Page 119 of Crowned In Blood
The words hit me like a physical blow.
He killed his father? My uncle had killed my parents? And he knew?
I tried to find their killer for years! The bastard had fucking helped me investigate! That's what got me into gathering intelligence on mafia families in the first place. And all that time, it was one of our own.
I fisted the dirt, wanting to rush to him and beat him until there was nothing left. But if I tried, he'd shoot me. I couldn't even curse at him. If I did, I'd leak our location and put myself and Catalina at risk.
Catalina's grip on my arm tightened, her body taut, lips twisted into a snarl as her rage fed my own.
"You became obsessed with Catalina. I thought it would pass. Ibelievedin you. Then you went to Italy and let me lead. I loved it. Every ounce of it. Having people look up to me, listen to me,obeyme? It was incredible! And what did you do when you came back? You gave it all away toher! You want me to answer to some bitch all because you wanted some fucking pussy? Are you insane?" Anthony's voice grew shriller, more unhinged with every word.
"I knew you'd lost your mind then," Anthony spat. "You didn't even realize I knew all about the trafficking, because I worked with Fernando, Simon, and Felipe while you were gone. If it wasn't for that bitch, Julianna, you would haveneverfound them. I hid all the evidence because you couldn't be trusted. All you cared about was what you thought was right, instead of what opportunities and profit could be made. Without you, this famiglia will flourish under my command."
He knew…
He knew about everything.
When we were little, Anthony was my best friend, my confidant. Somewhere, after my parents died, he'd changed. It was just a little, but it was there.
I thought it was because he was grieving, too. He spent so many nights over at our house to get away from his own father that he'd become like a brother to me. But I was so deep in planning everything, their funeral, the future of the famiglia, trying to keep us afloat that I didn't pay attention. I didn't see him, and now, my men and Catalina's familia had suffered because of it.
Catalina squeezed my arm again. "It's not your fault. Don't let that motherfucker make you doubt yourself for one second. You're better than that," she whispered in a sharp voice.
I nodded. She was right. That didn't erase the guilt I felt, but now wasn't the time.
Anthony fired another round of gunshots. Then he stepped into the street. His face was twisted and deranged. Sweat coated his brow, and his grin was wide, like a cat that had caught his prey. But it was the small black object in his hand that made my breath catch in my throat.
It was a detonator.
"You have two options," Anthony yelled. "Since I missed at the penthouse, either you and your bitch come out here and kneel in front of me, so I can make sure I get you both this time, or I press the detonator in my hand and blow up the bunker. It's your choice."
Shit!
Catalina had to stay hidden while I got the detonator away from him. But the bunker was over five-hundred feet away, and there was no way either of us could rush Anthony before he pressed the button.
It was also possible Anthony wasn't alone. If he was working with Felipe, he may have kept the guards at the bunker alive, giving him reinforcements, while ours, at best, were fifteen minutes out.
Catalina's voice cut through my thoughts. "I have an idea."
I turned to her, and the determination on her face chilled me to my core.
"No," I said firmly.
"You don't even know what it is," she hissed back.
"I know it involves you sacrificing yourself. No, Lina."
Catalina's eyes bore into mine. "Marco, do you trust me?"
"Of course I do, but?—"
"He wants me. He wants you to suffer by watching me die. That's why he aimed for me at the penthouse and not you. That's why he keeps mentioning me. If he thought you were on his side, he might let you live."
My jaw clenched. "No, he won't!" I snarled in a whisper. "He's too far gone for that."
Catalina pressed on. "Marco, he still wants you to suffer. He thinks I've replaced him, so he wants the competition out, and he wants to make you beg for my life. Like he said, you're too hard to kill. He's not going to kill me until he knows you'll see him do it. He wants that power over you. That's why he wants us on our knees in front of him."
"Lina—"
