48. Lucas
CHAPTER 48
Lucas
A chill settles over the night, bringing with it a sense of foreboding. I roll my shoulders, trying to loosen the tension that has been building since we first set out for the Fabietti mansion. We move through the shadows like predators; our steps are calculated and precise. Dominic walks beside me, his eyes focused ahead, every step purposeful. Our men follow closely, a silent army ready to strike.
The majestic mansion towers above us like a king on its throne, its grandeur mocking our humble presence. I can't help but think of Serafina with each step we take towards the imposing structure. No matter what happens tonight, this is all for her. Every move I make, every risk I take, it's all in her name.
"Enriquez," Dominic calls out, snapping me back to reality. With a nod from Dominic, we move forward.
The first shot pierces through the air, breaking the stillness of the night. In an instant, chaos erupts around us. Shouts and screams fill the space, blending with the deafening roar of gunfire. My heart races in my chest as I dive behind a towering marble pillar for cover. Gripping my weapon tightly, I peek out from behind my makeshift shield and spot one of the Fabietti guards approaching.
Without hesitation, I aim and fire, watching as he falls to the ground in a swift, fluid motion. The acrid smell of gunpowder fills my nostrils as I quickly scan the room for any other threats.
Once I see no immediate threats, I search for Dominic. I see him moving through the chaos, his powerful form moving with a sense of purpose and control; a force of nature, plowing through the fray with deadly precision. His presence commands respect, even in the heat of battle. In the blink of an eye, he takes down two men with swift, calculated shots.
"Cover me!" he barks, his voice cutting through the chaos like a knife.
"Got it!" I reply without hesitation.
I leap from my cover and join him in advancing towards the entrance. The grand doors burst open, and more Fabietti men pour out to meet us head-on. Without missing a beat, I let my fists fly, each punch fueled by years of training and raw emotion. Memories of my past fights flash through my mind—each victory, each loss, each moment that led me here.
"?Malditos Fabiettis!" Fucking Fabiettis, I snarl, my heart racing with adrenaline as I dodge a wild punch.
"Lucas!" Dominic's voice cuts through the noise. I turn just in time to see him dispatch another guard with brutal efficiency. He's in his element, a general on the battlefield.
"Almost there!" I shout back as I knock another guard to the ground with a powerful punch.
With each step we take, we draw closer to the heart of the opulent mansion. Every inch brings us nearer to Luciano, the man who once stood between me and Serafina. The mere thought of him ignites an unbridled rage within me, fueling my determination to finally give him the thrashing he deserves.
"Lucas, stay focused!" Dominic snaps, sensing my distraction.
"Lo sé, I know!" My response is sharp, a forceful exhale as I shake off the memories of him so close to taking what once belonged to me. Serafina's future.
Gunfire echoes around us, but I'm not afraid. Fear has no place here. I'm driven by something stronger. Love, honor, vengeance—all wrapped into one chaotic storm inside me.
"Let's end this," Dominic says, his eyes meeting mine.
We charge forward, the Fabietti mansion now a full-fledged battleground. Every punch, every step, every breath brings us closer to taking these fuckers down.
"Dominic, leave Luciano to me," I bark out my command to Dominic amidst the chaos surrounding us.
"Capito," he responds with a quick nod. We split up, each of us plunging deeper into the dark and winding corridors of the mansion.
I move through the dimly lit corridors, the sound of gunfire and shouts echoing behind me. My heart pounds in rhythm with my footsteps. Every corner turned is a step closer to Luciano.
A guard lunges at me, but I sidestep, delivering a swift punch that sends him crashing into an antique vase. It shatters, pieces scattering like the remnants of our shattered past.
I press on, my breathing labored and each movement calculated. Dominic's voice comes again, closer this time. "Luciano's room is upstairs."
"Understood," I reply, feeling a burst of adrenaline coursing through my veins. The air thickens with tension as I draw closer to my target.
Ascending the grand marble staircase, the noise of the war fades, and my heartbeat fills my ears, almost loud enough to drown out everything else. I press my back against the cool, painted wall next to the door at the end of the ornate hallway - this must be his room.
I reload my AR-15 with a steady hand before kicking the heavy wooden door open. The room is eerily silent and pitch black, but I know he's here. Every fiber of my being is on high alert as I cautiously move through the darkness towards my target.
