by Lylah James
“If you value your lives, I suggest you put your guns away,” I said lightly, moving forward.
My men were surrounded by Alberto’s men, but it didn’t scare us. In fact, his men should be cowering in fear. After all, I had their boss.
I could already see the fear in their eyes, but they weren’t cowering yet. No problem, though. They would be kneeling in front of me in no time.
“Bring him out,” I ordered Viktor. He nodded and opened the car, pulling Alberto out.
They cocked their guns at me, and I tsked at them in return. “You don’t want to do this.”
Their eyes widened at the sight of their boss. There were gasps. Some paled. Some stood back, and others froze in shock.
I loved the look of fear in their faces. But I would love the look of surrender more.
Nikolay pushed Enzo down in front of me. I controlled their lives. There was no escape. I just won this bloody game.
“Viktor, I think these men are deaf,” I drawled. “Can you do something about it?”
A shot rang out in the courtyard. A man fell down…dead.
Before they could retaliate, Nikolay, Phoenix, and Viktor already had ten men shot down. I stood back, watching the scene in front of me.
“Stand down and no more lives will be lost,” Viktor growled. “Not that I mind killing all of you. But it’s for your own good.”
They slowly put their guns away, and I raised an eyebrow. That was easy.
All of them were a bunch of pussies. Weak. Cowards.
Shaking my head in disgust, I stepped forward. I gripped Alberto’s hair and snapped his head up. “There is no point if you shoot at me. The war is over. Alberto is in my hands, practically dead.”
I raised my head and leveled each and every one of his men with a hard glare. “So I suggest you stand back and enjoy the show.”
I kept my unwavering eyes on them as I continued. “Whether you like it or not, I am taking over as your boss. It doesn’t matter if you agree with me. If you disagree, you will take your last breath. It’s simple. You shut up and watch what I am about to do.”
More of my men spilled out of the cars, flanking my sides. Viktor and Nikolay stood in front of me.
“Phoenix, bring Artur out,” I demanded.
Releasing Alberto, I walked over to Enzo. I saw a few of Alberto’s men taking protective steps forward. But with my men’s guns pointed in their direction, they stopped.
I took my gun out and pointed it at Enzo’s forehead. “I’m about to show you what happens when you side with the wrong people. You should learn from this.”
Nikolay handed me a clear bag. I raised it up for everyone to see. Several men took a step back. Enzo’s severed dick was in it. I threw the bag on the ground next to their feet.
Their shocked gaze moved to it before staring at me again. “This is what happens when you choose the wrong side.”
My finger pressed against the trigger. A shot rang out, and I smiled. Enzo fell at my feet, his eyes open, staring at me lifelessly. One man down.
The driveway was silent as I kicked Enzo’s body away.
Keeping my eyes on Alberto’s men, I walked to Artur. Phoenix handed me the bag with Artur’s tongue in it. For everyone to see, I threw that on the ground too.
This time, I pointed the muzzle of my gun to Artur’s neck. He swallowed. After giving me a final look, he closed his eyes. He didn’t have any fight left.
My gaze moved to the crowd. “And that’s what happens when you betray me.”
Another shot. Artur’s limp body fell to the ground. Blood splattered on my suit as I stepped away.
“Lesson number one. Never betray me. You won’t like the consequences,” I growled loudly for everyone to hear.
I made my way to Alberto. His whole body was shaking. He tried to fight me, but he was too weak.
Gripping Alberto by the hair, I pulled him up. He stood on trembling legs. “How does it feel? Having your men watch your demise? You have no honor. No power. You have nothing left.”
My words were low for only him to hear. His choked on his own blood, his body falling limply forward. “And in a few minutes, you will be nothing but a corpse,” I finished, spitting in his face. Alberto flinched, and I could hear the angry rumble from his men.
But nobody made a move to come save their boss.
I pulled away slightly before lurching forward again. My foot hit his knee, a loud crack resonating through the courtyard. Alberto buckled forward, his legs giving out as he roared in pain.
