Page 28 of Die for You

“You can’t trust anyone,” says Tian, looking me dead in the eye.

“No, you can’t, which is why those untrustworthy need to be made an example of.”

The air is thick because of whom I stand among. We’re all sinners. This couldapply to anyone, and it does. No man is more worthy than the other because here is where the wicked thrive.

But it’s time I make an example of those who challenge me.

“I don’t believe in delaying gratification, which is why—” I turn to look at Alfonso. “I am going to cut out your spleen and fucking feed it to you.”

It takes him a moment to realize I’m serious.

He frantically looks at a building to his left, which is such a rookie move, as he just confirmed my hunch as fact.

“Gianna!” he screams, running to the warehouse.

Donkey doesn’t hesitate and pulls out his gun, shooting him in the thigh.

He drops to the ground, howling in pain.

If I were capable of liking anyone, Donkey may be an all right guy.

Alfonso drags his body along the ground, and a zigzagged trail of blood follows him. His legs are useless, which is why I stroll without haste to where he is desperately lugging his body to safety.

He peers up at me when I stand in front of him, arms folded.

“Please, I’m sorry,” he splutters, and I have secondhand embarrassment for his cowardice. “I didn’t have a choice.”

“We all have a choice,” I calmly state, tossing my cigarette to the ground, inches from his face. “You just made the wrong one.”

I butt out my cigarette, only to kick Alfonso in the face seconds later, instantly breaking his nose and sending three teeth somersaulting through the air.

His anguished screams don’t make a lick of difference. He was a dead man walking the minute he sided with Gianna.

Yanking his head back by his hair, I look him dead in the eye. “What does she want?”

“Please,” he sobs hysterically, begging I show mercy.

But I am done being played. “You have three seconds.”

“I have a family.”

“One.”

“Please! I’ll do anything!”

“Two.”

“All right! She wanted me to steal Aldo’s laptop!”

“Why?”

“I-I don’t know. I swear it! All I know is that she wants to destroy you.”

“How?”

“She said…she said, in the end, you’ll destroy yourself with the people you love.”

Exhaling slowly, I compose myself because this reminds me of all the fucking lessons she “taught” us when we were kids.