Page 128 of The Devil's Deal

A bullet splits the air, drowning out all else as it hits him right in between his eyes. She doesn’t even flinch as his body falls, unblinkingly staring down at him.

Then suddenly her hand trembles, and the rest of her body follows. I rush over as a sob breaks from the chained wounds of her heart, and I’m there, doing what I can to hold her together, never wanting to let go.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Chiara

“Give me your phone,”I demand, my tone clipped with reserved anger while we still stand inside the warehouse after my tears stopped.

I can’t believe I let myself cry on him. How could I have been so weak in front of him?

After I killed my father, the shock held me in its ugly grip, refusing to let me go until I sacrificed my tears. But I didn’t cry because I missed him or regretted what I’d done. It was cathartic.

After all these years of being his prisoner, I was free. And though I still hold his blood in my body, it doesn’t own me or define me. I don’t have to be his daughter beyond the ties of familial lines. I will no longer be controlled. Manipulated. Abused.

“Are you okay, baby?” Dom asks, concern plastered on his face like he gives a shit.

My jaw tightens and my eyes turn to two daggers about to take him out as beautifully as I did my own father.

“You don’t fucking have the right to call me that ever again, you fucking bastard.”

“Please, let me explain,” he begs, but I don’t want to hear any of it.

I extend my palm. “Give me your damn cell. I have to call my aunt, who’s probably called the cops by now.”

He slips a hand in his black sweats and removes his phone, handing it to me.

I immediately call her.

“Hello?” her voice trembles.

“It’s me. I’m so sor—”

“Oh my God, Chiara,” she sobs. “I thought you were dead. When you didn’t show up, I was certain he hurt you.”

Of course she means my father.

“He will never hurt anyone again. I made sure of it.”

“What?” Shock weaves around her question.

“It’s a lot to explain, but I’ll be there soon.”

“Okay. Please hurry.”

“I will. Bye. Love you.”

“Me too. So much. See you soon.”

I disconnect the call and hold the phone out for Dom, refusing to even look at him, and as he takes the cell, his fingers caress my palm.

Yanking away my hand, I steel my gaze, not allowing any of his kindness to seep through the tough wall I built around my heart as soon as I found out who he was.

“Chiara, we have to talk.”

“No, we don’t. I’m leaving. Drive me into town, and I’ll get an Uber from there.”

But as I start to give him my back, his hand lands on my wrist, his fingers curling around me in a tight embrace. He pulls me toward him and I land against the hardness of his chest, my lips hovering over his, his sharp, penetrating gaze holding me in place.