I released him, and he fell to his knees in front of me. Just where he needed to be. Beneath my feet. He fell to his side, rolling in agony.
I squatted down beside him, my mouth next to his ear. “I know how to break two hundred and six bones in a thousand ways. You are just lucky that I didn’t use all one thousand methods on you.” Although I found the idea very tempting.
“I’ll give you an easier death, just because I want to return to my woman quicker. You heard her. She’s waiting for me. And it’s very rude to keep a lady waiting,” I said lightly, playing with his mind.
“I want everyone to watch!” I bellowed, snapping my head up.
Letting my rage take over, I pulled out my spiral knife. I had made my first kill with that knife. It was only fair that I avenged my woman with the same knife.
I pressed my blade to Alberto’s neck.
My blade made the cut, slicing his neck. He gurgled and struggled out of my hold. The cut wasn’t deep enough to cut any major arteries.
I had other plans for him. That cut was just the start.
The blade of my spiral knife trailed down toward his chest. His eyes widened, recognition flashing there. I didn’t give him a chance to think, though. He screamed when the knife stabbed into his chest.
Blood was everywhere. On the ground. My clothes. My hands. My face.
But I kept going.
I thrust the blade repeatedly into his chest. Alberto had long stopped struggling.
Of course he did. He wasn’t breathing anymore.
The sound of the blade cutting into his flesh filled my ears. Blood and flesh meshed together, his blood pooled around us.
He deserved everything and more. I was just pissed that I couldn’t torture him more. His death was too easy. Too easy.
“This is what happens when you take something that doesn’t belong to you!” I roared out, twisting the knife deeper into Alberto’s chest.
When the hole was big enough, I dropped my spiral knife on the ground. I pushed my bare hand into his lifeless body. Then my fingers made contact with what I wanted.
I ripped his fucking heart out.
I stood up, covered in blood. Throwing the heart on the ground, I stared at everyone. “I am your motherfucking King!”
My voice boomed loud and clear. Everyone understood the meaning.
“Bow down,” Viktor growled.
That was the worst. Kneeling in front of your enemy. Serving your enemy. Bowing in front of him.
But they had no choice. I owned them now.
When nobody bowed, I smiled. “Anyone want to challenge me?”
I opened my arms wide, inviting any opponent. Without a second thought, a large man charged toward me. He never even made it a foot near me. Viktor got him halfway.
Throwing him on the ground, he lay there…dead.
More men rushed toward me, trying to end my life.
But none of them made it to me.
I stood back, watching my soldiers…my men fight for me. Blood was spilled. Men lay on the ground, dying. Some were already dead. I watched the chaos around me, laughing.
They really thought they stood a chance. No fucking way. Not this time.
This time it was my turn to rule. With my queen…my Angel by my side.
When the willing opponents stopped moving, I walked forward. From the corner of my eyes, I saw one coming my way. Taking the knife from my back, I made the throw.
Straight in the left
eye.
The man fell to the ground lifelessly.
Turning toward the crowd, I raised an eyebrow in question. “Anyone else?”
Silence.
My words were met with silence.
And then one by one, they knelt down in front of me, surrendering.
The one thing my father couldn’t do, I accomplished it today. Two decades of pain and enmity, I ended it today.
The Italians belonged to us.
“I have rules. But I will go over them next time. For today just remember, do not betray me. Ever. What you saw today was only a show. Don’t test me. You won’t like the consequences.”
I paused, wiping my hands with my handkerchief. “Viktor, pull the bodies together.”
Alberto, Enzo, and Artur were pushed together in a pile of dead bodies. Nikolay handed me the lighter. I clicked the lighter open, watching the flame dance around.
Keeping my eyes on Alberto’s men…now my men…I threw the lighter on the bodies. Nikolay threw another lighter on the bodies too. They instantly inflamed. The fire danced around the corpses, the smell of burning flesh filling my nostrils.
I watched the bodies burn, my Angel’s tormentor one of them. Her nightmare was finally over. Ayla was finally safe. Our daughter would be safe.
