Chapter 65
65
Lorenzo
Four months later…
Time passes slowly.
Not every moment is tense… or at least to be present when I’m home, but outside the walls of this house it is. For me, at least.
Victoria pretends everything is normal.
But it’s not.
It feels like we are constantly holding our breaths, no matter how much I insulate my wife from the danger she is currently in.
Victoria has settled into our estate. She smiles and tries to be a good sport, but I know her too well. I know the exact pitch of her voice and the facial expressions she makes when she’s pretending she isn’t afraid.
Grant’s last gift… the hit on Victoria’s life hovers over us at all times.
We just don’t discuss it.
There’s no point.
I’m searching for which network he put the hit in.
Every few weeks, something happens, and we think we get closer to a clue, but so far, nothing has panned out. Which, in turn, makes me violent.
I want to kill someone, which is why Rafe has been doing most of the digging. I’ve kept myself busy murdering everyone who has ever wronged my uncle. I’ve been branded the family lunatic. A name I’ll happily wear if it means I can exercise my blood lust without bringing it home to my wife.
Tonight, Rafe walks into my office with a folder and a look that says he might make my day.
He drops the folder onto my desk with a shit-eating smile. “You owe me big p>
My fingers tap the wood twice. “If this is another dead-end, I’m going to gut you p>
“Easy there, killer. Save it for the real bad guys p>
I flip the folder open.
Inside are photos. A name is on a Post-it, attached to a grainy shot of a man. The next piece of paper has an address on it.
I look up slowly, meeting Rafe’s gaze. “What is this p>
“If my source is right, he’s part of it. One of the assassins. He took a contract to kill someone p>
My jaw tightens so hard my teeth ache. “Good. Because that means he might be going after Victoria since her contract is still active p>
I sit back and stare at the photos. “Tonight p>
Rafe’s brows lift. “Just us p>
I stand, shrugging into my jacket. “You want me to bring a parade? Maybe invite my uncle so he can personally execute me when he finds out the mess I got myself and Victoria in p>
Rafe follows me out of the office, boots thudding on the marble floors. “Matteo keeps asking where you keep disappearing to p>
I glance sideways at him, expression bored. “If my cousin is worried about me, he can ask me himself p>
Rafe snorts as we make our way outside. We don’t tell anyone we’re leaving. Not the guards. Not the staff. And especially not Victoria. I hate that part the most.
The only people in the world who know she’s here are the handpicked staff who have no loyalty to anyone but me.
No one who works for my uncle besides Rafe can know, but he knows the gravity of the situation and to keep his mouth shut, and my wife hidden.
The car ride is quiet, and I check my weapon twice to kill the time.
Rafe finally breaks the silence first. “You sure you’re ready to do this p>
My fingers tighten into a fist at the thought. “No. But I have no choice. Nothing can happen to her p>
My wife is in danger because of me, and she will only be safe because I’m willing to become worse than the men hunting her.
Because I will do whatever I have to.
Protecting her is my only concern.
Forty-five minutes later, we approach the address on the slip of paper Rafe gave me. We park two blocks away and walk the rest of the way.
The air is cold enough to sting, but I’m so revved up I barely notice. My blood pumps furiously in my veins, begging to kill everyone who will hurt Victoria.
Rafe stops moving, crouching behind a dumpster as he points into the air. “Camera’s there p>
I slide in beside him, shoulder nearly touching his. “Okay, so we stay close to the wall and cling to the blind spot p>
Rafe’s mouth twitches. “Sounds like a solid plan p>
“It’s our only plan, so it better be.” I shift my weight, checking all the angles.
Rafe breathes out through his nose. “Let’s hope this goes easy. I have a date later tonight p>
“You have a date?” I watch the side door.
“Nah, was just trying to see if you were paying attention p>
“Fair,” I concede, then motion. “Move p>
We cross the open stretch fast, low, slipping into shadow. The side entrance is two steps away. We’re almost clear. Then it happens.
I hear a faint click.
What the fuck is that?
Rafe freezes, and my blood turns to ice.
Without any warning, a silhouette appears behind us, gun already raised and firing.
A shot echoes through the air.