My voice echoes through the vast expanse of the room as I demand, "Come out and face me like a man." My finger tightens on the trigger of my firearm as I slowly creep forward, scanning every dark corner for any sign of movement. My body tenses, anticipating his attack from the shadows.
With a creak, another door swings open, and he emerges, his arms held up in surrender. "I'm not armed," his voice echoes through the tense air. My eyes meet Luciano's and I can see the tempest raging within them, a reflection of my own inner turmoil.
I near him, my firearm instinctively pointed at his head, ready to defend myself if necessary. With a quick and thorough frisk, I confirm that he is not carrying any weapons. Satisfied that he is unarmed, I slowly lower my gun. I can't in good conscience take an unarmed man down like this.
I clench my fists, my body even more tense and ready to fight. "Let's finish this," I growl, the words heavy with months of pain and longing.
"It's about damn time," Luciano's voice is cold and detached as he mirrors my stance, his eyes locked onto mine.
We stand there, two warriors fueled by fury, each determined to prove their strength and settle what was started long ago. The anticipation builds as we wait for the first move, knowing that only one of us will emerge victorious from this long-awaited showdown.
"I always knew you wanted her," Luciano's voice trembles with anger, his eyes blazing with resentment. "Every time she walked into the room, I could see it written all over your face."
Luciano lunges first, a wild swing aimed at my head. I duck, feeling the rush of air as his fist whizzes past. He's strong, but I've faced stronger. Years in the ring taught me patience. Timing.
I swiftly dodge one of his punches. "And when she vanished without a trace, I knew it was your doing." Luciano growls, his voice dripping with venom and anger. His dark brown eyes blaze with fury, and for a moment, I see the boy behind the man—lost and desperate. "It's too bad the attack didn't end you - or her for the matter."
This bastard thinks that admitting his involvement in the shooting at my gym or the attack to Serafina in Mexico will cause me to make a stupid mistake. But he clearly underestimates me. Instead of succumbing to anger, I turn the tables and provoke it in him. "She couldn't stand the thought of being with you," I retort, dodging a jab to my ribs. My voice is steady and controlled. "She practically begged me not just to make her come but to help her escape your grip."
"You fucking asshole!" he roars, charging at me. This time, I'm ready. I pivot, my right hook connecting with his jaw. He stumbles but doesn't fall. He sneers, wiping blood from his lip. His smile is twisted, malicious.
"And she loved every second of my cock pumping my seed into her!" I shout, my breath labored and ragged. We circle each other, sweat trickling down our foreheads, two predators locked in a dance of death. Every punch, every block, is a step closer to ending this.
I shouldn't be divulging all my secrets to him, especially not at the expense of Serafina's memory. Still, as far as I'm concerned, my secrets will die with him tonight. Besides, a surge of satisfaction washes over my body at the sight of his jealousy consuming him.
"Figlio di puttana," son of a bitch, he hisses, straightening up. His movements are slower now, more deliberate. But his rage fuels him and makes him dangerous.
A devious grin spreads across my face, taunting him as I dodge his sloppy left hook effortlessly. His eyes widen in panic as he desperately throws another swing, but it sails harmlessly past me. His movements become more frantic as he unravels before my eyes.
I unleash a brutal combo with precision and speed - my left jab followed by a powerful right cross. The impact causes him to stumble, barely able to keep himself upright.
"Ti ucciderò," he vows to kill me, his voice breaking. His punches are wild now, erratic. I dodge them easily.
"Try," I challenge, my knuckles aching as they connect with his cheekbone. He crashes to the floor, gasping for breath.
"This is for her," I whisper, raising my fist for the final blow. But before I can strike, the door bursts open.
"?Mierda!" I curse, spinning around. Luciano's men flood the room, guns drawn, faces set in grim determination.
"Finish him!" Luciano's voice booms over the chaos. The glint of their weapons catches the light as they all aim at me with deadly precision. My heart races as time seems to slow down, my mind searching for a way out of this situation.
"Dominic!" I bellow, hoping he's close enough to hear. But I stand my ground, fists still clenched. If this is how it ends, so be it.
"Any last words?" Luciano croaks from the floor, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
"Yeah," I say, meeting his gaze. "Even if you kill me, Serafina will never be yours."