Page 173 of Morally Corrupt

"He killed him," she whispers in my ear.

"And Matthew and Quinn Gallagher? How do they figure in your plans?"

"My father saved Matthew's life when he was a kid. He owed me, and I always cash in. That they saw the advantage of further working with me is their good foresight. But now that I'll have you, they're just extras."

"You actually expect me to join you? Are you screwed in the head?"

"Of course, you'll join me. You're extremely easy to read, Adrian. Did you look carefully at your wife?" He smirks and motions towards Bianca.

Her eyes widen in understanding before staring at me with horror.

"He poisoned me," she spits the words out.

"Remember the myth of Hades and Persephone. She only had to eat a few pomegranate seeds to forever tie herself to the dark side." He goes over the chaise and picks up an empty tea bottle.

"In your wife's case, only a few sips, and she's forever dependent on me."

"What did you give her?" Panic overtakes me.

"She's fine… for now. It's a slow-acting poison. I can give you an antidote for it every thirty days. But if she doesn't take it, then she'll die in excruciating pain. Is that what you want for your beloved wife?" Jimenez's mocking tone makes me clench my fists in frustration.

"Don't. Please, don't." Bianca takes my hand once more and pleads with me. "Don't do this. I'm fine with dying; you don't have to subject yourself to this madman."

"Are you fucking crazy?" I yell at her, taking her face in my hands. "How could you even ask me that?"

"Please, Adrian. Don't…" Her eyes are moist with unshed tears. I don't even understand how she thinks I'd even contemplate refusing him. How does she think I can live without her?

"Fine." I drop my hands and turn towards Jimenez. Bianca makes a grab for my arm, but I push her off.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Why, it's simple. Take over New York."

Just as Jimenez says this, I hear the door of the room open again. We all turn towards the newcomer. Everything then happens in slow motion.

The stranger lifts his arm and shoots Jimenez straight through the heart.

"No!" I yell, rushing at Jimenez's side. If he dies, so does Bianca.

No… No… This can't be happening.

At the same time, Marcel's voice rings out, "Tino, no!"

I put pressure on Jimenez's wound, trying to keep him alive.

"The antidote… please tell me where the antidote is," I beg him, as his life is about to end.

"N…" he starts, but it's in vain. His heart stops beating, and with it mine, too.

I slowly raise my head to look at Bianca and find her sharing my anguish.

"B…" She runs to me and hugs me to her chest.

Jimenez's killer has a proud look on his face and turning to Marcel, he just shrugs.

"Sorry,fratello."

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