Chapter 33
NIC
I n any other circumstance, I’d want to take my time with this one. Make the pain last for days, not hours, but I have a beautiful fiancée and a newborn daughter to get home to.
Jonah and Gio have been locked in the basement of one of Dario’s safe houses for three days while I’ve been taking care of my little family and Vito has made sure it’s been an uncomfortable stay for them.
What happens next has taken a lot of thought, especially since Lorna has begged me not to kill Jonah. Despite what he put her through, and all that could have happened to her and our child, she still wishes to show him kindness.
I slide the brass knuckles over my fingers and grab the front tuft of his hair, staring at the boy, who was prepared to kill my family, right in his terrified eyes.
“I promised Lorna, I wouldn’t kill you.” I wait for him to show some relief before I cave my fist into his cheek, tearing open his flesh and sending his blood across the room. He already looks delirious when I release him from my hold, and watch his head rotate.
I hit him again, this time a little lower, dislocating his jaw so he can’t fucking scream. I don’t need to hear his pain, I can see it on his face as I slam my knuckles into his face, over and over, until his blood coats my hand and splatters over my face. Jonah Halloway will be disfigured for the rest of his short life, and I wonder how long that will be as I step back from him and wipe the taste of his blood off my lips with the back of my hand.
“Feel better?” Dario asks as I nod up the stairs to Vito, letting him know he can open the door. Amanté Greco takes his time, ensuring Jonah hears every one of his footsteps as he makes his way down the stairs. The boy’s eyeball is half hanging out the socket, but he still manages to look scared when he sees who’s joined us.
“I promised Lorna I wouldn’t kill you,” I repeat, smiling at the piece of shit as one of Amanté’s men unties him from the chair and drags him onto his feet. “But this man made no such promise.” I stand back and let Amanté take the floor.
“I’ve heard a story.” Amanté stands in front of the boy that killed his daughter, then spits at his face. “You know, all I thought about since I held my little girl’s hand in that mortuary, was how I planned to kill the person who put her there.” I feel a sting in my chest when I hear his words. I can’t even think about how it would make me feel to lose my own little girl. This man must be broken inside, but on the surface all I can see is strength.
“I can’t decide which one you deserve. So, I’m going to make you suffer all of them.” He looks back up the staircase and whistles, prompting two of his men to come down the stairs carrying a huge rectangular box. I watch as they untie Jonah from the chair, one gripping his legs and the other taking his shoulders. He wriggles like a fish as they place him in the box, close the lid on him, and nail down the corners.
“You took your time but you delivered him to me, eventually.” Amanté holds his hand out for me to shake. “I see you had some fun of your own.” He looks down at the knuckle duster which is dripping Jonah’s blood onto the floor and I decide to keep it in place as I take his hand and shake it. I’m sure Amanté doesn’t mind having his blood on his hands.
“He wanted to kill my girl. Goes without saying.” I shrug.
“He’ll suffer,” Amanté assures me before moving on to Dario, shaking his hand too, and lowering his head respectfully.
“Enjoy what they have in store for you, asshole.” He winks at Gio as he makes his way back up the stairs.
“We’re ready.” Dario waits until he’s gone before he looks to Vito and tells him to bring down our next guest.
Bianca Caprioli is still in the same dress she was wearing at the Macchetti’s charity gala, though she looks nowhere near as glamorous. Her makeup is smeared from crying, her hair is a mass of knots and as Vito guides her down the stairs and places her in the chair Jonah was in, she scowls at Gio like she hates him.
I can see that Bianca has something she wants to say, so I step over to her and release the gag from her mouth.
“You can’t kill me, my uncles will…They’ll...”
“What will your uncles do?” Dario focuses on her as he lights a cigarette and when she gives him no answer, he laughs. “I’ll tell you what they will do.” He steps closer. “They’ll see that their niece has put all they’ve worked for, in jeopardy by assisting this man in his deception and they will fall to their knees in front of me.”
“I had no idea about the plan to kill her.” She shakes her head and bursts into tears.
“I’ve spoken to both of your uncles, they are ashamed of you. They never wish to see you again.” Dario takes the blade from his belt and presses the point of it under her chin. “They told me that you belong to me now, that I should punish you as I see fit.” He smiles as beads of sweat pour from her forehead, and when he pulls back the knife she gasps in fear when he slices it through the ropes around her wrists to release her.
“Doing what I do, I come across some frightful people, Bianca. Men who disgust me. Men who I refuse to do any dealings with. But…” He grabs a fistful of her hair. “If I ever see, or hear of you being in my city, again…I will take you, and I will sell you to them.” She drops to the floor when he releases her, then quickly collects herself together and scurries up the stairs.
Gio’s eyes glance nervously between Dario and myself, probably wondering which one of us is going to kill him.
“I’ve made my choice.” Dario steps behind him and slowly undoes the gag from his mouth. “To manage a district is a great honor, it’s not just an opportunity to make money, and hold power. It’s a tradition that was set by my great, great, grandfather. One that's based on loyalty. You are not a loyal man, Gio. You are selfish and deceitful, you ordered for a woman and her child to be murdered so you could take that power.” I can see how much Dario wants to snap his neck, just from the tension in his hands, but a promise was also made to me, and Dario is loyal, so he won’t.
