Page 19 of Scar

Lucky squats next to the man’s face, a menacing glare on his face. “Tell us. Leave nothing out. And don’t lie.” He turns his face toward the pile of burning flesh, reminding the man of its significance, and just how easily he can be added to the pile.

“Negri. Paolo Negri ordered it.”

“You sure about that?” I ask, tilting my head to study his face for signs of deceit. Negri wasn’t even on our radar.

The man nods quickly. Swears up and down that it was Negri.

“And you work for Negri?” I ask.

He shakes his head, purses his lips, then lets out a strangled sob. He knows he’s going to die either way. If not here tonight, then at the hands of his boss if he ever makes it back to the rock he crawled out from under.

“Johnny Tarantula,” he whispers, pain lancing through his voice.

I try, but I can’t say I feel an ounce of sympathy for him. He made his bed. Working for Johnny Tarantula, a small-time hood who does odd jobs for some of the families and has been trying for years to get his foot in the door with something bigger. No-one ever stopped to tell him that bigger isn’t necessarily better.

“Take their hands,” I say. “Send gifts to the head of every family. Send two to Tarantula; he’s special.”

CHAPTER 17 – ALLEGRA

My heart races as my husband suggests we visit my childhood home. Mixed emotions flood me - joy at the thought of seeing my family, but also suspicion and fear. After all, not too long ago, he had his hands wrapped violently around my throat. Now, he's playing the role of a doting husband and giving me something I didn't ask for. The irony is not lost on me.

This morning, Lucky informed me that we would be heading to my parents' house this afternoon. At first, I am pleasantly surprised by his unexpected gesture. But then, he drops the bombshell - my father had suffered a heart attack a few days ago. Is it serious enough for us to make this trip? Or is Scar feeling guilty and trying to make amends by granting me this visit?

As we walk towards the car, I notice four vehicles lined up in the driveway with men leaning against them - Scar's brothers and other unknown men. “What’s going on?” I ask Lucky with a frown.

He smirks at me and says, “Something you should know about our family - we never travel light.”

I stop in my tracks, confused. “You’re all coming?” I ask incredulously.

“Just to your front door,” Lucky clarifies, motioning for me to take a seat in one of the cars. He leans in and tells me Scar won't be long before joining us.

Sure enough, Scar emerges from the house moments later. He walks with confidence and purpose, adjusting his watch as he approaches our car. He nods at his brothers before getting into the car wordlessly and sitting down next to me with a noticeable distance between us.

Despite everything, I can’t help but admire him as he moves like a superstar - powerful and strong. But there is no denying the fact that right now, he might be my greatest enemy – my so-called husband who has caused me so much pain and heartache.

“Why the sudden concern for my family?” I ask him, my voice thick with suspicion. The car starts to move, and he turns to look at me, his sharp gaze taking in every inch of my body. I can feel his eyes lingering on my green knee-length dress that accentuates my tan skin and my short rust-colored suede jacket. A smirk plays on my lips as I notice his gaze hesitating on my legs before quickly moving up, as if he remembers that he shouldn't be looking.

“Your father’s sick apparently,” he explains, his tone dripping with insincerity. “I didn’t want anything to happen to him without you getting a chance to say goodbye. I couldn't live with myself if that were the case.”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes at his pathetic attempt at being caring. He's nothing but a selfish bastard who only cares about himself.

“You know,” I lift one leg and cross it over the other, then look down at my nails thoughtfully, trying not to reveal how much his words affect me “one day, your assholery might just come back to haunt you. And when it does, I'll be standing on the sidelines cheering it on.”

He scoffs but doesn't take his eyes off my legs. It finally dawns on me that I have power over him, power that I can use to make his life miserable just like he's made mine.

I flick at my nails, emphasizing my point; if I'm going to be trapped in this loveless marriage, I'm going to make sure he suffers just as much.

“Is that your idea of a threat, Allegra?” His tone is mocking, but there's a hint of uncertainty in his eyes.

I tilt my head and give him a wicked smile. “No,” I admit with a coy smile “it's a promise. Because mark my words, I will be the biggest supporter of your eventual downfall.”

As we approach my childhood home, I can't help but notice the increased security. Cars are parked discreetly on every corner and tucked into every crevice of the street. The Gatti family's reach is evident in their measures to protect themselves. Scar and I exit our car, while the other brothers remain behind, waiting patiently. He grabs my hand as we make our way towards the entrance, his grip firm and warning me to behave.

“Let go,” I snap, trying to pull away. “It’s not like I can run anywhere.”

He leans in closer, whispering, “Keep acting out and I might have to kiss you to shut you up.”

I clamp my mouth shut and follow him into the house. My mother greets us at the door, her discomfort clear as she leads us down the familiar hallway towards a guest room on the ground floor.

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