Page 117 of Die for You

Lenny had Bria buried with Aldo. No ceremony was held. Lenny had his men take care of it. He was the only one in attendance. We don’t speak about her because I know it hurts him. He made a choice. But it’s evident he did love Bria, just how I do Nico.

But it’s a different kind of love.

I pick up the pace and venture into the thick, wooded area that extends around the back. The blaring music spurs me on.

I think back to Gianna and her death. I wish I could kill her again and again. But it’ll never be enough.

This is the end, but I can’t help but feel…incomplete. Like this ending is so…anticlimactic.

The bad guy loses, and we live happily ever after? I can’t help but think, where’s the catch?

After living a life filled with pain, perhaps I’m not used to being happy.

But something feels amiss.

I can’t put my finger on it.

Something just doesn’t feel right.

Like this was too easy?

Seems ridiculous because nothing has been easy thus far.

I’m just being paranoid.

Things are good. But too good?

I’m wrestling with my mind, and it’s exhausting. Who needs enemies when you have the brain of an overthinker?

I try to ignore this bad feeling in the pit of my stomach and run faster. But my anxiety only builds. The faster I run, the closer I feel to falling into an abyss.

My smartwatch beeps as my heart rate is dangerously high.

I suddenly can’t breathe.

I come to an abrupt stop and bend forward, placing my hands onto my knees. I’m still tender from my injuries, but this is different.

I feel sick. Like something is very, very wrong.

The same feelings overwhelmed me when I was in Italy. When Lettie was taken.

No, please, God. Not again.

I take off toward the house, focused on nothing but getting there. I get back within minutes.I run toward the gym, hoping they’re still there, but they’re not.

“Fuck!” I curse.

My feet can barely keep up as I sprint to the house and burst through the back door. I give the housekeeper the fright of her life. “Sorry, Betty, have you seen Mr. Shepherd?”

Betty looks afraid to answer. “No.”

Panic turns to hysteria when I hear Lettie scream.

It’s coming from the porch.

My sneakers skid on the polished floors as I shoulder open the front door. “Lettie!”

However, once outside, I don’t understand what I’m seeing because it’s not what I thought. Not by a long shot.