91 | I came to end you
The stage shimmers like a fever dream.
Aurelia laughs softly at Vincent's theatrics, the host spinning tales of each treasure... But I'm lost in her, in the way she's claimed this night, claimed me, her hand warm in mine, her ring a vow against my own.
Out of nowhere, my phone vibrates and I slip it from my pocket, Nico's name flashing.
I stand, murmuring an excuse to Aurelia, my voice calm to hide the anxiety spiking in my veins, and step into the shadowed edge of the room, answering the call. "What is it?"
Nico's voice is grim, every word a warning. "One of them is here tonight, boss. I'm watching CCTV footage and one of them slipped in, dressed like a guest."
My blood runs cold, my grip tightening on the phone, the gun and knife in my suit suddenly heavier.
"Where are they now?" I ask, my voice a growl, my eyes scanning the crowd for her, for Aurelia, safe but unaware.
"Second floor, near the east wing," Nico says. "I've got eyes on the monitors, but it's tight, could be Ciara, could be Leonardo. I'm locking down the exits."
"I'll be there," I say, my voice lethal, final. "Keep her safe, Nico. No one gets near Aurelia."
I end the call as I return to my wife.
"What's wrong?" she asks me, her eyes searching mine, and I hate the worry I've put there, hate that I'm hiding Ciara's survival.
I lean down, kissing her lips, pouring my soul into it, because I need her to feel me, to trust me.
"I'll be right back," I murmur, my voice promising, and she nods, her fingers lingering on mine, letting me go but tethering me to her.
I leave the ballroom, the music fading as I climb the stairs, the second floor off-limits, a silent realm of closed doors and secrets.
My gun's in my pocket, the knife a cold weight in my sleeve, and I'm ready to end this, to spill blood for her.
The hallway's empty, shadows pooling, and I move like a predator, checking each room. The guest rooms, the therapy room with its gray walls, the bathrooms with their marble chill, but nothing, no one, until I reach the last door, ours.
I step inside, and at first nobody seems to be in here, but the balcony doors are open, curtains fluttering in the night breeze, and my pulse spikes, instinct screaming.
I step towards the balcony silently, the gun in one hand, the knife slipping into the other, and I spot Ciara standing on the balcony, her blonde hair in loose waves, her body draped in a white wedding dress, like she's playing bride to a groom who's never been hers.
Her eyes light up when she sees me, delusional, unhinged.
"You finally came back to me," she says, her voice trembling, a smile breaking through. "I never thought you would come, Luciano..."
I sigh, letting the knife rest loose at my side, playing her game for now, because she's a snake, and I need her close.
"Yeah," I say, my voice flat, stepping forward, my eyes locked on hers. "I came for you."
I came to end you.
Her smile widens, tears spilling, and she clasps her hands, her voice mad.
"I love you so much," she says, stepping toward me, her dress catching the moonlight. "I'm so glad you came back to me. Now let's get married, start over, like it was meant to be."
I almost laugh, the insanity of her words a twisted mirror to my own madness for Aurelia, but hers is empty, a lie.
She's insane, lost in a fantasy I'll shatter.
"Go on," I say, my voice low, encouraging, as I move closer slowly.
"You were with my younger sister," she continues, her voice forgiving, like she's granting me mercy. "I can forgive you for that because I faked my death, so I understand, you needed to marry Aurelia or else you would lose your position. But I'm here now."
"Okay," I say, my voice smooth, a predator's calm, my shoes silent on the floor, the knife's weight a promise in my hand.
I'm close now, close enough to see her tremble, to smell her perfume, floral and desperate.
She rambles, her eyes distant, lost in her tale.
"I met my father, my real one, and he helped me.
I lived with him in Italy after I faked my death, then came back to New York.
It was so hard, Luciano, being thrown aside.
My mom loved me, but Mr. Nash hated me, and my brother didn't care. But you care about me, right?"
I'm in front of her now, the balcony railing at her back, the backyard sprawling below.
Her eyes search mine, pleading for me to take her back. I tilt my head, my voice cold, stripped bare.
"Ciara," I say, my words slow, "I don't care why you faked your death.
I don't care if you were running from enemies or seeking attention.
I don't care if you love me or hate me. I don't care if you're the victim or the villain.
You could be the most innocent person in the world, and it wouldn't matter to me. "
Her eyes light up with delusional and she says, "You love me?"
I shake my head, my lips curving, not into a smile but a blade's edge.
"I never loved you," I murmur, each word a knife, "because my heart was never mine to give, it's always belonged to Aurelia Costa, and I'd carve it out before offering it to anyone else."
I pause, letting it sink in, watching her hope fracture.
"And whether you're innocent or not,whether you hurt a million people or no one, I don't care because you need to be dead, or else Aurelia will never love me.
I could have the world at my feet but I'd still crawl to her, because it's her love that I crave, like a curse I begged for. "
Ciara's face crumples in despair and before she can cry, I pull the knife, its blade flashing as I drive it into her chest, piercing her heart.
"I'd do anything for my wife," I say, my voice low, as she gasps, blood blooming on her white dress, a mockery of her fantasy. "But I'd never do anything for you."
I twist the knife deep into her chest before I pull it free, and she collapses, but not in my arms because my arms are only made for my wife.
Ciara's body falls to the cold balcony floor, blood pooling around her, soaking her white dress, her eyes dimming as life fades.
I feel nothing, no guilt, just a calm, because this was for her, for Aurelia, for the love that's my madness.
I wipe the blade on my sleeve, the crimson suit hiding the stain before I step back, my hands steady, my heart racing only for the woman who is downstairs, waiting for me to come back.
I whisper into the night, my voice raw, "Aurelia Costa, you have no idea the twisted things I'd do, the lives I'd take, just to make you mine and keep you forever."