Page 100 of The Don's Deadly Assassin

“Move, Camela,” Vincenzo warns, his eyes on Matthiera, who stands behind me.

"No," I say firmly. "Killing him won't change anything.”

"Change?" Vincenzo seethes, his finger twitching on the trigger. "He murdered my brother, Antonio! He deserves to die!"

"Vincenzo, please," I plead, my voice cracking with emotion. "I understand your pain, but there must be another way.”

"Get out of the way, Camela!" Vincenzo shouts again, determination etched across his face.

I swallow hard, a knot forming in my stomach as I make my choice. With a final glance at Matthiera's gasping form, I shove him aside, out of the path of Vincenzo's gun and summersault forward to kick the gun right out of Vincenzo’s hand. Vincenzo spins, the gun flying in the air, disappearing into some nearby bushes.

"Damn it, Camela!" Vincenzo shouts, clutching his hand. "Why did you do that?"

I don’t answer, turning back to see if Matthiera escaped. Behind me, there’s nothing but emptiness. The snake has slithered away, vanishing into shadows and I can finally breathe in relief.

"Where did he go?" Vincenzo hisses from behind me. I turn to see him scanning the land with wild eyes. He looks like a coiled spring ready to unleash its energy at any moment.

"Matthiera is resourceful," I reply. "He could be anywhere by now."

"Why did you stop me?" Vincenzo’s voice is hoarse, strained. "After everything he's done, he deserved to die."

I take a step toward him, hands raised in a placating gesture. "I know you're hurting, Vincenzo, but killing him won't undo the pain or bring Antonio back."

He scowls, and steps back from me. "He has to pay for his crimes. If you hadn't interfered, I could have ended this tonight."

"Revenge won't give you peace," I say softly. “Matthiera did the same as I did when I killed the professor. It wasn’t personal. Please, Vincenzo, think of Matthiera as an extension of me.”

“He’s nothing like you,” Vincenzo spits back. I can see the pain and rage at my betrayal burning in his eyes.

“But he needs guidance. I wasn’t this person, Vincenzo. Not until I met you. You know as well as I do that there's more to Matthiera than meets the eye. He may have made terrible choices, but deep down, he's still the little boy I trained with, the boy I once trusted.”

Vincenzo looks away, jaw clenched. I can see the war raging inside him, grief and anger battling with the knowledge that he and I don’t see eye-to-eye for the very first time since we started this.

"I believe in redemption, Vincenzo" I whisper, my determination flaring up like an ember refusing to be extinguished. I need him to see I’m right. "And I believe that there's still a chance to save Matthiera, to bring him back to the person I knew before all this darkness consumed him. If I can’t believe that, then how can I think I’ve changed? I extend the same courtesy to him that you and I did to me.”

After a long moment, his shoulders slump in defeat. "I don't know if I can forgive him for this," he admits, voice rough with emotion. “For Antonio.”

I step forward and wrap my arms around him, offering what little comfort I can. "You don't have to forgive him," I whisper, "but promise me you won't seek vengeance. Promise me you'll try to let me handle this."

He's silent for a long moment. "I can’t make any promises. But I’ll stand by you until things become clearer."

The words are a balm over the ragged edges of my worry. As long as Vincenzo is by my side, it’s all going to be okay.

Chapter 38

Vincenzo

We drive back in silence. Camela stares out of the window, breathing evenly. I know what she asked of me, for some more time to help Matthiera be free, the way she is.

And I know what I said. That I’d stand by her.

But, my thoughts are flowing through me like a poisonous river, making me question my own words. It’s rare for me to go back on what I say, but all I can think of is Antonio. So much happened tonight, that I got overwhelmed and let Camela think I could get past the Snake’s assassination of my brother, just to get out of that god forsaken place.

But, it feels like Antonio’s with me right now, his soul raging for vengeance. Had someone killed me, my brother would have him by the throat. Why then, should I let this go?

Besides, Camela's whispered pleas felt like a knife twisting in my gut. I grip the steering wheel until my knuckles turn white, my chest heaving with barely contained rage.

After everything we've been through, everything I’ve forgiven, she still couldn't understand that I too might need something to know she loves me too. I’ve forgiven her acts of treachery and her lies, because I love her.

---