I wait for Dario to nod his head at me and step forward, taking my own knife from my belt and pressing it against the fucker’s throat.
I can feel his pulse beating against the blade as the fear takes over his senses and he starts to cry.
“At least, you can tell yourself you tried.” I shrug my shoulders as I slowly drag the blade across his throat, slicing him open and watching the soul drain from his eyes as the blood seeps from his wounds.
“You might want to take a shower before you go home,” Dario sniggers and when I look down and see the state of myself, I nod and agree.
“Thank you.” I go to shake my brother-in-law’s hand, but given the state of it he pats me on the shoulder, instead.
“You’ll have plenty of chances to make it up to me.” He smiles as he tosses me a set of keys.
“What is this?” I catch them and stare down at my sticky palm where they rest.
“That, my friend, is the key to your new home. Bruno Monti was taken into a hospice, five days ago. I assume that is what encouraged Gio to take action. Bruno has no family so his home is already empty, and there is work to be done. I need you to take over the district with immediate effect. I have spoken to his staff and they assure me that they will assist you in any way they can while you find your feet.
“Bruno’s staff, can they be trusted? If they were backing G–”
“Did you really think I would trust such an important job to a man I barely knew? Gio may have fooled some of my district leaders but as soon as I learned of his interest, I decided to make my own investigations. I sent out my eyes and ears and when it became clear that nobody in Long Island wanted him, I conducted a few private interviews with the housestaff. You should have had more faith in my decision-making, Nic.” He steps around me and starts heading up the stairs.
“I don’t know what to say.” I shake my head as I look down at the keys in my hand.
“Don’t say anything, just do what you promised to do.” Dario nods before leaving me with the keys to my own district in my hand..
I use the shower at 88 Newport Drive, and change into the spare set of clothes I brought with me. The journey back to my apartment doesn’t take long from here, and when I step out of the elevator I take a deep breath before I open the door and appreciate how good it feels to be coming home to them.
Today’s the first time I’ve left the house since our little girl was born, up until then, I’d forgotten that a world existed beyond our happy, little bubble. I open the door and almost choke on the smell of fresh flowers.
“Here he is.” Patsy rushes over to hug me. “How did the viewing go? Do you think they’ll put an offer in?” she asks, taking my arm and leading me toward Lorna. “Daddy’s going to have to sell lots of houses to keep you spoiled, isn’t he, princess?” She fusses over her granddaughter who’s currently being held by a very stiff-looking Kevin.
“I don’t think Nic has to worry too much.” Lorna, smiles up at me, looking as beautiful as ever, as she takes our tiny little bundle out of her stepdad’s arms and kisses her cheek. Seeing her being a mom is proving to be just as sexy as seeing her pregnant, and the way she’s handled everything that happened, only proves how strong and resilient she is.
“Come on, Kevin, we mustn’t outstay our welcome.” Patsy moves over to the chair and picks up her coat. “It’s been lovely to spend the afternoon with you both. I’m free anytime Nic has to work,” she tells Lorna as she buttons up.
“Mom, I don’t need a babysitter, I said I’d be fine.” Lorna smiles as she rocks our little girl over her shoulder.
How the fuck did I get so lucky?
“I know you are, dear, but the first few weeks can be overwhelming.”
“Well, as you can see, she’s not giving me any trouble.” Lorna glances down at her as she strokes her back.
“ She …also needs a name. We’ll leave you both to think about that. I sent another email of suggestions last night but I doubt you’ve had time to read it.” Patsy shakes her head at me before taking Kevin's hand and dragging him to the door.
“Call if you need anything,” she whispers to me under her breath as I see them out and once they’ve left Lorna lets out a huge sigh.
“Tough afternoon?” I kiss her cheek and take my baby girl out of her arms so I can sit down and rest with her on my chest. I’ve missed them both far too much than what must be normal.
“Mom’s great, but she doesn’t stop talking.” Lorna starts clearing up the living room and I reach out and take her hand, supporting our little girl’s head carefully with my other one.
She’s so small and delicate, I’m still scared I’ll break her but I read that she’ll feel much more relaxed if I’m confident in how I hold her.
“How was your meeting?” Lorna asks, nestling beside me and resting her head on my shoulder. There was no way I was going to say that I was tying up loose ends and take her away from these moments.
“It was good, but coming home was better.” I kiss the thick, black hair on my baby girl's head, and smile. It makes having the keys to my own district in my pocket seem insignificant.
“Mom was right, this little one does need a name.” Lorna bites her lip awkwardly. “We just can’t call her Baby Girl, forever.”
“Why, are you feeling jealous?” I tease her, and I know for a fact if I didn’t have something so precious in my hands it would earn me a smack.
“How about… Arella?” I look down at my sleepy girl and decide it suits her.
“It sounds pretty, do you know what it means?” Lorna looks as if she’s on board.
“It means angel or messenger. I think it’s fair to say that she came with a pretty big one.” I look up at the woman who gave me this beautiful gift and can’t imagine feeling anything other than love for her.
“Arella.” She tests the name out and nods her approval. “The most perfect and loved, pretty little disaster to ever happen.” Lorna leans down to kiss her soft cheek. “We got the message, little one,” she whispers before raising her eyes up to mine and moving up to kiss me.