Page 94 of Malevolent Secrets

I close my eyes, relief washing over me. “Thank God.”

Renee squeezes my hand. “We’re almost there. Just hang on a little longer.”

The rest of the ride is a blur. I drift in and out of consciousness, the pain and exhaustion pulling me under. When the car finally stops, I’m vaguely aware of being lifted and carried. The voices around me are familiar, comforting.

“Easy now,” someone says, their voice gentle. “We’ve got you.”

I’m placed on a soft surface, and I feel the warmth of a blanket being draped over me. The pain is still there, but it’s distant, a reminder of everything I’ve been through.

“Renee?” I whisper, my voice weak.

“I’m here,” she replies, sitting beside me. “You’re safe now. Just rest.”

I close my eyes, too tired to fight the darkness any longer. As I drift off, I can hear the sounds of the house around me, the voices of the people who care about me. For the first time in what feels like forever, I feel safe.

The darkness pulls me under again, but this time, it’s different. It’s not the suffocating void I felt before. It’s a peaceful, restful sleep, and I let it take me, knowing that I’m surrounded by people who will protect me.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Lorenzo

I stand awkwardly next to my desk. The doctor’s words echo in my head. The bullet missed vital organs, but it’s still a serious injury. I have to rest, but every minute feels like an eternity.

Renee stands by the window, her arms crossed. She looks out at the city, her expression unreadable. We haven’t spoken much since we got home. There’s a tension between us, an unspoken understanding of the gravity of the situation.

“What now?” Renee turns to face me, her eyes dark with concern.

I nod, my jaw clenched. “I made a deal with Bruno, but Massimo doesn’t respect that. He’s always been a loose cannon.”

Vincent enters the room, his expression grim. “We need to strike back. Show them we’re not to be messed with.”

“We will,” I say, my voice hard. “But first, we need to make a plan.”

“Lorenzo, you need to rest,” Renee says, her voice stern. “You’re in no condition to fight.”

Renee sighs, but she doesn’t argue. She knows better than to try and change my mind.

“What’s our plan?” Vincent asks, breaking the silence.

“Massimo wants a war,” I say. “We’ll give him one. We’ll hit his operations hard and fast. Make him regret ever crossing us.”

Vincent nods, his jaw set. “What about Bruno? He negotiated the treaty.”

“The treaty is dead,” I say, my voice cold. “Massimo crossed the line. There’s no going back now.”

Renee glances back at me, her eyes filled with worry. “Lorenzo, don’t do anything rash. We need to think this through.”

“I am thinking it through,” I snap. “Massimo made this personal.”

They’ve made a big mistake. They think that because I have not shown my talents in a long time, they have gone blunt.

It’s time to show them why I’m called the Ghost. It’s time to show them that when they mess with what is mine, I come after them, their families, and everything they hold dear.”

I stop and turn back to look at Rene. She sighs. “So, what do you want to do?”

“Burn it. We are burning it all to the ground. Every single thing. Massimo is going to feel the weight of my anger.”

“Gather the men,” I command Rene. “We strike at midnight.”

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