Page 34 of The Devil's Fire

“How much?”

“Twenty grand each.” I pulled my gun out. “You gave me your word!” Roberto yelled.

“I did.” I turned around and fired a bullet between Giannino’s eyes.

“What the fuck man?” Roberto shouted.

“For raising a cunt.” I said calmly as I walked over to him and crouched down to his level.

“I gave you my word that I would spare your life. But you see…” I nodded towards Lorenzo. “My brother’s soon-to-be wife was there. I wonder what my dear brother has to say about that.” I let out a wicked grin.

Lorenzo bared his teeth, pulled out his knife, and grabbed a fistful of Roberto’s hair.

“My brother is into carving faces these days. I’m sure he will make you pretty.” I smirked and gave his cheek a light pat.

“No–wait!” The sound of agony reached my ears as I walked away.

I stopped in my tracks and threw the bud away when I saw Carlos. I looked around and scoffed when Gaetano was nowhere to be seen. That bastard always took the easy way out and let his men do all the dirty work for him.

I changed my direction heading straight for Carlos, who was happily talking to his mates. I grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, as my fist went back and punched him repeatedly in the face.

I watched the blood smear out all over his face, but I didn’t stop until I heard the satisfying crack when I broke his nose. No one tried to stop me. No one dared to stop me, knowing I would send any one of them six feet under.

I pushed him up against the car, gripped his jaw tightly, and pulled my knife out. The cries of pain sent pleasurable waves down my spine as I slowly cut deeply into his face.

“If you touch her one more time, I promise I will make sure you beg for your death.” I tightened my hold on his jaw, and he quickly nodded.

I looked down at his hands, grabbed the one with the ring on it, and stabbed my knife right through it.

He choked out in pain as I pulled it out, wiping my knife on his shirt before letting him go.

I walked back to my car, now desperate to see the woman who had captivated me with her big, innocent, green eyes.

fourteen

Althaia

“Do you think they are okay?” I asked our driver, Dario, for the hundredth time.

The poor guy was trapped in the car with me and Cara. I bombarded him with questions and couldn't stop talking. Surprisingly, he remained friendly and showed no signs of annoyance. He kept reassuring me that no one had been harmed, and everyone was safe. But his words failed to provide the comfort I had hoped for.

“Althaia, please shut up and leave Dario alone. He said they are okay, so hush!” Cara scolded and I clamped my mouth shut.

I kept checking my phone to see if I had gotten any messages. I texted Michael a while ago to see if he had heard from my father, but I still had no reply. I sighed and leaned back in the seat, staring out the window, hoping to distract my mind. Then my phone finally buzzed in my hand.

Michael: I just talked to him,

and he told me what happened.

Shit, Althaia, are you okay?

I breathed out a sigh of relief and texted him back.

Althaia: Thank God!

Yes, we’re okay and safe.

We are on our way to the Bellavias’.

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