Page 27 of Until It Ends

Startled, I quickly try to conceal the phone, hoping that Rocco has not noticed. I turn to face him, my tone laced with irritation. "Do you knock?" I ask, my voice carrying a hint of defiance.

Rocco sneers, his gaze filled with a mixture of arrogance and disdain. "Not in my own house, I don't," he retorts, his words dripping with condescension. He strolls further into the room, his presence invasive and unwelcome.

Refusing to back down, I stand my ground. "Well, get out of my room until you've learned your manners," I retort, my voice firm.

He slams the door shut, his gaze piercing. "I can see you haven't learned yours," he mocks, a sinister undertone lacing his words. He prowls around the room, his eyes scanning my surroundings as if searching for something. My heart races, hoping that he hasn't discovered my secret.

With a menacing smile, he continues, his voice filled with bitterness. "You conspire with our enemy against us still," he accuses, his words slicing through the air.

My brows furrow, my voice tinged with frustration. "I'm not a traitor," I protest, my tone resolute. "You have no evidence."

Rocco's laugh is cold, devoid of any warmth. "Oh, I have plenty of evidence... sister," he sneers, relishing the power he believes he holds over me.

Fear and anger intertwine within me, fueling my determination. I refuse to let him intimidate me, to bend to his will. I stand tall, my voice steady.

He strides to my dresser with purpose, yanking open the drawer and rifling through my belongings.

Adrenaline coursing through me, I lunge forward and shove him away from my intimate items. "Don't touch my things."

But he seizes me by the throat before I can make it across the room, pressing me up against the wall until my toes scrape the floorboards. I feel a terrifying wave of dizziness as he chokes off my air, his hand tightening like a vice. My vision starts to grey out as he hisses in my ear, "I should kill you right now for what you've done, sparing my father this betrayal."

My heart thunders in my chest, fear and rage surging within me. I claw at his hand, trying to pry it from my throat, desperate for air. "You wouldn't dare," I gasp, my voice barely audible.

He leans in closer, his eyes smoldering with madness. "I would and I should. But I won't. Not yet," he growls, his grip loosening slightly. Then he throws me violently away from him.

I almost collide with the opposite wall. I gasp for air, coughing and wheezing as he releases me.

Rocco's eyes fills with malice. "You're lucky my father needs you alive," he spits, before turning and storming out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him.

Trembling from head to toe, I sink to the floor, tears streaming down my face. As I take a deep breath, I retrieve the hidden cell phone, my fingers tracing its contours.

Should I...?

Twenty-Six

Dante

Ipark my car a few blocks away from Rocco's business, the neon lights of the city flickering in the distance. It's a moonless night, and the darkness seems to swallow everything around me. This is the moment of truth, the culmination of our escalating conflict. The tension in the air is suffocating as I tighten my grip on the steering wheel.

I have received intel that Rocco's business is a front for some of the Cipriano family's shadiest dealings. It's time to put an end to it, to cripple them where it hurts the most. I take a deep breath, steeling myself for the battle ahead. There's no turning back now.

As I approach the business, I can hear faint whispers of activity inside. Rocco's goons are on high alert, ready for any threat that might come their way. But they couldn't possibly be prepared for the storm that's about to hit them.

I step out of the car, my footsteps silent against the pavement. The shadows embrace me like an old friend as I move closer to the entrance. My heart pounds in my chest, the adrenaline coursing through my veins. I'm ready for whatever lies ahead.

I push the door open, the creaking sound echoing in the stillness. I'm met with the sight of Rocco's henchmen, their eyes wide with surprise as they scramble for their weapons. But I'm quicker, and before they can react, the room erupts in gunfire.

Bullets whiz through the air, shattering glass and splintering wood. My senses are heightened, each shot a symphony of chaos and danger. I dodge and weave, my training taking over as I return fire. The room is a battlefield, and I'm in the eye of the storm.

Amidst the deafening sounds of gunfire, I catch a glimpse of Rocco. His face contorted with rage and hatred, he fires shots in my direction with reckless abandon. But I'm no stranger to danger, and I refuse to back down.

"You're a dead man, Dante!" Rocco's voice rings out above the chaos. "You and your precious Veritas empire!"

I smirk, my heart pounding in my chest. "Not today, Rocco. Today is the day your reign of terror ends."

The room is shrouded in smoke and dust, the scent of gunpowder filling the air. My vision is blurred, my movements instinctual as I fire my weapon with precision. It's a deadly dance, each step calculated to ensure my survival.

I know this isn't just about business anymore; it's personal. Rocco has taken something from me, something that can never be replaced. And I'm going to make sure he pays for it.

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