Page 124 of Victorious Vice

He raises an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“You saidwe’llget through this together. You and I. Together.”

He squeezes me. “I didn’t misspeak.”

“So you’re done with thisstay away from Raven for her own safetybullshit?”

He cracks a tiny smile. “I suppose I am.”

I wrap my arms around him, squeeze him as tight as I can. “Oh, Vinnie. I love you.”

“And I love you too, baby.”

And in this moment, perhaps the darkest my family has ever faced, there’s a small glimmer of something beautiful.

Hope.

44

VINNIE

Aweek later…

Everything is complete.

Mario and Serena are settled in Dubai.

I’ve received confirmation that McAllister and Agudelo are in their graves. No news yet on Vega, but I’m confident that my plan worked with him as well.

I’ve cooperated with law enforcement, handed over tainted funds to the Feds, and cleared our coffee import business of all illegal activity.

Belinda and her governess, Natalie, are getting settled in my home, and Daniela is thrilled to have a little sister.

But Bellamy is still in a coma.

He’s not on life support. He’s breathing on his own. But he won’t wake up.

Three months later…

Daniela now has legal status in the US, and our divorce will be finalized in another few months. She’s living in one of my guestrooms, and she’ll begin culinary school soon.

Belinda is doing well. She’s in therapy to deal with her father’s abuse, but she finds solace in her music. I’ve hired a college piano professor to teach her and bought a nine-foot grand piano for her to practice on.

I haven’t heard anything from Mario and Serena, but that’s expected. I assume they are happily enjoying their time together in Dubai. I’ve begun the process of getting my father released from prison. It will be a long road, but my attorneys think it can be done.

Austin Bellamy is still in a coma, and the physicians don’t know why. He shows brain activity, so pulling the plug isn’t an option. He’s been moved to a facility here in Austin, and Raven—who has moved in with me—visits with him every day. Her other time is spent working at Raven’s Wings, which is thriving.

I’m now CEO of the Bianchi Coffee Imports—a totally legit company, and a successful one. I have enough money to live out my life in luxury and support Daniela, Belinda, and any children Raven and I may have together.

And it’s clean money. So clean it squeaks.

I did what I set out to do, and though I was victorious, I had to become everything I despised about Mario. Unlike my money, my handsaren’tclean. I had to use evil means not to bring about ruin, but to achieve victory.

Victorious vice.

Victory came at a price. When you’re fighting darkness, you don’t walk away unscathed.

I have to live with that.

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