think I came unprepared, did you?”
The room falls silent.
“I have information that will ruin your family. When word gets out about what Christian was doing, no one will want to deal with you.”
Fausto gasps. “The information, you made copies?”
“Of course, I did.” I chuckle, blood trickling down my chin. “If anything happens to me, that information will be made public knowledge.”
“How?” Santo questions. “Everyone you trust is here.”
“Not everyone,” I reply, measuring my inhales because it suddenly hurts to breathe.
“The American,” he sneers, teeth bared.
“Maybe,” I counter. “Or maybe it’s the new army I’ve formed. You’ll go back to Russia and be hunted. Don’t believe me? Go to the port and see the three lifeless bodies of your friends. Even long after I’m dead, I’ll haunt you. I’ll haunt every fucking Macrillo until I drive you insane.
“So you can kill me, but the moment you step foot in Russia, you’ll be maimed. You have no allies left. I killed them. And the ones left standing abide by my rule now.”
“Vincenzo, we can’t allow this information to get out. It’ll ruin us,” Fausto says, trying to get him to see reason. “We will be left on the streets like nothing!”
“He killed Christian!” Vincenzo repeats as though we need reminding.
I watch Saint closely as I know how he works. He is beyond clever, and right now, he is mapping out every escape route in his head. It’s too late for me, but he can save the rest.
“Just kill her already, Papa!” says the other Macrillo boy. I can’t remember his name. I wonder where Santo’s other son is. He has, had four boys. Now he only has three.
“Santo, don’t be stupid,” Fausto says angrily. “Think of what this will do to your sister. To Mila. This will destroy everyone. Enough death has befallen this family.”
Now they’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. Revenge means they will be ruined. Is it worth it?
“Fine,” Santo snarls. “But she cannot go unpunished. I’ll let her live, but the last thing you’ll see will be your little puttana on her knees.”
I notice Saint look at Pavel as their goons are too busy enjoying the show to notice them conspiring. Taking a closer look at Pavel, I see he has something in his mouth. I subtly shake my head when I realize what it is.
It’s an explosive device trigger of some sort, but the question is, where is the bomb? I won’t allow him to sacrifice himself this way. I’m already dead.
“Let me say goodbye,” I say, gripping the arms of the chair as I need support to stand.
“Christian didn’t have that luxury,” Vincenzo snarls.
“Sta ‘zitto,” Fausto scolds, as he realizes this is the best compromise where he wins.
Hobbling toward Ella, I focus solely on her because I want my last moments on this earth to be filled with her.
“Oh, Alek,” she cries, shaking her head. “You’re hurt r-really bad.” She tries to stop the bleeding, but I won’t soil her hands.
“I’m dying, красавица,” I amend. She needs to know this is the end for me, but not for her. “I’m sorry I failed you.”
“Shh,” she coos, reaching out to support me as I sway on my feet. “You didn’t. You m-made me whole. I-I lo-love you.”
A pained hiss leaves Santo because regardless of what she’s done, he will always love Ella. And it kills him that she’ll never feel the same.
“And I love you.” I press my cold lips to hers, using what strength I have left to kiss her tenderly.
“Fight,” she sobs against my slack lips. I wish I could.
Inhaling her scent, I commit her to memory because when I leave this plane, it’ll be knowing I was loved unconditionally by a woman who changed my life forever.
I don’t want to let her go, but I must. I’m running out of time.
Shuffling over to Saint, I place my hands on his shoulders and nod. I don’t need to say a word. He knows what I want to say. When he returns to Russia, he’ll tell Willow that I’m sorry I left without saying goodbye.
I press my lips to his and kiss him chastely.
Pulling away, I shakily wipe away the blood smear I left behind. He grips my wrist, tears in his eyes. “Мне жаль. Я подвел тебя.”
“No, my friend, you didn’t fail me. You are my brother in arms.”
Max is next in line, and when he allows me to kiss him, I feel forgiveness for what I did to Sara. I don’t deserve