Page 71 of Bloody Savage God
I get up and walk towards Mario, whose face is reddened from trying to throw profanities at me. Or maybe he is begging for his life. I don’t give a shit.
“So,uncle. Looks like it’s time we finally settle this.”
I rip the duct tape from his lips, craving the pained noises he’s about to make.
“Mateo, shoot them,” Mario shouts immediately, though to little avail.
“He killed Mr. Bruno?” Mateo asks, and resentment fills his expression when he looks at Mario.
I nod, and watch as Mario’s expression changes from outrage to a desperate anger. He knows he has no allies here. No protection.
“I have evidence planted,” he barks, clinging to that last strand of hope.
I nod in acknowledgement. “Yes, and you were dumb enough to tell me that already. Fortunately, I have the police chief and the mayor keeping an eye out for me, so I’m not too concerned.”
Aware that Mateo is watching, I stare my uncle down. “Now confess exactly how you got my father to meet you the night of his death.”
Even if hearing this will be painful, I need my men to know that Mario is truly the one behind my father’s murder, and hearing the details directly from his mouth is the best way to ensure that. Mateo will spread the word at his restaurant.
I lean in closer, my eyes fixed on my uncle’s face, waiting for his response. He glares at me, a mixture of defiance and fear in his eyes. Slowly, he begins to speak, his voice tainted with a hint of satisfaction, as if now that he’s resigned to his death, he’s free to show his true colors.
“You’re just like your father—naïve and weak. He thought he could do whatever he wanted, but he was wrong. I made sure of it.”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I refuse to let my emotions take control. With my right hand, I spin my father’s ring around my left thumb. I need to hear the truth, no matter how painful it may be. And, more importantly, I need to know if anyone else was a part of this.
“Tell me, Mario,” I say through clenched teeth, my voice steady, “how did you manipulate him into that meeting?”
A malicious grin spreads across his face, as if he relishes the opportunity to brag about his actions.
“It was easy, really. Your father was always so predictable. All I had to do was tell him Ronaldo senior requested a meeting to settle things after you stabbed his kid. I told him Ronaldo had reconsidered his alliance with the Russians after they fucked up protecting his son, and that he just wanted to get things settled, so there was no further backlash for his family. Your father thought Eric would meet us in the warehouse, and that we’d arrive well before Ronaldo would get there. It was almost too easy. He willingly walked into the trap I set, never even suspecting a thing.”
I struggle to maintain my outward composure, but inside me, a thunderstorm rages. Even though I’ve known for a while, the betrayal runs deep, cutting through my soul like a knife, tracing a wound that hasn’t had a chance to heal yet. My father, a man I admired and loved, was deceived by his best friend. Hadn’t even suspected how far into his hatred my uncle had sunk.
Mikhail steps up next to me. “Did you plan to frame me from the start, or did that occur to you after you shot him?”
A manic expression crosses over Mario’s face. “Genius, wasn’t it? It came to me as we walked into the building. I mean, really, the whole thing was just too perfect.”
Ice runs down my spine. “Not that perfect, since you’re here now.”
The man deserves to be gutted the way Mikhail suggested earlier. He deserves to feel pain. But he doesn’t deserve any further attention. Doesn’t deserve to haunt me any further.
I just need him gone.
“Mateo,” I say, keeping my voice low. “Give me your gun, please.”
Before Mateo can move, Mikhail reaches back and pulls a SIG from under his belt.
“Here, take mine.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Gianna
Ifeelthewarmsteel of the gun in my hand as I step closer to him. It’s as if Mikhail’s body has transferred some of his passion into the weapon. Some of his lust for blood.
Mario’s eyes are wide with terror now, his body trembling. He really never expected it to come down to this and, for a second, I almost understand. This shouldn’t be what happens to family.
Never.
