Lucien - Silvia Violet Page 0,75

narrow. I wasn’t sure I could finish the climb without passing out. I reminded myself Peter was counting on me and pushed on. One step at a time.

When we reached the top of the stairs, I motioned for Peter to stay behind me. I had my gun ready, and I prayed I could manage to hit a target. When I opened the door, I was ready to shoot anyone I didn’t know.

There was no one there. The house was eerily quiet, but before I could determine the best way to get Peter out of there, I heard my brother shout.

Adrenaline shot through me. I grabbed Peter’s wrist, and we ran to where we could take cover and see what was happening outside.

I told Peter to stay put and inched along toward the back of the house where the voices were coming from. A few seconds later, Peter laid a hand on my back as if trying to steady me. He’d completely ignored me about staying put. I needed him to let me handle this. I needed him safe, but I didn’t have time to argue. When we got out of there, I was going to make sure he understood that when I told him not to follow me, I meant it.

I heard Damian’s voice as we got closer. “Pledge allegiance to me, and you can see your brother again.”

Fuck. He was talking to Angelo.

“Bring him to me right now, and we’ll sit down and have a talk,” Angelo said.

“This isn’t a negotiation. My men and I can kill you all now, or you can work for me.”

Anger burned through me. How dare that bastard speak to my brother like that. How dare he think he could take all we’d worked for?

“These men aren’t loyal to you,” Angelo said. “If I take you out, they’re not going to give a fuck about your family. They’re only in this to advance themselves. Bring me my fucking brother.”

They were in a large sunroom. I moved a little closer to the door and leaned out just enough to see how the men were positioned.

Damian had his back to me, and Angelo was facing him. For a second, I thought Angelo might have seen me, but I couldn’t be sure. Devil was with him along with Marco. Stefan was standing next to Damian. At least my family knew he was the traitor now. Damian’s son was missing, and so was Vinnie. Maybe Vinnie was tracking Mario down.

Angelo was right about the rest of the men I could identify. All they gave a fuck about was themselves. Their allegiance went to any person they thought most likely to win a war. We were going to show them the Marchesis were always winners, then teach them a lesson about doubting us.

It was time for Damian to die. Angelo seemed to be stalling. Was he trying to hold out until Peter freed me because he knew this was my kill? If so, I was damn glad because it would feel good to put him down.

I raised my gun. Peter gasped when I stepped out into the open, but I didn’t hesitate. I sent a bullet into the back of Damian’s head, and he dropped to the ground.

For a moment, everyone but Angelo, Devil, and Marco seemed stunned. They all stared at each other, trying to figure out what had just happened.

Stefan turned, gun ready. Before I could react, a shot exploded and red bloomed across Stefan’s chest. He fell down beside Damian. I turn to see Peter, still holding up his gun with shaky hands. He glanced at me. “I told you I wanted to take care of you.”

When no one else moved against us, I laid my hand over his, encouraging him to lower his gun. “You did, baby. That was perfect.”

“Th-thank you.” All the color had drained from his face. He didn’t look any more steady on his feet than I was.

I took his arm and pulled him to stand next to me. A few of Damian’s men still had their weapons out, but I didn’t think they were a serious threat now.

“This is your one chance to ask forgiveness. After tonight, consider yourself my enemy.” I gestured towards Damian and Stefan with my weapon. “You see what happens to my enemies.” One by one, the men gave in to the inevitable, kneeling and begging me to forgive them. They would be punished, but they would live.

If I hadn’t had Peter by my side, I’m not