Page 66 of Bittersweet Endings
“Let’s just get this over with,” Lucky muttered, shifting his attention to his men, barking orders as they dispersed to the cars. Lucky’s eyes burned with a mix of anger and warning as he took a step closer to me again. “If anything happens to my sister, Carmine, it won’t be quick. I won’t just kill you. I’ll make you watch as I putyour sisterin the ground.”
I stood there, unmoving, my fingers clenching with the need to pull the gun at my back. His words were meant to provoke, meant to rattle me. But I wasn’t in the business of being rattled. Lucky could threaten me all he wanted. But the truth was, without me, he was as good as dead. So was his family with all those enemies knocking at his door.
“Be careful, baby devil…” The warning in my tone was unmistakable. “You threaten me again, and you might just find out what happens when people make that mistake.” I glared at him.
Lucky didn’t reply. Apollo’s silence shifted as he took the slightest step forward. And I smirked, cracking my neck as I challenged him to do something. Instead, like a good dog, he growled before turning and walking to the car. Matteo followed him as I filed in behind Lucky.
The engine hummed to life, and we pulled away, the city lights flashing past us. The atmosphere in the car was anything but calm.
“How pissed do you think she’s gonna be when she finds out?” I leaned back in my seat, my hand drumming against the armrest. She’d be fuming, that was for fucking sure. She’d lash out, fight for any ounce of control she thought she could get. She’d find none.
“She’s already fucking furious,” Rocco grunted from the driver’s seat. “Nearly tore my head off.”
I chuckled. “The poor girl thinks she’s getting freedom just by coming to dinner, huh?”
Lucky nodded, immersed in his phone. “She almost said no, but she’s tired of being cooped up inside.”
I glanced out the window, a dark, satisfied grin tugging at my lips. “She’ll believe she’s beenlet out of the cage. But she’swrong. I’m still pulling all the strings. And she’s going to hate every second of it.”
We rode the rest of the way in silence. I couldn’t wait for Octavia to see exactly how much of her life was in my hands. She might try to fight. She might try to break free. But I knew better. She wasn’t going anywhere. Not when I was the one holding all the cards.
As the car rolled through the streets of New York, Lucky glanced down at my outfit—jeans, a jacket, the usual look that said I was always ready for a fight. He shot a glare in my direction. “You sure you don’t want to change into something nicer for dinner? Wouldn’t want ya to look out of place.”
I raised an eyebrow. A small laugh escaped me, the sound dark and knowing. “No thanks,” I said, meeting his glare with a grin. “Your sister prefers me like this.”
His expression froze for a moment, a flicker of annoyance flashing in his eyes. He turned away, muttering under his breath.
It was the truth. Octavia had always liked me this way. Rough around the edges, untamed, a far cry from the polished, perfect image of herfamiglia’s made men. She liked the danger that came with me. The unhinged danger. She craved it, even if she’d never admit it out loud.
I’d never allow her to be a sheltered wife; I’d want her wild and crazy at my side. And that was where she belonged. Once this all ended, I was bringing her back tomyhome.
The car came to a slow stop in front of the restaurant, and as soon as the engine cut, Lucky gave me a sharp look, his jaw tight. “Wait here,” he ordered. “I’ll go in first.”
I didn’t argue. I didn’t need to. I had all the time in the world. My thoughts swirled as I watched him walk towards the door, a part of me already imagining what kind of fireworks would bewaiting for me with Octavia. That girl always had a way of making things... interesting.
Suddenly, the door to the restaurant swung open, and Apollo appeared, his towering frame filling the threshold. He gave a brief, almost imperceptible nod in my direction before disappearing back inside.
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding, pushed open the door, and stepped out into the cool night air.
I walked through the restaurant with purpose, my eyes flicking around the room, watching the way the patrons glanced at me—some with mild recognition, others with fear. But I wasn’t here for them. I was here forher.
I spotted her immediately. My Octavia. Sitting with her back to me, her posture defiant even in the quiet of the space. I took a few steps closer, slowing as I approached, curious about what she might be saying.
Her voice cut through the air before I even reached her.
“This is ridiculous, Lucky,” she snapped. “I’m not some kid you can dress up, take out to dinner, and expect to be grateful. You don’t get to control me like that. I’mnotyour fucking doll!”
Lucky’s response was low, almost a growl, but I couldn’t hear his words from where I was standing. A dark grin spread across my face as I stopped behind her.
“No,” I said, my tone deliberate and dangerous, “but you’remylittle doll, aren’t you?”
Her back stiffened, and I could practically feel the fury boiling in her veins. She didn’t turn around right away, but I knew she’d heard me. Octavia’s voice was tight with rage when she finally spoke, though it was directed at her brother, not me.
“You can’t control me, Lucky,” she said. “Not anymore.”
I leaned in just a bit closer, feeling the tension between us. “You’re right. He doesn’t,” I told her. “And I don’tneedto control you, Octavia. Not when you’re already mine.”
Lucky’s expression darkened, but after a brief moment, he pushed himself out of his chair while muttering something under his breath. He shot me one last glare, his eyes narrowing. “Yell at Pops,” he grunted. “It was his idea.”
