Chapter Forty-eight Daniel
Chapter Forty-eight
Daniel
My eyes scan the hallway, my brow furrowing at the address I just drove up to.
A normal apartment building. Too normal.
It’s… confusing. Quiet. Elegant. Too fucking ordinary for the things I’m about to do.
I mean, sure, this could be the perfect place to stay undercover. A normal apartment in a normal neighborhood—it all just makes sense for Lorenzo to hide here. But still.
I stop in front of the his apartment door, but something in my gut makes me hesitate. I know this is the place. I know he’s inside.
So why does it feel... off?
It doesn’t matter. I have to do this. I knock, ignoring the warning bells in my head.
Is it dumb? Maybe. He could open the door and put a knife in my throat within seconds. But he’s my uncle.
And I at least want to make this a proper reunion before I put a bullet in his fucking skull.
My hand tightens around my gun as I wait. What if my intuition is right? What if I’m going too fast with this?
Fuck, what if he got a whole group of men in there? What if he set all this up?
For a few seconds, there’s nothing but silence. Then—footsteps.
Quiet but noticeable. They stop right in front of me. My breath holds.
The door opens. And then, brown eyes stare into mine.
And for a split second, I refuse to believe this man—this soft, unassuming-looking man—is the one trying to ruin my life.
But fuck, I can’t let my emotions get in the way. If I keep being this soft, I’m gonna get myself killed.
And that, preferably not by my uncle.
The air between us is thick with something I can’t name. My hand stays on my gun, tucked in the back pocket of my jeans. He watches me carefully, brows furrowed in confusion. Then—
"Daniel? Is that really you?"
Obviously. Because whether I like it or not, we look alike.
More than I’d want. More than I’d like.
I see a bit of myself in his face. I hate it.
"Sicuro, uncle," I say coldly, devoid of any emotion. His smile falters.
"Is something wrong? Did something happen?"
I scoff. "Did something happen? You’re seriously asking me that? Are you fucking joking?"
Lorenzo’s expression shifts into something more concerned. "Daniel, I don’t understand—"
"You don’t understand?" I cut him off, stepping closer. "Tell me, uncle, how do you think my mother died, then?"
His face twists in horror.
And that pisses me the fuck off.
Acting like he has no idea? Like he isn’t responsible for the shit my family has been drowning in for months?
"Are you done acting surprised? We should get to business." I walk past him without waiting for an invitation, taking my gun into my hand.
Lorenzo doesn’t move. Doesn’t even breathe.
"Her funeral is next week, you know."
Still no response.
And fuck, that scares me.
Am I being reckless? Walking in here like I own the place, knowing the kind of men he’s in contact with?
Focus, Daniel. Focus.
His voice finally breaks the silence, strained and barely above a whisper.
"Is she really dead?" But he doesn’t turn around to look at me.
I smile. "What do you think, hm?"
Every breath he takes, every twitch of his fingers, every second of his fucking existence fuels my hatred.
Because this asshole not only acts like he did nothing—he looks like he genuinely doesn’t understand why I’m here.
Like he truly believes he’s innocent.
And that? That makes me want to put a bullet in his head even faster.
His lips part like he’s about to say something. I don’t give him the chance, though.
In one swift movement, I pull my gun and aim it at his forehead.
His expression shifts from confusion to pure, undiluted terror.
"Are you insane, Daniel? Do you want to kill me?" He stumbles back, hand reaching blindly for the doorknob, but he refuses to break eye contact.
"Yes. Just like you tried to get me killed. You’re the reason my mother is dead. And you’re gonna pay for it. With your useless life.”
My grip tightens on the trigger. My jaw clenches.
His lips tremble. "No, no, listen to me, please… Put that gun away. I don’t know what you think I did, but I am innocent!"
His fingers finally find the doorknob.
Shit.
He twists it, pulling the door open. I can’t let him escape. I need to put an end to this.
I need to show this motherfucker what happens when you fuck with the Caruso family.
"Daniel, please—" Bang.
The gunshot rings out, deafening in the small space.
Lorenzo jerks back, his legs failing him before he can even step out. His body crumples, crashing to the floor.
Blood splatters the carpet. Stains the walls. Pools beneath him in deep, dark crimson.
