“I said don’t call me that.”
“You’re right. I keep forgetting we have different fathers and mothers. So, big win there for us both—we’re not brothers. I just got used to the term over the years. I gotta say I was probably as shocked as you to find that one out.”
He sounds a little clearer. My breath stills, and I listen carefully.
There’s a shuffle of footsteps, but it sounds like it’s everywhere. There’s no way for me to pinpoint where the fuck it’s coming from.
Fuck. Where the motherfucking hell is he?
“I would have liked to have my ring,” he speaks again. “Father said I had to re-earn it after we lost Micah Santa Maria. What a prick they both were. They both thought they were gods. But you know what, Alejandro?”
“What?”
“So do you. I’m about to show you, you bleed just like a man. There’s nothing special about you.”
I hear one step echo around me. It’s a heavy thud. Just once.
Again, the sound comes from all around me, and there are four corridors to choose from.
One more heavy thud, then the explosion of a gunshot follows, but something knocks into me, making me stumble backwards.
In the mix of sounds, a woman screams with anguish. I expected the gunshot to piece through my heart. And it would have, but what knocked into me was Lucia, and she got shot instead of me.
She falls to the ground screaming, and Thiago jumps out practically in front of me laughing.
“Looks like I get two for—”
I don’t let him finish. I end him with a bullet to his head. It cuts off his words, and the next two bullets in his chest and neck as he goes down finish him off.
I spare him nothing more, not even another look.
Lucia got shot.
Lucia got shot trying to save me.
“Lucia.” I kneel down beside her and cradle her face as she cries. The blood is pouring from her chest.
“I’m sorry.” She cries.
I rip away her T-shirt so I can see where she got hit, and my soul shrieks when I see the wound near her heart.
“No.” I shake my head. “No, this can’t be happening.”
She reaches up and touches my face. “I love you. I love you, Alejandro.”
“I love you, too.”
“I never meant to hurt… you. Forgive me, please.” Her voice sounds so weak.
“Oh God, I forgive you. I’m going to get you to the hospital.”
“It’s so cold. I don’t think I’m going to make it. I think I’m going to die.”
“No, stay with me. Don’t you fucking dare say that to me. You can’t die.”
“I’m sorry. Tell my baby girl Lucia… loves her.” Her lips part, and her eyes flutter closed.
I feel for her pulse, and my heart plummets when I find nothing. She’s not breathing either.