Page 42 of Bittersweet Endings
The air thickened, the scent of whiskey and cigar smoke curling around us like a noose. He stood there, his arms crossed, that same smug fucking smirk he’d given me my entire life staring me down like he could see straight through me. Like he’d already won.
I exhaled through my nose while cracking my neck. “Ifyou’re about to give me a lecture, don’t. I tuned you out years ago.”
JP continued to stare, his silence heavier than words. Then, slowly—too fucking slowly—he lifted a finger and tapped his lips. Seemingly amused. “You might want to clean up,figlio mio.”
I didn’t react. I didn’t have to. He’d already seen my little doll exit the bathroom. Saw her red lipstick staining my skin. Her delicious scent lingering between us.
“Myson.Always thinking with his dick because he’s a dumb little bastard.” He clicked his tongue. “Pathetic.”
My jaw ticked, but I let out a slow, dry chuckle. “You’re still talking like you’re relevant.”
JP tilted his head. “And you’re still acting like a fucking amateur. Like your balls dropped enough for you tobe me.” He took a step closer. “You don’t get to play house with that cunt’s daughter and fucking survive it. You think her father won’t slit your throat? You thinkIwon’t?”
I bared my teeth until it resembled a grin. “You should’ve done it already. But we both know you can’t touch her. So, do your worst to me, motherfucker.”
His eyes flickered. “You’re slipping,” he murmured, his voice like a knife sliding between my ribs. “And when you slip, people die. I think it’s time I taught you what loss really fucking feels like.”
“You’ve already taken a lot from me,” I growled.
“Your mother told me you know the truth now, huh?” He rolled his eyes. “My brother was weak. He took you into his fold and look how you turned out. I think it’s about time you join him.”
That was it. My resolve snapped.
I grabbed JP by the collar and slammed him against the wall,cracking the drywall. Dust erupting into the air. The asshole didn’t flinch. Didn’t struggle. He just laughed. A slow, knowing laugh. The same one that used to haunt me as a kid.
“You want to kill me,boy? Then do it. Put me in the ground, take the throne, be the fucking king youthinkyou are.” His smirk cut through me. “Or are you too busy fucking that little bitch to be a man and do it?”
My grip tightened. My fingers twitched. “I fuckin’ hate you, you cocksucker,” I growled.
JP’s hand twitched at his side, his eyes flashing. “You should watch your mouth,figlio mio.” His eyes gleamed with something vicious. “You should’ve been smarter than this.”
I heard the commotion around us. We were drawing attention, and I was barely keeping myself from killing him in front of a full-blown audience.
Then, his voice dropping to a whisper, he delivered the final blow. “You think you can protect her?” he scoffed. “She’ll be screaming for you when I kill her daddy and no one is left to save her. She’ll beg for your help when I have my hands aroundherthroat.”
I snapped. My fist cracked against his face with a euphoricthud. His head jerked back, but I didn’t stop. Another blow. Then another. Blood splattered against the wall, and my knuckles tore open as I kept up the attack.
JP spit to the side, laughing through the crimson dripping from his split lip. “That all you got, boy?” He met me for each swing. Matched my energy as we battled each other.
I was going to kill him. Everything he’d done to me and my siblings. To Uncle Sal. It was all coming full circle. I pulled back for another strike.
“Carmine.” Matteo’s voice sounded at my back. “Stop. Toomany civilians.” He managed to separate us, and I stepped aside. My knuckles bleeding and my breath ragged.
JP just grinned, blood staining his teeth. “There he is,” he whispered. “My real son. Not Sal’s little errand boy.”
I wiped the blood from my knuckles onto my shirt. My pulse steady while the brutal pounding continued in my skull. JP laughed as he walked off, ignoring the stares as people moved out of his way.
I turned towards Matteo. “Get the men ready. He’s not leaving New York alive.” I licked the copper from my lip, still tasting Octavia there too.
JP wanted to take more from me, as if he hadn’t taken from me all my life. I’d burn the whole fucking city down first. He wanted war, but I was going to give him a fucking massacre.
I moved quickly, cleaning myself up before we went back into the main room. The little blonde—fuck, whatever her name was—stood there scowling and waiting for me. Matteo tried hiding his smirk when she looked ready to tell me off.
Her father was one of my captains. I’d handed the girl a drink while I was playing with Octavia, and now she looked like she wanted a ring.
Fuck, I hated these broads.
Diego leaned into me. “Boss. Need a minute.”
