Page 47 of Bound to the Enforcer

I lower the gun slightly, my chest rising and falling with uneven breaths. "You'll rot for what you've done," I say. "And I'll make sure of it."

Alessio steps forward, hauling Domenico to his feet despite his protests.

"We're not done yet," Alessio growls, shoving him forward. "You're going to answer for everything."

Domenico stumbles, but Alessio doesn't let him fall. I follow, my mind racing, my hatred for Domenico burning as hot as ever. He deserves to die, but not here. Not like this.

I want our world to see him for what he truly is—a traitor. A monster.

And I want to be the one to bring him down.

The walk back through the warehouse is a blur. Alessio shoves Domenico forward. He stumbles as he moves, blood trailing down his arm and leg, but he doesn't complain.

"Keep moving," Alessio growls, shoving him again.

I follow close behind, my gun still gripped tightly in my hand, my pulse a steady roar in my ears. I watch Domenico's every move, waiting for him to try something, to lash out or run. But he doesn't. He walks like a man who knows he's already lost.

We reach the center of the warehouse, where the air is thick with the sharp stench of gunpowder. The crates and machinery feel bigger now, like the shadows themselves are watching us. My eyes dart to the exit. Matteo's betrayal still sits in my stomach like a stone, and the fear I'm trying so hard to ignore presses harder on my chest.

"Where are we taking him?" I ask, my voice smaller than I want it to be.

"To the families," Alessio replies without hesitation. "They need to see him. Alive. They need to know what he's done, what we've uncovered. Once they see the evidence, they'll turn on him."

"Do you think they'll believe it?" Doubt claws at the edge of my mind.

"They will," Alessio says firmly. "Your father built trust with those men. His name still carries weight." He glances at me then, his eyes steady. "Youcarry weight."

I nod, forcing myself to believe him, to push down the gnawing uncertainty.

But Domenico starts laughing, a low, cruel sound that echoes through the empty warehouse. Alessio stops, his hand tightening on Domenico's shoulder, and I freeze, every muscle in my body locking up.

"What's so funny?" I snap.

Domenico turns his head slightly, his smirk dark and mocking despite the blood smeared on his face.

"You think dragging me in front of the families will make a difference?"

"Shut up," Alessio growls, but Domenico doesn't stop.

"They'll never accept you," Domenico sneers, his stare locking onto me like a snake ready to strike. "You're your father's greatest mistake. Weak, naive. They'll turn on you the second you show me to them. Because they know the truth, Sophia. You're a woman and unfit for the crown of a king."

I move before I realize it, grabbing his collar and yanking him toward me. "The only truth is that you're a coward," I hiss, my face inches from his. "You prey on the weak, on the helpless. And when I'm done, no one will remember your name."

He doesn't flinch. "You think you're better than me?"

"IknowI am," I spit back, shoving him hard enough that Alessio has to grab him to keep him upright.

Domenico smiles again, but this time it feels different—like he's already won something I don't see yet.

"Move," Alessio growls, yanking him forward again.

But before we can take another step, the sound of tires screeching cuts through the air outside. I freeze. Alessio does, too, his hand still locked around Domenico's arm.

"Alessio…" I whisper, my throat tightening.

He looks at me sharply, eyes narrowing, then turns his head toward the warehouse entrance. The sound grows louder—more engines now. Headlights slice through the cracks in the walls, flooding the dark space with beams of light.

"They're here," Alessio mutters.

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