Page 65 of Bittersweet Endings
I turned on my heel and stormed up the stairs, ignoring the heat of their stares on my back. By the time I reached my room, my pulse was still pounding. I slammed the door behind me, but it didn’t make me feel any better. Pacing, I pressed my hands against my temples, trying to force the chaos in my head into something that made sense.
How the hell was I going to get out of this?
This family. This life. I was over it. All of it.
Over being Lucky’s little sister. Something to be protected, controlled, locked away whenever it suited him. Over being a pawn in the war I didn’t ask to be brought into.
I was stronger than all of them. Because I’d survived worse than this. And one way or another, I was getting out.
The sharp ring of my phone cut through the thick silence of my room. I froze mid-pace, my breath catching as I pulled the device from my pocket. An unknown number. My fingers hovered over the screen. Every instinct told me to ignore it. But I didn’t.
I swiped to answer, pressing the phone to my ear. “Who is this?”
For a moment, all I heard was breathing. And then…
“It sounds like we have a common enemy.” A slow, deliberate voice. Smooth as silk, laced with something that sent a chill racing down my spine. A chuckle. “I think we both want revenge—on my son and your family. Does that sound right?”
I swallowed hard. “What do you want?”
A pause. “You,” was all he said, and ice filled my veins. “And to make them all suffer for what they’ve done. To us.”
My breath caught. I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. Because deep down, a part of me knew this was only the beginning of a new game. But at least now I had the chance to control the board.
Chapter Twenty
CARMINE RAGETTI
Matteo prattled on, going over business and updates. I narrowed my eyes, my hand twitching at my side.
“It’s not going to be easy,” he muttered.
A wry smile crept onto my face. “Nothing interesting ever is. But that’s half the fun, isn’t it?”
“It is. Everything is arranged with Lucky. He handled Octavia.”
I chuckled just imagining her reaction.
The plane shuddered as it began its descent, and I opened the window shade, watching the sprawling city below. New York. The place where I was going to make my move. A smile tugged at the corners of my mouth, but it was more like a snarl.
My little doll had no idea what was going on. And I couldn’t wait to see the traitorous look she’d throw at her brother when she realized he was involved in the setup.
As the plane taxied towards the idling SUVs, I slid my jacket on. I spotted them immediately. Lucky, leaning against the door with his arms crossed and his expression tight. I could tell all ofthis was pissing him off. His usual fury simmering just beneath the surface. It was comical, like an angry toddler. Beside him was Apollo, ever the silent, cold shadow lurking around his boss.
“Well, well,” I said, after I’d exited the plane, my lips curling into a smile as I stepped forward. “Look at us, making history with a friendship, huh?” I extended a hand.
A moment of indecision before Lucky did the same, but the gesture was far from warm. “Fuck you, Carmine,” he grunted.
Apollo didn’t move. I didn’t flinch either. The motherfucker could dissect my entire body and catalog all the parts, but I didn’t give a single damn.
I shrugged. “Hey, just trying to make the best of things. You know, since we could be brothers someday.”
“Fuck off,” Lucky growled. “The only reason I haven’t put a bullet in your head is 'cause I know you’re psycho enough to handle your father. But don’t think for a second I won’t, if you step out of line.”
I let out a low chuckle. “Don’t forget Peiro. We both have threats we need to handle, don’t we?” I let that linger in the air, before I leaned in and hissed, “Don’t fuck with me, especially when you have two other threats hiding in your city… besides me.”
His face twisted with a mix of irritation and reluctant rage. “It’s the only reason you’re breathing right now,” he shot back.
“Well, good thing we’re all on the same side then, huh?” I slapped his shoulder, enjoying his scowl as he shoved me aside.
