Page 29 of Die for You

“Where is she?”

Seeing as her house burned down, I need to know where she is and what she has planned.

Alfonso tries to shake his head, but I hold him tight. “I won’t ask again.”

His breaths are stunted, and the fear is reflected in his eyes. He knows this is the end in one way or another. “She’s at—”

But his sentence will remain forever unfinished because although I am still holding his head, it’s no longer attached to his body. It’s been blown to bits by a high-powered rifle. The bottom half of his face is no more.

Peering down, I see I am merely holding the top of his skull. His eyes are wide open, forever frozen in this macabre moment in time. Blood gushes from the open wound.

Lifting what’s remaining of Alfonso’s head, I present it for all to see. “Nice to see some things haven’t changed, Gianna. You’re still nothing but a coward.”

She destroys anyone who gets in her way. I wonder why I’m still standing.

Tossing Alfonso’s head into the river, I nod at the three men.

They return the gesture, a sign of respect which I earned tonight. I wanted them to see that I am not someone to be fucked with. And by Gianna’s actions, they were able to see she is far from honorable.

I’m about to leave when I notice Lewis is gone.

I don’t bother with formalities as I take the bag from Donkey and quickly go in search of my brother.

I instantly regret my decision to bring him along as I now see that, regardless of our blood tie, he will never be loyal to me. Too much has happened. Therefore, I need to be smart because I know Lewis will betray me if given a better offer.

And my suspicions are confirmed when I turn the corner and see him talking to Gianna.

He averts his gaze guiltily when he sees me, while Gianna merely smiles a cat-who-got-the-cream grin.

It takes all my willpower not to shoot her where she stands. All this would be a lot easier if I did, but I can’t, and that’s because she’s the only person who knows where Valentina is.

Alfonso’s words hit harder now because this is a prime example of me being held hostage by Gianna.

“I wish I could say this was a pleasant surprise, but that would be a fucking lie. You’re so obsessed with me,” I quip while lighting a cigarette. “Perhaps you need to get yourself a hobby? I hear Australia is nice this time of year. Maybe you can get in touch with your spirit animal and wrestle a crocodile or two.”

Sending her away to the farthest country from here sounds divine. Too bad it’s just a pipe dream.

“Sarcasm? I taught you better than that.”

I can’t help but scoff. “You taught me to be a heartless killer. Come to think of it, it’s probably the only valuable lesson you ever taught. And now you think you can do the same to my brother?”

Lewis takes a step away from Gianna.

But the damage is done.

Gianna won’t be happy until she destroys everything I love. She knows she can’t break me, so she will let me do the job for her.

“I’ll go wait in the car.” Lewis excuses himself, understanding my patience for him is wearing thin.

Gianna wears her usual attire of all black. From afar, she is a beauty, but up close, she is far from beautiful.

“How about you stop playing grown-ups and give up? It’s embarrassing,” she says, examining her red nails.

“Well, I wish you’d fuck off and die, but we can’t have it all.”

I can do this all day.

“We need to come to some agreement, Lenny. You cannot win.”