Page 91 of Retribution
“But why?” Rebecca whines playfully. “Can’t we just stay here?”
“Here” is Pismo State Beach in California. It’s a glorious day, the sky a deep blue and the sun shining brightly in the spring skies. We’ve spent the morning boogie-boarding and digging for clams, holding hands while walking through the sand and collecting seashells.
Rebecca has grown so much over the past couple of years. While I still sometimes catch her with a faraway look and a tear in her eye, her strength has only increased, becoming so much stronger than I could have ever imagined. She now carries herself with a quiet confidence that both makes me proud and want to be inside her at the same time. It’s sexy as fuck.
Not that I don’t want to be inside her all the time anyway.
“Come on, I have a surprise for you,” I say, putting my hand out to help her up. She takes it and once she’s standing, pulls me into a hug.
“You’re too good to me, Trey. All these surprises will spoil me.”
Chuckling, I squeeze her tightly until she squeaks, then let her go, wrapping one of her curls around my finger. Placing a kiss on the tip of her nose, I grab our blankets and take her hand, leading her back to the car.
“You deserve to be spoiled,” I reply belatedly as she gets into the passenger seat, swinging her legs out for me to brush the sand off. Once she’s as clean as I can make her, I hand her the sandals she nearly left behind, then get in the driver’s seat, glancing at the clock on the dash.
Perfect timing.
It takes only fifteen minutes to get to my destination, and I can see Rebecca’s surprise as I pull into a vacant space alongside a park. Jumping out, I open her door for her, taking her hand in mine as I lead her over to a comfortable-looking shaded grassy area. The bright sun trickles down through the maple leaves, leaving a sun-dappled pattern on the ground. Sitting down, I pull her down to me, arranging her just so between my legs, her back to my chest as I support her weight.
As I hold her, I revel in the closeness, the feel of her body pressed to mine. Flicking my gaze upwards, I repeat my daily mantra.Thank you, Father, for the gift of this woman.All those years of loneliness, of being The Unseen, of pain and despair—every minute was worth it in the end, to be able to call this woman mine.
A loud whistle rings out, and a group of boys run out onto the field in front of us. I can feel Rebecca’s surprise when the soccer game commences, her head turning towards me, confusion in her eyes. Placing a soft kiss behind her ear, I murmur, “Number twelve.”
Her head whips around, eyes following the striker as he runs the ball up the field, scoring a goal.
Brownish-blonde curls and large aqua eyes. A smile so big and proud as his friends cheer his goal. He’s the spitting image of his mother.
It took Eric and I working jointly together for over a year to find him. Tony D'Angelo, never one to turn down an opportunity to make money, sold any male babies born to the “sisters” on the black market. Caleb Evans, number twelve and future soccer star, had been one of the lucky ones. Although his parents had resorted to the black market to obtain a baby, they were good people. Eric and I had made sure of it, checking into their background extensively.
The D’Angelos were heartless fucks, refusing to tell the girls what happened to their babies, letting them assume the worst. Maybe it was some sort of tactic to get them to behave, or maybe they just enjoyed the pain it caused them. Whichever it was, we’ll never know. I’m just glad they are rotting in the ground, their souls surely burning in hell for all eternity.
Rebecca’s shoulders shake with silent sobs as she watches intently for the entirety of the game, her breath hitching with pride when he scores goal after goal. The other team doesn’t stand a chance against him, and when the ref calls the game, a man runs out on the field, lifting his son up onto his shoulders. A woman, all smiles, walks up beside them, giving the boy a high-five, fierce pride shining on her face as she looks up at him.
Rebecca watches as they walk off, laughing and talking, the mom doing a little dance as she holds her husband’s hand and chats to their son.
“She’s a stay-at-home mom,” I whisper into her ear. She cocks her head, listening without tearing her eyes from the happy family. “She tried for years to have a baby, but never could. She goes to all his school functions and soccer games, and is a loving mother, one any child would be lucky to have.”
“And him?” she asks, gesturing towards the father.
“He’s a pediatrician.” She stiffens beside me, remembering Doctor Ortega. “He’s one of the good ones,” I assure her. “They have a large home not far from here. He loves going to the beach, has lots of friends, does well in school. He’s happy, Rebecca. Happy and loved.”
She turns slightly, pulling my head down for a kiss. “Thank you, Trey,” she whispers against my lips before turning back, watching the family until they are out of sight.
I once offered to stand at her back, giving her the retribution she so clearly needed. And in return, she gave me my redemption. Our souls are one, forever entwined, and I will love her into eternity.
We stand, brushing the grass from our backsides, then holding hands, leave the park and the past behind. Ready to face our future as one.
Always.
Epilogue 2
Vincenzo Gianelli
Minutes After The Gas Attack
White-hot anger courses through me as I watch my traitor of a daughter form her little army.
She actually believes she can take me down. Me, the king of New York City.
It’s time to come home, Princess. I’ve got a cage with your name on it, and when I’m done punishing you, you’ll join your mother in hell.
No one betrays me and lives to tell the tale.
Not even my flesh and blood.