Page 41 of Ludovico's Vengeance

I let out a shaky breath as I absorb so much new information.

“Had that shithead’s grandfather,” she snarls as she points over my shoulder. I quickly glance to see Giovanni cautiously walking forward with a gun pointed at Janelle. “Had his grandfather not had the gambling problem he did, I never would have had to step a foot back in this god forsaken town.” She snarls.

Giovanni stands close enough that I can see the confused expression on his face now. Janelle snorts before she continues, her attention entirely on him now.

“Your grandfather made so many bets with my partner over the past few years he was about to lose everything before we brought the opportunity to Mateo.” Her confession seems to spark something in him which she hasn’t realized because she continues to run her damn mouth. “I knew he would be a good lap dog and do as he was told. Helping us get the drugs into the city so that we could both make money. It was my way of apologizing for making him kill his daughter, only color me surprised when I find out that she’s alive and well enough to be used as a bargaining chip. Or alive at least. Though, you do look a little better than the last time I was forced to look at you.”

I roll my neck to loosen the tight muscles her yammering has caused. When she turns back to me, I offer my most innocent smile which seems to infuriate her enough to approach me. Before she has a chance to continue her speech, I do what I should have done before she began talking. I pull the gun I grabbed from the armory in the gym and lift it in front of me.

Janelle’s eyes go wide just as I squeeze the trigger. A loud shot sounds and reverberates through the space. Thankfully the secret practices I’ve been having with Michael have paid off because my aim is true and hits right between the eyes.

“You talk too much.” I groan and roll my eyes as she falls to the ground.

Present Day

I drag my blood-stained fingers through my hair as I think about everything that’s happened since I killed the head of the Ludovico family while I stare at Mateo Barone who is tied to the same metal chair he had me confined to not so long ago. Ahh, karma. She’s such a team player.

“It seems only fair that you be one of the first to know, after all. You’re the one who killed him, so to speak.” My lips turn up as I aim a devilish smile his way, recalling everything that has happened. The fact that his daughter is now mine in nearly every way only makes this moment better. “Johnny is gone.”

I see the recognition as a glint of fear appears in his eyes. My desire to taunt him even further gets the best of me as I bend to speak directly into his ear. “This is the moment where if I respected you, I’d ask your permission.” I grin darkly. "However, you’re the worst kind of trash that I've come across so I’m just going to tell you. One day soon, I’m going to propose to your daughter. She will become a Ludovico, and your name will be forgotten.” A low grumble erupts from deep in his chest which brings me so much joy.

My feet carry me over to the door that closes off the room to the onlookers. While we may plan to burn this place to the ground, I don’t want to leave any chance that this fucker gets away. Plus, I came here for vengeance after all.

The moment I place my hand on the doorknob, I feel a sense of pride run through me. He has no idea what he’s in for. If I'm honest, neither do I. The door pulls toward me easily and Nina steps into view. The same set of clothing she wore when she first came to me.

She has an air of confidence about her now though that no one can take. Between all of the work she’s already done, there’s also just something about your first kill that does that to you. Nina’s feet move swiftly as she closes the distance between herself and the bloody sack of bones in the middle of the room.

I lean back against the wall with my arms folded across my chest, savoring my chance to observe her. Barone’s eyes go wide when he realizes what she has.

“Hi, Daddy,” Nina’s voice is sweet and timid, she’s putting on a show for him. “Do you remember the first time you used this one on me?” She reveals the same taser Mateo used on me a little over a week ago from the pocket of her sweatpants. I stifle a laugh while my eyes roam from her to him. The man looks like he’s ready to blow a gasket.

“I was three years old; it was just after I finished my cake.” She seems almost ashamed as she speaks. “Cece had made it for me, she said it was our secret because you didn’t approve of cake.”

A loud crackle echoes through the empty space when she presses the button to activate the device. The action illuminates Mateo’s grim expression, he looks almost remorseful when he realizes the power that she now has over him. She steps into his space and presses the prongs to his thigh for the count of three before she releases the trigger. He lets out a shrill scream that continues to ring through the room after he’s stopped.

“Three years old and you used a fucking taser on me because you didn’t want my birth to be celebrated, for reasons I didn’t know at the time. Now I realize it’s because of what I’m lacking between my god damn legs.” Nina scoffs, “You know, she told me once that you were her big brother and that’s why she wouldn’t leave me because she knew what you were capable of. Even if it meant she had to suffer at your hands too.”

Nina shoves the prongs into his neck this time before pressing the button that brings it to life. This time the screams and noise from the taser don’t stop for the count of six. She has a single tear streaming down her cheek when she pulls away.

“You know, something has been bothering me since I was last here. I don’t understand why she didn’t leave when I got away.” Her admission comes out on a shaky breath. “How soon after they took me home did you kill her?”

Mateo glances up at her with tears and snot running down his face, not from guilt or remorse, but from the pain she’s inflicted. If looks could kill, the furious glare he’s shooting at her would have had Nina laid out flat. Every fiber of my being wants to end this now and use my knife to slit his throat all the way through to the bone. However, I made a promise, and I know she needs this closure so I will bide my time.

"The day you left,” he chokes on a laugh. “There was no point to keep her alive anymore.” He struggles to shrug his shoulders with the restraints.

Nina’s eyes are ablaze with fury. Her gaze meets mine and she subtly jerks her head signaling me to join her. Her body sags into me with relief as soon as she feels me step behind her.

“I hope you and my mother both rot in hell.” Are the last words she says to him before stepping aside. A wicked smile dances across my lips as I pull the Glock from the back of my waistband, aim, and shoot without any further hesitation.

Nina turns to me, her eyes rimmed with tears as she buries her face into my chest.

“Amore Mio.” I wrap her in my arms, holding her to my chest as she lets out the excess emotion this kill has caused her.

Nine Months Later

Part of me wishes I’d have worn something a bit warmer. The black off the shoulder sweater dress is sexy, especially the matching knit stockings, but it’s already windy as hell on the sidewalk. My gaze drags up the building toward the roof. It’s going to be an ice box up there.

Giovanni’s fingers are tangled around mine as he drags me inside the hotel. Abel and Rand follow closely behind us as we approach the elevator. I lean into my man's warmth as we wait for the car to arrive. It’s nearly our second Christmas together so the fact that he wanted to spend the night before Christmas Eve here, instead of wrapping gifts or just with our family, has my mind racing. Last year may have been a little more hectic considering my father was trying to kill us both and all that shit. But it was my first time celebrating with a family.

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