For a second, everything is still. It feels... easy. Way too fucking easy. A slow grin tugs at my lips.
Finally. Fucking finally—I’m able to put an end to all of this. I am the one to stop all of this.
I’m able to fucking prove my father’s point. That I’m good enough to be boss.
That I can protect my family and my employees.
I tuck my gun away and shove his body under the bed. It won’t do much, but I don’t need it to. I just need to make sure people don’t have the chance of discovering his body before my men do.
I text Hayden. Get the guys here. Fast.
The moment I step outside, the weight lifts. The chaos, the betrayal, the fucking war—it’s over.
I step outside, scanning the hallway. Broad daylight. If someone sees me now, I’m screwed.
I fucking hope his neighbors are at work.
Blood pools in front of my uncle’s apartment, a dark crimson stain spreading across the floor. Most people are at work during this time, but still—cleaning this up without anyone noticing is a fucking gamble.
I just hope my men know how to do this quickly.
I mean, sure, I have connections who could make a case disappear, but not having one to begin with? That’s even better.
The elevator dings. The doors slide open.
Three of my men step out, walking past me without hesitation. I nod at them, smirking.
God, I love this feeling. Power. Control.
After weeks of suffering, it all ends now. It’s like coming up for air after drowning.
I exhale as the elevator doors close, my heartbeat finally slowing.
Then—another chime. The second floor. The doors open again.
Shit. What if this person notices the small beads of blood on my shirt? What do I tell them?
A familiar voice cuts through the space.
“Oh my God, you’re safe.”
My breath catches. My body tenses.
Then—small, gentle arms wrap around me.
"Pretty, what…?"
What the fuck is she doing here? Didn’t I tell her to stay out of this? To keep away from dangerous shit—especially today, when all of this is coming to an end?
Hayden steps in behind her, and the death glare I send him could burn through steel.
He shrugs like he can hear my thoughts. “Listen, I tried to stop her, but you know how she is.”
Jennifer pulls back, her hands cupping my face. Her fingers trail over my cheek—soft, careful.
Then I see it.
Blood.
My uncle’s blood. On her finger.
Her lips curl into a small, knowing smile when she catches me looking behind her.
"Don’t look at him like that," she murmurs, voice smooth as silk, pulling my focus back to her.
God, I love this woman. I need her to be mine. Forever.
"He didn’t want to let me come, but I had to," she continues. "I needed to see you. I needed to know you were okay.”
Shit.
"Baby, why are you here?" I scoff, but there’s no real anger behind it. "I love seeing you, and I appreciate your worry but… now? Here? Really?"
She tilts her head, smiling like I don’t have blood on me. Like I didn’t just kill a man.
Like she didn’t run away from me a few days ago.
"I had to prove to you that I love you. No matter what." Her voice drops, the words laced with something deeper. "Is this enough proof after last time?"
My gaze flicks to her shirt.
"There’s some blood on your clothes, baby."
She shrugs. "So what?"
Then she steps even closer, her fingers trailing up my jaw. Her touch is warm. Her eyes—soft but filled with fire.
"I told you already, Daniel." Her lips brush mine before curling into a smirk. "I’m proud of you. I always will be. No matter what. I’m so thankful that you do anything to protect us…”
Fuck.
A slow smile spreads across my face as I grab her waist, pushing her back against the elevator wall.
My lips crash into hers, and she gasps into my mouth. Her body melts against mine as we lose ourselves in the kiss—deep, desperate, like we need this more than air.
I press against her, and we both moan at the friction. We don’t care about the blood, the danger, the world outside this elevator.
My tongue slides into her mouth, both of us not wanting to stop this moment.
Right now, it’s just us.
Then—
Ding.
The doors slide open.
"Uh, guys?"
I groan, pulling back just enough to glare at Hayden. “You ruined the fucking moment.”
He grins. “Stop dry-fucking and let’s get the hell out of here.”
I sigh. I hate it, but he’s right. We need to move.
The three of us step outside. Hayden heads for the car while I make my way to my bike. Jennifer follows him, but just before she slips into the car, she turns back, her blue eyes locking onto mine.
I smirk at her. She smiles back.
Fuck. That’s my pretty girl. All mine.
And I’m never letting her go.
Nothing will ever change that.