Page 125 of Ruthless Vengeance
Then I drive my boot into his stomach, over and over until I’m sure I’ve broken every single one of his ribs.
Each kick is fueled by undiluted rage, not just for what he did but especially for who he is. For how easily he betrayed his own blood.
If he had been different, my brother and I would have welcomed him into our family with open arms. But he put all of that at risk, and for what? A deal with Tommaso? With Cillian?
“You’re fucking pathetic.” I continue to kick the living shit out of Ben, and I stop only when his grunts are replaced with silence.
I reach for the gun tucked into the back of my waistband and walk around him so that I can look into his face.
It’s barely recognizable, nothing but a mess of blood and bruises, but that doesn’t matter. In a few seconds, he’ll be nothing more than a shell of a human who will soon fade from our memories.
I point my gun right at his head, my finger flexing over the trigger. “Goodbye, Ben.”
I squeeze the trigger without hesitation, landing the shot right between his eyes.
His body jolts from the impact, but then he goes still as dark crimson blood to spreads on the concrete behind him.
It’s finally over.
The weight that’s been sitting on my chest for weeks lifts, but only slightly.
Killing Ben doesn’t erase the damage he’s caused Clara or erase the image of my brother bleeding out on the floor.
But itisjustice, and I’ll take that over mercy that might bite me in the ass any day.
Chapter Thirty-One
CLARA
I situp and scoot to the edge of the bed right after Marco leaves. I don’t know how much time passes, but I remain sitting here, still wearing the same clothes. I can’t bring myself to change, as if moving will bring forth the reality of it all.
It all feels like a nightmare.
My body is exhausted, but my mind can’t seem to shut off, so sleep is unlikely to come. Besides, I’m too scared to close my eyes because I know what’s waiting for me when I do.
The car ride where Andre almost bled out. The bedroom where I told the man I love it was okay to kill my brother…
It’s been hours now,and Marco is still not back.
I wrap my arms around my waist, trying to hold myself together as I watch the sun slowly set through the bedroom window.
Even knowing what he’s doing right now, I can’t bring myself to feel anything.
My body is numb, but at some point, the dam is going to break, and I’m going to feel every single thing I’ve been repressing over the past few hours.
It’s going to hurt like hell, but I know it was the right call.
Ben tried to kill Marco and Andre. To kill my baby before they had the chance to even meet the world out here. This is the second time since he escaped prison that he has chosen to hurt me. That he showed me my life is worthless to him.
There can’t be a third time.
He needs to be stopped. He has to pay for what he’s done.
I need to do something. I can’t just sit here any longer. Hiding, waiting.
I sneak next door to check on Zoe. I fed her only an hour ago, so she’s fast asleep, her tiny fists curled near her face.
I watch her chest rise and fall with every sleepy exhale, envying how completely unaware she is of the blood that has been shed to keep her safe.
