Page 142 of Manacled Hearts

“That’s it, you look so much prettier when hope leaves your eyes and your life is in my hand,” he says on a tone he probably thinks sounds seductive, but I want to throw up.

The edges of my vision blur, the haze spilling in further as the air catches in my lungs, but a cold slither of hope presses against my ankle, reminding me it’s there, and I reach down to grasp it. A grin pulls at my lips, Frankie frowns, but the confusion turns to a gut-wrenching bellow when the blade of my knife sinks just under his ribs.

He releases my throat to check the wound, but I use his distraction to flip us over, straddling his thighs. I lift my arms high, holding the hilt with both hands, and as his eyes bulge and mouth falls open like a fish out of water, I slam the blade in his stomach with such force, the sides of my fist make him fold over, spitting blood.

The gurgled sounds coming from him scrape against the back of my throat threatening my stomach to turn over, so I pull the knife out and smash it right back in there. But the noise keeps happening, so I repeat the assault.

You’re making me sick! Stop!

I slam it in again. Then once more, and the gurgling twists to a whimper. It caresses against my senses, it soothes.

I crawl backwards away from him, my chest tight with unshed tears that burn behind my eyes. He’s still, his chest barely moving with weak breaths, mouth agape as he grasps to every ounce of air, and his gaze is fixed on me as he holds his palms over his bleeding abdomen.

“You were wrong… you’re the one who looks pretty when hope leaves your eyes, Frankie B.” I scoff, shaking my head. “What a stupid fucking name you get to bear while you die.”

Utterly ridiculous, like some guido who ended up on the wrong side of the tracks. Through blood pouring slowly out of his mouth he manages a weak, taunting laugh.

“You’ll die… a horrible death when he finds out,” he mutters.

Frowning, I cock my head, but he continues anyway.

“I wanted you to myself… but you’re worth less than cattle to him.” He takes so long to spit out the words between blood and staggered breaths, I’m losing my patience.

He’s referring to his boss, Bartiste. Killing his right-hand man will demand retribution, but The Sanctum is fully prepared to take him on.

“Save your breaths, Frankie. Your threats mean nothing.” I gather my knees to my chest as I watch the man who changed my life, waste away. I’ll sit here for however long I need to. I need to see this.

“My name…” He coughs, spluttering blood that looks black in the moonlight.

He whispers something, but through his dying breaths and the waves of the sea, I can’t make it out. He blinks slowly, eyes staying more closed than open.

I slowly roll onto my knees, getting just a bit closer to the man to see if his moving lips actually spew any relevant words. When his gaze opens to me, I can see the dying light peering back, and I smile. It’s the death of my nightmares.

“My name…” he says in a weak whisper, “is Franco Bartiste. He’s my father.”

He exhales one more breath as the light seeps out of his eyes, and my mouth falls open.

“Oh, my god.” I just murdered Roberto Bartiste’s son.

CHAPTER 35

FINNIGAN

I lost count of how many times I called her. How many times I roared in her voicemail, screaming for her to answer her damn phone. Then I pleaded to her…

I prayed to all the gods I stopped believing in that she is okay, that he didn’t do anything to her, that she hasn’t left me.

But she did. After I bared my pain to her.

The guys and I were in the office, hashing out a quick plan to tackle Frankie, when a few trail cameras and sensors were triggered out in the forest. It’s common, there are animals around here, too, and when we couldn’t see anything, that’s what we thought. But more were triggered, there was movement out of sight, through thick, tall bushes, and our minds were drawn to Bartiste and his men. Annika was already putting the kids to bed at that point, the others were safe tidying up through the house, but our security was on high alert and went to search. When they didn’t find anything, Madds, Vin, and I went out there too. We had to be certain since we needed to make sure our family was safe.

But then tires screeched on the road, and Carter called for us. When we joined him, he told us Loreley noticed Evelyn was gone. We thought she was somewhere in the house, just like the others since we had absolutely no reason to think otherwise. Just after, Evelyn texted her, and when Carter showed it to me as we all climbed in his and Ronan’s car, my heart sank.

I’m sorry, I wish there was another way, but it’s between Maya and I, or you all and I. So, it isn’t even a choice at all. I have to protect Maya, and if he is indeed setting a trap for The Sanctum, I can’t let them fall in it. Not since it was set so no one could come and save me from him.

I know this could be a mistake, but I can’t risk any of you. I hope you’ll understand. All of you gave me more than I could ever repay you for, a life beyond my wildest dreams, and I love you for it. If I don’t return, please, please make sure Maya is taken care of. I know it’s selfish of me, but I can’t let him win again.

I’m sorry.

---