I had avenged my Angel in the only way I knew how.
“Respect. I demand respect from all of you. Not just me but for your Queen, Ayla Abandonato. If I ever hear someone disrespect her, you will take your last breath. You are beneath her. She commands you, and you fucking do whatever she says, like a fucking loyal dog,” I growled low, making sure everyone understood the rule.
They bowed their heads.
A smile whispered across my lips.
I was done here. Turning around, I got into the car.
I’m coming for you, Angel.
Chapter 25
Ayla
Maddie sat beside me, painting her toenails deep red as I tried to focus on my book. But I just couldn’t.
My mind kept going back to Alessio.
“Ayla, relax,” Maddie mumbled. “I can feel the tension from here. It’s not good for the baby.”
“I just worry,” I said, turning to face her.
Her forehead furrowed. “Worry? About who? Alessio?”
I nodded sheepishly. “Girl, you should be worried about the men he captured. Definitely not Alessio.” She laughed.
“But he’s taking so long,” I argued back.
“Because he is prolonging their death,” she shot back with a wink.
That shut me up. Because it was probably true.
I stayed silent until Maddie released a loud breath. She got off the bed and walked to my dressing table. “You know, I can’t believe this is Alessio’s room. I never thought I would see the day. A dressing table. Closet filled with women’s clothes and shoes. A little feminine touch to the room,” Maddie said, looking around the room. “You got him wrapped around your little finger, babe,” Maddie gushed, coming back to the bed with a different nail polish.
She settled in front of me, sitting cross-legged. Maddie took hold of my feet and gently pulled them to her lap.
“Wait. What are you doing?” I asked, trying to pull away.
“Stop moving. Let me do your nails. It’s not like you can reach your feet now,” she mumbled, taking the cap off the nail polish bottle.
It was partly the truth. Because of my large belly, it had become harder to reach my feet. I could only imagine how it would be further into my pregnancy. Would I even see my feet? Probably not.
“Is this color okay?” she asked, showing me the light pink bottle.
I nodded. The color was pretty and one of my favorites. Silently, I watched Maddie apply the color to my nails.
Nowadays, Maddie had been quiet. Quieter than usual. There was a dark shadow in her eyes. Sometimes I would notice the sad expression, the tears in her eyes.
No matter how much she tried to hide it from me, I saw past her fake exterior.
Artur betrayed all of us. But Maddie was feeling most of the pain. My chest tightened at the thought, and I grabbed her hand.
“Maddie,” I started. “Talk to me.”
She stared at me questioningly and then laughed. “Talk about what, silly?”
I shook my head. There she was again. Laughing when it was probably the last thing she wanted to do.
“Stop lying and stop hiding from me, Maddie. I know you. I know what Artur did hurt you more than you’re letting me know, but please don’t keep it inside. It will only hurt you more,” I tried to soothe.
Her chin wobbled, and she blinked her tears away. “You don’t know anything,” she whispered.
“Because you won’t tell me. I could ask anyone, but I want you to talk to me,” I replied, moving closer to her.
A tear fell down her rosy cheek, and I quickly swiped it away. I would be there to wipe her tears away, only if she’d let me.
Maddie opened her mouth to say something but quickly snapped it shut when a knock sounded on the door. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“It’s nothing, Ayla. Please let it go,” she muttered.
I could feel the back of my throat closing, the emotions suffocating me. “It’s not nothing,” I whispered back when another knock came.
“Let it go, Ayla. Please.”
When a third knock came, I closed my eyes. “Come in.”
My eyes fluttered open to see Nina standing in the doorway. My mouth fell open in shock, and Maddie turned around to face the door too. I saw her eyes glistened with anger.
“What are you doing here?” she hissed, getting to her feet.
Nina stepped into the room. “I’m not here to argue. I want to talk to Ayla.”
Her voice was calm, her eyes never wavering from mine. She stared me down, and I stared back.
