Condemned to You

Chapter One

“What the fuck is going on!” The tone in Luca’s voice was one that I’d never heard before.

Bethany snapped out of shock and sprang onto her knees, bowing in forgiveness as she pled, “Luca, please. Have mercy.”

Getting to my feet, I watch Luca sneer at his sister then look to me.

The look of betrayal in his eyes lasted a mere few seconds before it turned into pure rage.

Lunging toward me, instant regret of my choice to continue seeing Bethany clawed within me.

Although I was certain Luca would kill me right then and there, fighting for my life at the moment didn’t seem worth it.

I did this to myself and if death was the punishment, then so be it.

Luca’s fist hit me straight in the jaw causing me to hit the ground. My face hit the wooden floor and the sound of a gun click sent a shiver down my spine.

“Luca! No!” Bethany screeched.

Luca ignored her. “Look at me!” He demanded from me.

Turning onto my back, I look up to meet my fate.

Out of all the crazy shit I’ve done, never did I think I’d go out like this in a cowardly manner.

I’ve made too good of a name for myself to have my life end like this.

The torment in Luca’s eyes made me ashamed.

I was the one person he could trust wholeheartedly, the one person he never had to question.

Bethany was sobbing. “Please. Luca don’t do it.”

Rushing in were their mother and sisters who were shocked, speechless, and mortified at what they were looking at.

Bethany naked sobbing on the sofa, while I lay naked on the floor with Luca pointing his gun at me.

They didn’t need to be told what had happened.

Rita quickly threw a blanket over Bethany.

“Luca,” their mother voiced, unsure whether she could tame the situation. “Not here.”

Alfie enters the room, “How did Emilio get here so fast?” When he realized what was going on he stopped in his tracks.

“Alfie,” Luca stated as he lowered the gun, “Take him to the box.”

There was a sigh in the room from all the women except Bethany who threw herself onto me.

“NO!,” She cried. “You can’t!”

Yanking her by the arm, Luca pulled her off of me. “I should make you watch.”

Pulling her arm out of his grip, she shouts, “I hate you Luca! Kill him and I’ll kill myself!”

“I have a spare in the car,” Luca replies holding his gun up.

“Luca!” The women shouted in unison.

The look of emotional damage in Bethany’s eyes killed me.

She stood there in shock. Her relationship with her brother had become quite strong the last few years, and Luca has lightened the reigns.

Once she was married to Pio, Luca felt that the obligation of taking care of her fell onto her husband.

This moment had forever destroyed their sibling bond.

Bethany’s sisters escorted her out of the room.

His mother, Nicoletta, stood looking at him with a loss for words. She didn’t even bother looking at me. She was a kind woman to those she loved, which really were only her children and grandchildren – in her eyes the rest of us were just privileged to be around the DeCarlo family.

“Luca,” she said calmly, “If Bethany takes her own life because of your actions, I will hold that against you til I die.” She walked out of the room before Luca could respond.

“Alfie!” Luca shouted as he snapped his fingers.

Alfie looked like he jumped out of his skin and realized he was given a command he hadn’t fulfilled. He rushed toward me helping me to my feet.

Placing his gun inside his holster under his suit jacket, Luca looked at me as though he didn’t know me. I didn’t say a word. What could I possibly say to make this less tense?

“E tu… Emilio.” Shaking his head in disappointment, Luca waited for me to answer and when I didn’t, he got angry. “Well! What do you have to say for yourself?!”

Sorry wasn’t going to cut it. Neither was begging for forgiveness. For Luca, actions spoke louder than words and no words could repair the damage that had been done.