Before I even know what’s happening, Rafe is running toward me, pushing me. Then he jerks beside me, his hand flying to his side. I barely have time to understand what’s happening when Rafe falls to the ground.
My lungs seize. It’s like I’ve forgotten how to breathe. Time slows in a way that makes everything crueler. Rafe’s mouth opens, but no sound comes out at first.
He saved me.
Rafe inhales sharply, eyes snapping to mine. “Run,” he tries to bark, but it comes out like a cough.
I don’t run.
I explode.
I sprint straight at the shooter.
All rational thought has left my brain.
The only thing I can think about is death.
The hitman steps back, startled, trying to aim again. I slam into him. The gun goes off, the bullet biting into the wall behind me.
My fist meets his jaw.
Bone crunches.
He staggers.
I grab his wrist and twist hard until the gun hits the ground.
He swings at me, but I duck.
I use the moment of him being distracted to drive my elbow into his ribs.
He wheezes, but I don’t stop. I don’t think. I just hit.
All the fear I live with pours into rage as I hammer him with my fists.
I drive him backward into the wall. He tries to claw at my jacket to stop me, but now that I have him where I want him, I’m functioning on pure adrenaline.
I slam his head against the concrete.
Once.
Twice.
Blood pours from the back of his head.
“Killing me won’t stop it,” he rasps, voice rough with amusement.
I snarl, shoving my forearm against his throat. “Who runs the network p>
His eyes glitter. “You think I’d tell you p>
“Tell me,” I bite out, shoving harder.
He laughs. Actually, fucking laughs. Rage flashes so hot behind my eyes that my vision goes blurry.
I pull back my fist.
But a shot rings out again.
The hitman’s head snaps to the side, his body going slack.
For one stunned second, I just stare at him.
Then I turn and see Rafe with a gun in his hand, and the other hand pressed hard to his bleeding side.
His face is pale now. “Couldn’t let him live,” he manages, then his body slumps forward.
I’m at him in two strides, grabbing him from the ground.
“Stay with me,” I order, but my voice cracks as I haul him upright.
Rafe’s breath shakes. “Don’t… don’t do that p>
“Do what?” I snap, dragging him toward the car.
“Sound… scared p>
“I’m not scared p>
Lies. I am. I don’t know how I’ll do this alone.
Rafe coughs, blood speckling his lips. “That’s… the stupidest lie you’ve ever told p>
“Quit talking. I need to stop the bleeding.” My fingers rip his jacket open.
Blood. So much blood. My stomach roils from the sight.
I press my palm to the wound, hard.
Rafe hisses, grabbing my wrist. “Fuc-fucking shit—you trying to kill me?” He coughs, blood bubbling up out of his mouth.
“Shut up, Rafe. I need to concentrate p>
Rafe’s hand tightens around my wrist, forcing me to look at him.
His eyes are glassy, yet calm.
It terrifies me.
“Find them p>
“I can’t.” My jaw clenches. “He didn’t give me anything p>
“You-you will,” he stutters out.
My throat closes. It feels like a part of me is dying as I watch him struggle to breathe. I lean closer, pressing harder against the wound, panic creeping in like a tide I can’t stop. “Don’t talk p>
Rafe coughs again, then winces. “You—you fix things p>
I stare at him, helpless, furious, shaking. “You were supposed to drag me out of hell p>
Rafe’s gaze softens. “I did p>
I swallow hard. “Not like this p>
Rafe’s breath trembles. “Listen to me p>
My eyes lock onto his.
Rafe’s voice drops, raw. “You can’t… you can’t kill the whole world alone p>
“I can,” I snap, tears burning behind my eyes like acid, “and I will p>
Rafe’s mouth curves faintly. “For her p>
“For her,” I confirm.
Rafe’s eyelids flutter. His hand slips from my wrist.
“No,” I bark, grabbing his hand and squeezing hard. “No. Don’t you dare p>
Rafe’s lips part, breathing shallow. “Lorenzo…” The way he says my name sounds like an apology, and a tear falls from my eyes.
