Page 22 of Alessio DeLuca

But then cold air hits me and I freeze, my heart leaping into my throat. The window in my living room is open, the curtains fluttering in the breeze.

I know that window was closed and locked when I left yesterday. Which means…

“Hello, Maty.” A voice speaks from the shadows, low and menacing. “Long time no see.”

Slowly, I turn, my whole body going cold with dread. And there, sprawled casually on my couch like he owns the place, is a fucking blast from my past.

“Miss me, kiddo?” he smirks, but there’s no humor in his eyes, only a simmering rage. “Because I sure as hell missed you.”

“Ghost,” I manage to choke out, my tongue feeling thick and clumsy. “H-how… What are you doing here?”

He barks out a laugh, the sound harsh and scary. “Don’t play dumb, Maty.” He rises to his feet in one fluid motion, prowling closer. “You knew I’d find you eventually. You had to know you couldn’t hide forever.”

“That’s not… I wasn’t…” I stumble over my words, my mind fogging with panic. I take a step back, my legs bumping against the coffee table, and his smirk widens.

“Wasn’t what? Trying to screw me over? Left us for dead while you ran off to play house with the fucking mob?”

His face twists with ugliness. “Yeah, I heard all about your cushy new setup with the DeLucas. Their pet hacker, all cozy in their inner circle.” He spits on my floor, his eyes burning with hatred. “I bet you think you’re hot shit now, huh? Fucking untouchable? I’ll show you.”

“Ghost, please,” I whisper, hating the tremor in my voice. “What happened back then… It wasn’t my fault. I thought they killed all of you. I only survived because they needed me.”

“Bullshit!” he roars, slamming his fist down on the table so hard that a lamp goes flying. I flinch back, my heart pounding like a jackhammer. “Your snitching ass betrayed us all!”

“I didn’t snitch!” I cry, finally finding my voice. “I just tried to survive.”

His answering smile is cruel, full of malice. “Well, I’m here to drag you back to the real world, kid. No more playing pretend.” He closes the last bit of distance between us, grabbing my chin in a bruising grip. “You’re gonna pay for what you did. For betraying us. And if that means burning down this shiny new life you’ve built, brick by fucking brick?” He leans in close, his breath hot and rancid against my face. “Then that’s just icing on the cake.”

My mind races desperately, searching for an escape. But Ghost’s grip is iron-clad, and I know I’m no match for him in a physical fight. He’s bigger, stronger, and fueled by five years of festering resentment. My only chance is to try to talk him down.

“Ghost, listen to me,” I say, fighting to keep my voice low and soothing even as my entire body shakes. “I get that you’re angry. You have every right to be. I’m sorry, so sorry for whatever happened to you and the others.”

I see a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, the barest softening of his snarl, and I press on urgently.

“But this, coming after me, threatening my life? It’s not gonna change anything. It’s not gonna bring back anyone.” I swallow hard, tasting copper on my tongue. “Please, Ghost. Don’t do this. Don’t let revenge poison you. You’re better than this, I know you are.”

For a long moment, he just stares at me, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. I can hardly breathe, hope warring with fear in my pounding heart.

And then he laughs, a wild, unhinged sound that chills me to the bone.

“You stupid bitch,” he says almost with wonder. “You really thought you could bat those big brown eyes and I’d just forget everything?All the shit I’ve been through because of you?”

He shakes his head, eyes glinting with a terrifying light. “No more talking. No more excuses.” He tightens his grip on my chin, making me cry out in pain. “It’s time for you to face the consequences of your actions.”

And with that, he’s dragging me to the door, ignoring my struggles and screams. The last thing I see before a sharp blow to my temple sends me spiraling into darkness is his strangely calm face.

“Night-night, kiddo,” he croons. “When you wake up, the real fun begins.”

Then everything goes black.

* * *

Alessio

This fucking meeting is endless. All I want is to get back to Maty, bury myself in her sweet pussy and never come up for air.

But I force myself to focus, play the game. This is a critical deal, one that could secure our hold on new shipping lanes for years. I can’t afford to be distracted, not even by thoughts of my brown-eyed queen.

So I grit my teeth and negotiate, letting the cold, ruthless mask of the DeLuca boss slide into place. I’ve worn it for so long that’s it’s like a second skin by now.

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