“You’re crazy,” I hissed.
He threw his head back and laughed as if I’d told a joke or this whole situation was funny. “You didn’t really think Basilio was chasing a silly girl without an endgame in mind. All along, it was to secure an alliance and end your uncle. He knew this would happen. He knew, that’s why he left.”
He took a step forward, and instantly I raised my gun.
“You were played,” Gio cackled. “After all, I’m the one that taught my son how to play the game.”
I’m not a good man.Basilio’s words from our first date came back with a vengeance. He told me he was a bad guy, and yet, like a fool, I refused to see it.
“Give me that gun,” he drawled. Another step. “You’re not a killer so save us both the time.”
He moved towards me and I aimed at his right knee, then pulled the trigger.
Bang.
“You’re right,” I told him as he fell to the ground. “I’m not a killer. But I’m not beyond making you lose a leg.”
I cocked the gun and pulled the trigger again.
CHAPTER26
Wynter
My legs quivered, my body ached, and blood covered my hands and face. I held the shreds of my clothes with one hand while I supported myself against the walls in the hallway with my other.
I had to get out of there. Clenching my teeth and ignoring the pain that each step shot through me, I kept moving forward and stumbled out of Bas’s red brick home.
Warm air hit me. The noise of the city matched my hectic state. My steps halted.
A car sat parked in front of Basilio’s home and a man stood in front of it. Big, bulky. Our eyes connected, and for a moment, I thought he’d kill me or send me back inside, to face my death.
“Go,” he mouthed and relief washed over me. I tilted my head, and tears burned my eyes.
I took off running. I was barefoot, blood stained my ripped shirt, leaving my back exposed. I only wore boyshort panties, now stained with blood. My phone was left behind. Everything.
Bas played me. Bas played me.
The words screamed in my ears as I ran down the street, glances thrown my way, but I ignored them all as my chest burned.
Oh my God! Bas’ father shot my mother.
How many secrets did our family have? I didn’t even know my mother was shot. She had a past with DiLustros? DiLustro had to be lying.
“Do you need help?” A passerby asked but I ignored him, rushing aimlessly down the street. I couldn’t call Uncle Liam. He’d kill Bas.
Idiot, I shouldn’t worry about Bas. He betrayed me. Left me for his father to-
A shudder rolled down my spine and fear iced through my veins.Bas left me.
The sound of screeching tires. Shouting. I ignored it.
I was such an idiot. I fell right into their trap. Like a lamb to the slaughter.
“Wynter.”
My heart sped up.Hewas coming after me. DiLustro was coming to finish me. I sped up, my ears buzzing with adrenaline and terror.
A hand wrapped around my wrist and I screamed, jerking against it.