I press my forehead to his. “Stay p>
Rafe exhales, weak. “Tell… tell Matteo I died doing something… noble p>
A broken laugh tears out of me. “I will p>
Rafe’s mouth twitches, and a silent sob lodges in my throat.
Rafe’s eyes drift, unfocused. “I-I’m…” he whispers.
“Rafe?” I rasp.
“S-sorry,” he breathes out, eyes shutting.
My throat tightens so hard it hurts. “Rafe,” I whisper.
He exhales once.
For a second, I don’t move.
I just stare at him, waiting for him to inhale again.
It never comes.
I have no idea how much time has passed, but my hands are still shaking.
It feels like my chest has been ripped open.
“Fuck,” I whisper, voice breaking. “Fuck p>
My palm stays pressed to the wound even though I already know it doesn’t matter.
Because letting go feels like admitting it.
Admitting he’s gone.
Admitting I’m alone.
I squeeze my eyes shut and take a breath.
By the time I make it home, it’s nearly dawn.
The gate opens, and I park before heading into the house.
The guards straighten, and no one speaks because the blood on my shirt does all the talking.
I don’t remember walking through the foyer. I just remember Victoria’s footsteps rushing toward me.
Her hands catch my arm, fingers digging into my sleeve, as her eyes fly over my face and then down to where the blood is.
“Not mine p>
Her mouth opens, but no sound comes out at first.
We stare at each other for a second before she speaks. “Where’s Rafe p>
My throat locks.
I can’t answer.
The silence can answer for me.
Victoria’s body shakes as she takes my hand and guides me down the hall.
“Come on.” Her voice is low and careful, like a loud sound might shatter me. “Shower p>
My feet move because she makes them.
Next thing I know, the bathroom lights flick on.
Victoria turns the water on.
The sound fills the room, soft and steady. I step into the shower fully dressed.
She follows me in, also fully clothed. Together, we stand under the water as it runs down our bodies, washing away the blood.
The fabric of our clothes clings to us, but we don’t move. Hell, I don’t even blink. I don’t do anything except breathe.
Victoria steps closer, hands hovering, uncertain. Her fingers land on my wrist, gentle. “Lorenzo p>
I stare straight ahead.
Her voice softens. “Talk to me p>
My mouth opens.
But still, I have no words to say. Nothing comes out. Nothing makes sense.
Her arms wrap around me. Warm. Real. Alive.
She’s alive.
And Rafe is dead.
My hands finally lift, slow, shaking, closing around her like I’m terrified she’ll vanish too.
Her voice vibrates against me. “Is he really.. p>
The water keeps pouring down on us.
“Yes,” I manage, voice rough.
Victoria’s arms tighten, as a sound leaves her—small and broken.
Then she pulls back just enough to look up at me, eyes glassy but steady. “Go to Matteo,” she whispers. “He’ll help you p>
I shake my head once.
Victoria frowns. “Why p>
I swallow hard, forcing words out. “I can’t risk it,” I rasp, voice raw. “Not with the hit.. p>
Victoria’s brows knit. “But p>
“I can’t let anyone know where you are.” I cut in, harsher than I want, but I can’t risk her life. “Not until every assassin tied to that network is dead p>
Victoria’s hand slides up to my jaw, thumb brushing lightly like she’s anchoring me. “You can’t do this alone p>
“I have no choice. To protect you, I will. No matter how long it takes p>
She nods as tears fill her eyes. Then she takes a deep breath, shoulders straightening.
“Okay p>
My chest aches. “Yeah p>
Victoria nods slowly, her chin lifting. “I believe in you p>
“It won’t be too long p>
Her mouth curves faintly, sad but steady. “I trust you p>
The words land like a vow.
Like a lifeline.
And for the first time since I watched Rafe die, I feel something other than rage.
I feel fear. The fear of failing her. Of losing her.
Of becoming the kind of man who burns down the world and still can’t protect the one thing he loves.
Victoria presses her lips to my cheek. “You’re not alone,” she whispers. “I’ll always be by your side p>
I hold her tighter under the water, pretending everything will be alright for her sake, but in my head, where the monster lives, a new promise forms…
I will find the network.
I will tear it apart.
I will kill them all.