Page 105 of Ruthless Guardian

I could lie my way out of it, tell him I was referring to him wanting me dead and my father wanting to kill Isabella. But why protectPapàany longer? His sins are unforgiveable, and the devil’s finally coming for him.

Antonio and Giuseppe are another story. My brothers turned their backs on me, but do they deserve the retribution for my father’s sins? A month ago, I would have said no. But that was before Isabella, before I’d started to breathe again, to want more out of life, to actually look forward to the future.

“My father killed Laura, in front of me, as punishment for siding with you, his enemy.” The moment the confession is out, the pressure in my ribcage subsides. My heart pumps more freely, my lungs no longer constricted by the heavy burden of the lie I’d kept for all these years. And for what? To protect a monster?

A string of curses pours out of Enrico’s mouth. He throws the gun across the room with a beastly growl then kicks the ornate coffee table, sending elaborate silver picture frames crashing to the floor. Then he comes for me. His fist collides with my nose, the sharp crack vibrating across my skull. Warm blood dribbles down my lip, and with my hands bound there’s nothing I can do to keep it from trickling into my mouth.

The metallic tang makes my stomach roil, but I can’t focus on it for long because another fist pummels into my cheek. I grit through the pain, refusing to growl my anger. I deserve this. I’ve kept the truth from this man for over a decade.

A punch to the gut, then another to the kidney. I buckle over, writhing in pain but I don’t utter a sound. I take it, again and again, as Enrico spews all the pain and anger over the loss of his daughter on me.

It’s my fault she’s dead.

I should have stopped my father.

I’ll take my punishment, but I will not die today.

Darkness creeps into the corners of my eyes, head lolling back as my mind attempts to protect itself by passing out. The hits stop for an instant and despite the dizziness and sudden nausea, I can make out Enrico’s towering form pacing in front of my execution chair.

“Now what?” I rasp.

“I don’t know,” he grumbles. “My wife,Diorest her soul, always said I was too soft.”

I barely restrain a wild chuckle. There are many colorful adjectives I’d use to describe Enrico Sartori but soft is not one of them.

“In regard to you, I mean.” He stalks closer, dark brows furrowed. “You lied to me for years, swearing you had no idea who killed Laura. That sin alone deserves death.”

I nod slowly. “My offer still stands, just allow me to get Isabella somewhere safe.”

He clucks his tongue, then pulls a handkerchief from his robe pocket and wipes at the blood coating his knuckles, my blood. “And if I let you go, what will you do about yourPapà?” He inches closer, and I can practically see the fury streaking through those cold, dark eyes. “Because you understand that he can no longer continue to live,vero?”

Right. Of course I knew what my confession would cost.

“I will do what I must to protect Isabella.”

“Alfredo Ferrara’s life is mine,” he snarls. “For taking my daughter’s life, I deserve the right to mete his punishment.”

My head dips. “And what about my brothers?”

He pauses, lips pressed into a tight line. “If I leave any of them alive, I am only condemning myself to their eventual retribution.”

My conscience begs me to speak up in their defense, but what can I really say to protect them? My own fate hangs in the balance. “They weren’t there,” I finally mutter. “Not when he did it.”

His nostrils flare, a tangle of fury and pain slicing into his hard expression.

“Antonio is still learning how to run the Ferrara empire. He’s young, tractable. Keep him alive and instead of creating an enemy, forge an alliance.”

Enrico grunts, then runs his hand across his face. “With his father’s murderer?”

“Antonio is pragmatic and ambitious. And unlike me, he wishes to sit the Ferrara throne. Give him the chance, I can almost guarantee he won’t be a problem.”

“And if you’re wrong?”

“I’ll take care of him myself.”

A dark chuckle rumbles his chest. “That would force me to keep you alive too.”

I shrug. “A fortunate side effect.” I do my best to sit up straight despite the pounding in my skull. “You’ll never have to see me again after this, Enrico. You’ll get everything you’ve ever wanted. Revenge for Laura’s death and me out of your life forever.”

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