Page 164 of Monster in Disguise

"What do you mean?"

"It's rather simple. You are probably aware that even if you tackle me right now, the chances of escape are very slim. If you do what I ask you to, then your beloved might still have a chance."

"What do you want me to do?" I ask, my voice faltering from the pain in my arm. I'm already on the brink, and I know it. Whatever he may have in mind won't change that.

"I want you to finish what you started. I want you to take this knife," he takes out the rusty knife again, "and slit your own throat. Die like my Liliana did."

Catalina

"Slit your own throat. Die like my Liliana did." Nicolo's virulent words send shivers down my spine, the implications terrifying me.

I flinch, whipping my head around to peer at Marcello. He looks awful. Blood all over his body, I can see his face twitching in pain now and then.

He took a bullet for you...

And that hadn't been the only revelation of today. If what Nicolo says is true, and at this point I know it is, for years Marcello's been living a hellish existence, tormented by this psychopath.

"You give me your word of honor that she walks out alive and unharmed in any way?" Marcello finally speaks, and my heart collapses. Surely he doesn't mean to actually kill himself.

"I give you my word of honor," Nicolo replies, a smug look on his face.

"Give me five minutes with Lina and I swear I will do it."

"You have two." Nicolo rolls his eyes and steps back, still keeping his gun trained on us.

"Lina," his voice is ravaged by so much pain and anguish that I can't help but tear up.

"Don't... please don't do this. I'm begging you." I move closer to him, lifting my hand to his face. "I don't want you to die." I don't think I've ever been as scared in my life. The thought of a world without Marcello... it leaves me cold. "I forgive you," I add immediately, knowing the words to be true the moment I utter them.

"Alas, but I don't. I can't forgive myself." He raises his uninjured hand to cup mine, bringing it to his lips for the briefest of touches. "Lina, my sweet, sweet Lina. I've failed you. Again." Tears are rolling down his cheeks. Mine too, but I need to keep my wits about me. He can't do this.

"We have a child, Marcello. Please don't do this. Don't leave your daughter without a father when she just got one." It may seem like I'm emotionally blackmailing him, but at this point I'm willing to try everything.

"That's why I'm doing this. Claudia needs her mother. She doesn't need me." He shakes his head slowly, a bitter smile on his face. "You know..." He tugs a hair strand behind my ear, his fingers lingering a little on the surface of my cheek. "I can't ever regret loving you. Not when you've been the brightest part of my life. In another life..." He lowers his head and swallows hard. "Maybe in another life, you'd still be you, and I'd be someone better. Someone you'd deserve. And maybe..." He sniffles a sob, "Maybe you'd love me a fraction of what I love you."

"I do, God, I do. So don't! Please don't do this. If you love me so much, don't leave me alone!" My fingers dig into the material of his shirt, my eyes pleading with him.

"That's just the thing, Lina. I love you too much to stay." He blinks twice, trying to clear his eyes. "I'm not afraid of dying. Not anymore." His lips make an attempt at a smile.

"Time's up," Nicolo suddenly interrupts.

Marcello winces and, leaning forward, he brushes his lips across mine.

"I'll always love you, Lina. Even with my last dying breath."

I want to reply to him, but he leans back, struggling to his feet.

He takes the blade from Nicolo and positions it at his neck.

"No. You should kneel. Die even lower than her." Marcello doesn't argue as he stoops down, his knees hitting the hard floor.

He gives me one last look, mouthingDon't watch.But I can't! I can't just stay still. I propel my body towards Nicolo, my only thought to stop him.

Just as I am a foot away from him, he raises his gun, aiming at me.

"No! I'll do it," Marcello yells.

"Hurry, boy, or our bargain will become invalid."

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