Page 168 of Caught in the Crossfire

“Think about Leona,” he urged. I almost barked a laugh. As if he’deverthought about her outside of how we could use her. “She’d never forgive you for this.”

“I’m not searching for her forgiveness,” I spat. How dare hespeak of forgiveness? “I’m searching formyfather’s. I’m purging this Family and eliminating anyone who stands in my way.Anyone.”

Resolution surged through me. No one would stand in my way. No one.

It was time.

I plunged my knife into his stomach. It slipped through his muscle and fat. Whatever mess Luciano left behind, I swore I’d clean up. I’d make it right. It all started here.

“You stabbed me,” he murmured. Blood coated his teeth and bubbled at the edge of his lip.

I should have felt something, but I was numb. Emotions over logic. His death would finally give me, and this city, peace. I’d fix his drugs. I’d get rid of the traffickers. I’d deal with the guns and the feds.

I’d figure out a way. That’s how it had always been.

His eyes focused on something over my shoulder. The door hinges creaked. “Leona.”

I whirled automatically, pointing my gun at the intruder.Leona. My stomach dropped to my feet. No.No.I never wanted her to see this. How long had she been there? How long had she been watching? Her face was ghastly white while her hand gripped the door’s threshold. She looked like she was about to throw up.

“Fuck,” I hissed.

I had to get this under control before it slipped through my fingers. I reined in my emotions. I let logic take over again.

I didn’t hesitate. I shot Luciano in the head before either of them could draw more attention to this. The plan had to go off without a hitch. He didn’t need to spew any more lies, especially not to her. He was done. His body collapsed to the ground.

“This can’t be real,” she whispered.

My jaw clenched. Itwasreal. Luciano was the reality I’d lived with since I was fifteen years old. She never had to deal with himthe way I had. She never had to make the choices I had to make. She wasn’t made for this world.

I had to be the villain.

My brain knew the right choice to make, even if the heart buried inside my chest rebelled. I had carried the weight of this Family by myself for years, what was another hundred pounds?

With her father dead, she’d want to get as far away from me as possible. She’d leave the Family. That’s what I wanted the entire time.

Luciano’s blood dripped from my face, and I wiped my forehead with my sleeve. I let my voice be empty and cold. “Leona. It’s unfortunate you had to see that. I had hoped Cas would keep you downstairs.”

I had to get her under control. The plan had to continue, but she was frozen in the doorway.

Elio and David were waiting for my commands. I pressed my finger to the comms in my ear. “Clear the house. He’s dead. All men converge now.”

“What’s happening, Max? What have you done?” Her eyes were wide as they stared at her father’s dead body.

My heart twisted in my chest at the pain and disbelief on her face. I inhaled a breath, suddenly frustrated that she could be so oblivious to everything. “I’m doing what your father didn’t have the balls to do. I’m fixing his mistakes.”

David’s voice crackled in my ear. “People are scrambling. The gunshots tipped off the other Heads. They’re leaving now and taking everyone with them.”

“Hurry. Find Caspian and subdue him. I’ve got Leona.”

“Max…” she whispered. “What’s happening?”

If it came down to it…if I had to choose between her and my plan to purge this Family from the inside out…what would I choose?

My face hardened. I knew the choice my father would make. I knew the choice this Familyneeded.

She turned on her heel and ran.

I followed, forcing myself to bury the emotions threatening to burst forth. I’d worked too hard for all of it to get fucked up now. Ineededto get her under control before she ruined everything.