Chapter 55
Lucas
It took us only twenty minutes to get to where Rory and the kids were kept. The entire time, I kept one hand on my gun and one eye on Adrian. I didn’t trust him. The deal still rankled me, and I sure as hell didn’t trust what he may have planned.
But I also had no choice. I had signed away my title, and my Mafia. If I walked into a trap, it would all be for naught.
If Adrian was leading me into a trap, I would go out fighting.
“We’re here.” Adrian said as the car came to a stop. When I didn’t open my door, he rolled his eyes. “Oh, I’m not here to ambush you! Look, I’m telling the truth. Okay?”
“Step out.” I said and pointed my gun at him. “Just so I know.”
Adrian grimaced but ultimately obliged. He held his hands up above his head and stood with his back to my door. Satisfied, I opened the door and stepped out.
No gunshots greeted us, no hidden assassin lurched from the shadows. So far, he was holding up his end of the bargain.
“Happy?” He asked without turning around. “We don’t have much time. They’re inside, and Carmine doesn’t know about them.”
I had to ask. “Why are you doing this?”
“Why?” Adrian sounded annoyed. “Let’s just say that somebody talked some sense into me. I stick with the old man, and he’ll fuck me harder than anyone’s ever fucked you. You’re my ticket out.”
“Slowly, keep your hands where I can see them.” I narrowed my eyes as we approached the door.
“Fine, fine.” Adrian did as he was told and slowly opened the door.
“You first.” I gave him a push with my foot, keeping the gun a safe distance away in case he tried to grab it.
The air inside was still, but I could hear the distinct sound of crying children. My heart skipped a beat. Adrian wasn’t lying. Behind a rack, I saw Rory and her two children. They were all blindfolded, but otherwise unharmed.
“See?” Adrian turned around, hands still raised in the air. “I’m a man of my word. So, let’s talk about what happens next.”
“Next?” a smile rose on my face. “What makes you think that there’s going to be a next?”
“But…” the surprise on his face was the second sweetest thing I saw all day. “We had a deal. You gave your word.”
“It’s like you said, Adrian.” I cocked the hammer on the pistol. “I stole the Cavazzo Mafia out from under you. If I did it once, what makes you think I won’t do it again?”
Realization dawned on his face and he fell down at my knees. “Please! Please, Lucas, I fucked up. I didn’t know what I was getting myself into. You have to understand!”
“Understand?!” I roared. “I understand plenty! You killed my best friend, you killed my second-in-command, and you got into bed with Carmine fucking D’Agostino! Did you think there wouldn’t be consequences? Did you think that people would just follow you? After you’ve double crossed your previous Don, and your current partner?”
“I—” Adrian tried to protest, but I heard enough.
“When you see Cosimo, tell him his legacy is in good hands.”
“You can’t!” Adrian gasped. “We had a deal! You can’t do this.”
“I’m Don Valentino of the Cavazzo Mafia,” I replied. “I can do whatever the fuck I want.”
Rory and her children screamed as the pistol roared, and Adrian’s body crumpled to the side.
***
I hurried over and removed the blindfold from Rory’s face. She was in a state of shock, but when she saw me, the panic eased somewhat.
“Where is Nico?” She asked. “Where is Leda?”