Page 4 of Die for You (Kiss or Kill #2)

Once the files stop loading, I click on the one dated the year she was born. When I do and see a baby, bundled in a pink fleece blanket with soft dark hair, I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I need to compose myself.

How could Gianna do this to her?

She was an innocent child. It’s nature versus nurture because Gianna made her this way. I have no doubt that, born to different parents, Valentina would have flourished and not been plagued with the demons that eat away at her soul.

I open my eyes and continue my search.

What shocks me, however, is that Aldo seemed to believe that Valentina’s father, serial killer Patrick O’Loughlin, was not actually her father. Aldo knew who her mother was, but it seemed he was on the hunt for Valentina’s biological father, as this would help him convince Valentina of the truth.

All I have is a name: Francesco.

But who is he?

I see the family tree he had pieced together and notice a Sister Margarette. This was Valentina’s supposed mother, which we know is bullshit. However, it appears that there is indeed a Sister Margarette who was friends with Gianna.

I have the photo evidence to prove it.

Sister Margarette was a sister at the orphanage, which explains Father Merry’s obsession with Valentina.

Father Merry clearly had a hard-on for Sister Margarette.

So Gianna dropped Valentina off at the orphanage doors, pretending that Valentina was Sister Margarette and Patrick’s daughter because it appears the sister did fall for the serial killer, but she never had his child.

Gianna exploited the sister’s immorality to cover her ass and abandoned Valentina, but why?

Why didn’t she want Valentina?

Was she doing it to save her own skin?

Or could it be perhaps she was doing it to save Valentina?

Valentina’s entire life has been a lie.

And I finally have the evidence to prove it. Perhaps no blood needs to be spilled between Valentina and me after all.

I have this proof in front of me, and I also have the whereabouts of Margarette—Orchard Parks State Hospital.

No doubt, she was put in here by Gianna to cover the truth, and because of Margarette’s sins, she went willingly as penance.

Valentina would have gone to see Margarette, believing this was her mother. So why didn’t Margarette tell the truth?

I suppose there’s only one way to find out.

Gianna has manipulated every situation to suit her and to control her own daughter. She is worse than I ever imagined.

Angered, I slam my fist onto the hard desk, seething.

How can someone be so fucking evil?

The door opens, and Bria pokes her head in. I slam the laptop shut because I don’t want her to see any of this. No one can.

If she notices my strange behavior, she doesn’t let on. “It’s time to go.”

Looking at my watch, I realize she’s right. I have been in here for hours, lost in Gianna’s web of lies.

“Everything all right?”

“Peachy,” I reply, unable to keep the irritation from my tone.

She doesn’t push.

We make our way toward the garage, where we have our pick of luxury cars. I decide on a black SUV.

I fired Aldo’s driver because I intend to keep my circle small. I don’t trust anyone, and every man and woman has to prove themselves. If I suspect they’re a rat, well, there are no second chances. This is the only way to gain respect.

Bria is quiet. But it’s clear behind that silence that her mind is deafening.

Bria was brought into my world for a reason.

I’m not one for coincidences. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be here.

The fact she was stealing her father’s drugs and selling them for a profit helps us out.

No one can know she was stealing, however, because this would reveal weakness on Aldo’s behalf and portray Bria as disloyal.

But she has the knowledge that I lack, and we need that to succeed.

I don’t care why she was stealing from her father. That was another life ago. Now, both of us must leave our old selves behind and rebuild to stay alive.

We pull into the old chocolate factory where I first met Aldo—seems fitting.

The nefarious scene is set in this derelict neighborhood because anyone who enters these streets doesn’t want to be seen. We mind our business and don’t cause any trouble. It’s a code that works because, like every person here, we’re all delinquents.

We make our way into the crumbling building, and it surprises me to see a lot more men than anticipated. Word has spread, and it seems we’re under the microscope.

Tonight is a test for us all.

We’re being closely scrutinized and sized up. Some men nod in respect, while others snicker among themselves at the two kids who are supposed to take over from a man who was respected and feared. Our reign will be challenged by those who think they’re superior.

Or by those who think they know better because of their age.

