Page 13 of Die for You

“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 fromShrekseems 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.