“Well, she doesn’t want you here. Actually, nobody wants you here. Get. Out,” Maddie growled defensively.
“Can you stop speaking for her? She has a mouth,” Nina snapped back.
“Ayla,” Maddie said, turning to me.
I shrugged, facing Nina again. “What is it?” I asked.
Nina scoffed and crossed her arms. “I’ll make it quick and only say it once.”
I raised an eyebrow, waiting for her to continue. She flipped her blonde hair over her shoulder and walked closer to the bed, her heels clicking hard against the floor.
Nina paused and took a deep breath. “I’m here to make amends.”
“You little bitch,” Maddie swore.
“Can you stop talking for a minute so I can speak? Did your on-off button break or what?” Nina sneered.
Maddie stared at Nina, gaping. “Thank you,” Nina joked, turning her attention back to me.
“As I said, I’m not here to fight. Actually, I’m here for the opposite. It’s due time that I do this now. What I said way before, it was out of line. I shouldn’t have insulted you like that,” Nina started, her voice firm.
Her eyes were cold, her face expressionless. In that moment, she reminded me so much of the Ivanshov men.
Her words brought back the scene in the kitchen. I looked down, remembering all the things she said and how the words had pierced my heart.
“I know it’s hard to believe when I tell you that I didn’t mean them,” she continued.
My head snapped up, and Maddie scoffed, rolling her eyes. Nina glared holes into Maddie’s head. “Fine,” she growled. “Maybe I meant it a little. But I was bitter and angry. It’s no excuse, but please know I had no intention to cause you serious pain.”
I rubbed my stomach, seeking comfort from my princess as I tried to take in Nina’s words.
“It was mostly a test. To see your strength. If you really were strong enough for Alessio. To lead with him.”
“Well, she is way stronger than you,” Maddie spat.
This time, a tiny smile appeared on Nina’s lip. It was a ghost smile. It was there for a second and gone in
the next. “I have no doubt in that.”
Her words went straight to my heart. I knew she wasn’t talking physically. Her words held a deeper meaning, and in that moment, I was thankful she said them.
“This is why I’m here to apologize. I am sorry for what I said. You’ll be seeing more of me, so I thought it would best if we’re on good grounds,” Nina explained. “I don’t want Alessio. Yes, I fucked him before. Not going to lie, and I sure as hell am not going to sugar-coat it for you. But Alessio and I are over. We were over the moment he fell for you, and I respect that decision,” Nina continued in the same monotone voice.
Taking a deep breath, Nina moved to my side. Maddie took a protective step toward me.
“I’m not going to hurt her. God, who the hell do you think I am?” Nina said, clearly looking offended that Maddie wanted to protect me from her.
“Someone who needs to get lost very soon,” Maddie replied, glaring at Nina.
“Well, that’s not going to happen,” Nina shot back.
They both glared at each other, and I rolled my eyes. Why did I get a feeling that I was going to be stuck with two Maddies? Or was it two Ninas?
Oh my God.
I cleared my throat, and both of their attentions snapped to me. “I understand what you mean. And I think I forgave you a long time ago, Nina.”
Shrugging, I gave her a small smile. She didn’t smile back. I wondered if she knew how to properly smile?
“I guess we can start over,” Nina said after a few silent seconds. She gave me her hand, waiting for me to shake it.
“Nina Ivanshov,” she introduced.
I took her hand, my heart beating wildly. “Ayla,” I introduced back. Swallowing hard past the sudden lump in my throat, I continued. “Ayla Abandonato.”
Nina’s hand tightened around mine, and this time she smiled. It didn’t reach her eyes, though. They stayed cold.
“Not for long,” she replied with a raised eyebrow. “You will be Ayla Ivanshov in no time.”
My eyebrows furrowed in question, and when understanding finally dawned to me, I looked down, feeling my cheeks flushing red.
Maddie suddenly squealed as I released Nina’s hand. “Oh my God. Yes! She’s right! Oh my God. Ayla Ivanshov. That sounds perfect, right? Right? We have so much planning to do.”
