24. Luciano
Luciano
I call Alessandro on the way out of the parking lot. “It was Joshua Matthews.”
There’s a beat of silence before he speaks. “Her ex?”
“Yes. I sent Cassian his phone number and asked for his location. That motherfucker is dead,” I tell him.
“How’s Fallon?” he asks.
“Awake and already being sassy.”
Alessandro laughs. “I liked her the moment she almost slapped you. She’s good for you. She’ll be a good addition to this family.”
My chest warms. I love Fallon, and I would no matter what, but it means a lot to have Alessandro’s blessing.
“Thanks, man,” I glance at my phone as an incoming text pops up. “I just got a location from Cassian to a hotel. Meet me there.”
We end the call. When one of our SUVs pulls up in front of me, I climb into the back, with two of our men in the front seats.
As I forward the address to Alessandro, all I see is Fallon’s sweet face. The bruises he gave her. The bandage covering the large laceration on her head. The marks around her neck.
He hurt her.
And now I’m going to end him.
By the time we arrive at the hotel, Alessandro is pulling in just behind us, along with three other cars full of our men.
A sense of calm settles over me as I get out of the Escalade and walk toward the hotel room that Cassian confirmed was in Joshua’s name. I have to give it to him, he knew he should hide from us after what he did. He’s just not as smart as we are.
The room is on the second floor. I knock calmly and wait, listening to movement inside. A moment later, the door opens, and Joshua’s bruised eyes widen.
The center of his face is a nasty shade of dark purple, and his nose is swollen to twice its normal size.
That’s my fucking girl.
My fighter.
Without a word, he tries to slam the door closed again. I step in and slam my fist into his face. He flies backward, falling to the floor, but I reach down and yank him up by his shirt.
“You put your hands on my girl.”
He starts to say something, but I don’t want to hear anything this asshole has to say, so I punch him again, smiling ruefully when he collapses to the floor again, blood spilling from his mouth.
The rage I’ve been holding onto since the moment I got the call cracks. I grab his throat and pull him up again, shoving him against a wall so I’m crushing his windpipe.
Joshua claws at my wrist, but it does nothing to stop me or release him. Alessandro stands near the door, watching, while our other men keep guard outside.
Fear creeps over his face the longer I hold him, gasping for breath. When he starts to turn blue, I release him, letting him slide down to the floor in a heap.
I pull my gun and grab his hair, yanking him up again. Not wanting to spend any more time away from Fallon than necessary, I put the end of the silencer to his temple.
“There’s no mercy when it comes to my family.”
Before he has the chance to say anything, I pull the trigger.
Joshua drops, and silence fills the room.
I stare at his body for a moment before I turn and leave the room, with Alessandro following behind me. When we pass our men, Alessandro gives them instructions to take care of the mess and handle any fallout.
It’s time to get back to my girl and bring her home. To my home. And I’m not sure I’m ever going to let her leave.