Page 114 of Die for You

The pain in my shoulder is incapacitating, but I persevere.

“This here is your host, Gianna Ricci. And as none of you know because she’s a gutless woman, she is my mother.”

The crowd is unsure if this is halftime entertainment. Or perhaps one of those art house performances that make no sense. So they dare not make a sound.

“I am Valentina Ricci, and Saint Maria’s Orphanage was my home until Gianna “saved me.” But she only adopted me, her own daughter, to shape me into the person you see today.

“So thanks…Mother.”

The term of endearment is anything but.

Saliva dribbles from Gianna’s chin as her head droops to her chest.

“Gianna is a drug dealer, she kidnapped her own granddaughter and used her as bait…and she’s a murderer. Tonight’s ploy was to raise money not for the orphanage, but for herself. But I suspect most of you knew that. I also suspect that most of you are liars, con men, and just all round fucking horrible people.

“The reason I know that is because no one has called the police. In a society where we’re glued to technology, no one is posting a live feed on their socials for the world to see, and the reason for all this is because you don’t want your peers knowing who you really are.”

And this is why I know I won’t suffer any backlash for this very public execution.

No one wants their name associated with tonight and the scandal that will follow. But like curious drivers who can’t help but look when passing an accident, these perverts can’t look away.

“So hear me now, forget this orphanage exists. Not a single child will be going home with any of you. Youwilldonate, however, and your generosity is greatly appreciated. So please, dig deep.”

My eyes flicker as unconsciousness tackles me. But I push past it.

“You will not forget me…because I won’t forget you.” I look closely at the faces in the crowd, and when my gaze lands on the only one who matters, I instantly feel better.

Lenny walks toward the stage, and I know it’s finally over.

He climbs the steps, and in his palm, he holds the knife he killed Bria with. He offers it to me.

“My entire life, I always wondered what was wrong with me, and now, I see that…nothing is. I’ll see you in hell, Mommy dearest.”

Gianna smirks as I slash the knife across her throat. She doesn’t make a sound. It doesn’t surprise me. Even in death, she refuses to surrender.

Her blood gushes out, coating my face and chest. I stab the blade into the incision and begin severing through tendons and tissue as I cut off her head.

This elicits hysteria, and the crowd runs from the ballroom, afraid they’re next.

Once the cut is deep enough, I twist and tear the head from her shoulders. Her body, which is leaning to the left, slides to the floor with a squelch.

With her head in my hand, I limp from the stage and through the crowd.

The remaining guests can’t look away, but they don’t make eye contact with me either. They know better—a new Mafia queen is in town.

Lenny walks beside me as we head back to the chapel. I don’t know why, but this place grants me solace.

We enter, and I see Lenny has placed Bria on a pew. He’s also put out the fire. I place Gianna’s head on the altar. The macabre scene is one I commit to memory because the blood, the power—it’s ours.

And just like always, the bloodlust claws at my skin, awakening the hunger that demands to be fed.

Lenny grabs me by the throat and arches my neck backward. He stares me deep in the eyes as he leans down and licks the blood from my face. Like a cat licking away the cream. To most, this act is revolting, but to me, it’s carnal and animalistic.

He sweeps his tongue along my cheek before skimming it across my trembling lips. He’s being gentle as I am severely wounded, but my body has suddenly forgotten that I am shot and beaten, as it wants to be manhandled.

“Fuck me,” I demand against his lips. “And fuck me hard.”

Lenny smirks, cupping my throat harder. “Since when do I take orders?”