But little do they know that the shit I’ve lived through and the things I’ve seen make me feel a thousand years old.

And tonight, I’ll prove that to them.

I don’t carry any weapons because anyone can assert their authority by waving a gun around. No, I intend to gain respect the old-fashioned way—through fear.

Bria and I stand before a group of about thirty. The chatter dies down when I simply wait for them to shut the fuck up.

I eye each man, assuming each one is a foe, not a friend.

“I don’t care who you once were,” I commence with. “Or the part you played in Aldo’s business. Aldo is dead because he was careless. He died because he led with his heart. Love makes you weak.”

Gianna’s teachings are correct when it comes to war, and I hate that I sound like her, but I was taught by the best.

Bria stiffens beside me but doesn’t speak.

“Lesson number one: If you are vulnerable, your enemy will exploit that for their gain. You are all disposable. Don’t think you’re special, because you’re not.

I will replace you with some other chump who has something to prove.

No matter how determined you are, there is always someone hungrier, someone who will betray their own grandmother for the only thing that matters in this world—money.

“Gianna Ricci is our enemy. She stands between total control.”

“Isn’t she your mother?” One asshole up front snickers.

He’s young. At a guess, early thirties. He looks like he should be teaching kindergarten in his chinos and crisp white shirt, not out here with us malevolent bunch.

“Gianna adopted me, yes, but is she my family? The answer is no.”

“How do we know you’re not working together? Seems a little convenient that you enter the scene and Aldo is killed.”

I stare him dead in the eyes as he’s doing this to get a rise out of me. “What’s your name?”

He wasn’t expecting that question and looks at his friend for support.

Walking toward them, I tower over both weasels. “You need your friend to speak for you, is that right? Or perhaps you’re that fucking stupid you don’t even know your own name.”

His nostrils flare. “My name is—”

He never finishes his sentence because I punch him straight in the jaw.

He staggers back into the men behind him, but they push him forward, not wanting a part of his rebellion.

“Deaf and stupid, it seems. I don’t care what your fucking name is. But seeing as you can’t shut your mouth, I’ll call you Donkey.”

Donkey from Shrek seems like an appropriate nickname for this know-it-all.

He wipes his bloody lip with the back of his hand as he comes back to a stand.

“So let’s try that again. What’s your name?”

The man inhales through his teeth, but eventually, he concedes. “Donkey.”

I grin. “That’s right. You’re Donkey, and don’t ever forget it. Lesson number two: Don’t ask stupid questions.”

His acquaintance steps away from him, showing me that his friend is no friend at all. Other men grin, thankful they’re not in the firing line. But little do they know that Donkey has passed the test while the rest of them have failed.

And because of that, I choose him to be my right-hand man.

“We run this business my way. It’s time for change. I know how Gianna works. And I plan on using that to take the bitch down. Each and every one of you is on probation. Betray me, and I will take your fucking heads.

“There are no second chances. You fuck up, you deal with the consequences. So choose wisely. I ask for loyalty, and in return, you will be rewarded greatly.”

The men are quiet, and that’s because they’re weak. I suspect most will attempt to overthrow me. Or some will try to make a deal with Gianna.

Troubled times are ahead.

But I’m ready.

“Although I don’t care about you, don’t mistake that as me not knowing who you are…or who your family is.”

The silence is deafening. You threaten a man’s family, and they’ll listen.

“We’re done for now.”

The men look confused, like they were waiting for an epiphany. But there is none.

Tonight was for me to weed out the strong from the weak and for the men to see I am someone not to be fucked with.

This is personal for me, and with Valentina gone, I have nothing left to lose.

The men soon realize I’m serious and quickly scatter, no doubt to discuss whether I’m a suitable leader or not. But I don’t care what they think.

“Donkey.”

He walks toward me apprehensively and waits for me to speak.

“Congratulations, you now work directly with me.”

It seems he’s taken lesson two on board as he doesn’t ask any questions.

“You’re going to gather the names, addresses, and information on all these men. Think you can do that?”

He nods.

With that, Bria and I walk back to the car since there’s nothing more to say.