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“I will not give a bastard the pleasure of judging me,” he spits in Italian.

His words have the intended effect. My men stir and my hands curl into fists. Luca takes a step towards him from behind me but I raise my hand to stop all movement. I lean forward, making sure to look my uncle in the eye.

“Careful how you speak to me in front of my men,zio.”

He laughs, “Your obscure parentage remains your biggest weakness, Damien. It’s the reason I sought to remove you as well. Because despite all that you’ve done, you’ll never be a Luciano.”

My eyes narrow, “So you admit to seeking my removal. You actively worked against the head of this family? Your Don.”

“You are not my Don!” he bursts out, fighting against his restraints. “You’re nothing, Damien.”

I lean back in my seat with a small smirk, “On the contrary, Antonio. I am everything. I control everything. Including your life at this very moment. I won’t take your life though. All you have to do is beg for it and swear fealty to me,zio. Like I said, familicide is not in any way appealing to me.”

“But matricide is,” he states. “I’m supposed to believe you would show me mercy when you didn’t show the same to the woman who birthed you?!”

“You’re just full of vile accusations tonight, uncle. Aren’t you?” I question with a raised eyebrow, pretending like his words don’t bother me.

Truthfully they do and his death just became inevitable. Nothing under the sun will save him now. But I can always take his punishment a step further. He’s testing me, pushing me to actions I would rather not indulge in.

“Kill me and be done with it, Damien. I have nothing more to say to you,” he says, his nose turned up in disgust.

“Now where’s the fun in that?” I question, my lips turning up in a smile. “Since you saw it fit to run your mouth,zio, I’ll make sure to carve it off first and then maybe I’ll practice some other surgical skills on you. You remember I always wanted to go to medical school.”

He doesn’t flinch at my threats. But I know exactly what to say in order to get to him.

“And when I’m done with you, my dear cousin, Gian will be next. Don’t worry, zio. I’ll make sure he follows swiftly behind you in death,” I promise.

Antonio’s eyes grow wild.

“Don’t you dare lay a hand on my son! Gian is innocent! I was the only one involved in the plot. If you touch him, I’ll-”

“You’ll do nothing!” I snap. “Because you’ll be dead.”

He exhales a harsh breath and I don’t miss the way the tremble that goes through him.

“You don’t go after families, Damien. It’s your rule. Only the sinner deserves to die,” he reminds me.

“Sinners. Plural,” I correct. “Gian’s as much a sinner as you, uncle. I know he was involved in the plot as well. But don’tworry, I won’t touch your daughter or your wife. I’ll protect them in your death. After all, they’re my family as well.”

“No!” he says shaking his head, terror in his eyes. “Spare my son. Damien, please!”

“I tried to show mercy,zio. You yourself called mediavolo. The devil doesn’t show mercy to those that scorn him. You will die. And Gian will too,” I pronounce before my gaze lifts to the men standing behind him. “Gag him.”

My uncle starts frothing at the mouth trying to fight against his restraints. He makes asinine promises of retribution in Italian that I don’t much care for. The room falls silent once he’s gagged. I rise to my feet, taking off my suit jacket which Luca swiftly collects and places on the desk beside me.

I walk up to the various equipment spread out on the desk. Torture devices. A knife with a shiny brass handle looks especially appealing. I pick it up after rolling the sleeves of my shirt to my elbows.

I turn back to my uncle who is still fighting against his restraints. The terror in his expression clear as day. What’s amusing to me is that he’s barely scared for his own life. He’s scared for his son, Gian and what he’ll have to suffer once he’s gone.

He doesn’t have to worry. Gian will get a quick death. My cousin and I never really got along but that doesn’t warrant death. He was just unlucky to have been born to a man like Antonio. Weak with tall ambitions is a surefire way to end up dead. It’s a miracle my uncle lived this long.

“Luca, place him on the table,” I order. “Let’s begin.”

Soon enough, screams of suffering and agony fill the room. And yet I don’t stop. I feed on the fear that could have very well been mine had I not been in this position. Had I not fought to behere. is filled with wolves willing to kill and murder anyone to get to the top. To achieve heights that they could only dream of.

Unfortunately for them all, it doesn’t matter how many obstacles they throw at me. I’m ready to destroy anything and anyone in my path.

When I return to my office, time has run out. Whatever satisfaction or high I got from murdering those who tried to stand against me is gone. I practically fall into my seat, feeling empty.