Page 109 of Of Oaths and Secrets

“Well, if it isn’t the infamous Rafaele,” Yuri sneers, his accent thick and mocking. “What will you do now? Shoot your little cousin?”

My lips curl into a humorless smile. “Do you think that will stop me?” My finger tightens on the trigger. I aim low, and the gunshot is deafening in the small room. Sofia screams, collapsing to the floor and clutching her knee as blood spreads beneath her.

Yuri curses, his momentary distraction giving me all the opening I need. I close the distance in two strides, grabbing the barrel of his gun and twisting it out of his hands. He lunges, but I slam the butt of my pistol into his jaw, sending him sprawling to the ground.

I stand over him, my gun trained on his head, my finger hovering over the trigger.

“Enough.” The sharp voice cuts through the room like a knife.

I whirl to find Alexei standing in the doorway, his expression deceptively calm as he points a gun to my head.

“Let me handle this,” he says, stepping forward. “He is mine.”

“Stay out of this,” I snap, not lowering my weapon.

“This isn’t your war, Lucchese,” Alexei replies, stepping further into the room. “Take your traitor and leave me mine. How are you doing, Matvey?”

“Matvey?” I glance at the man on the floor

Alexei nods. “My useless uncle who was supposed to be dead. He always wanted my father’s seat. It seems his ambitions didn’t die with his supposed burial.”

I hesitate, my rage warring with the logic in Alexei’s words. He’s right. This isn’t my war, not entirely. But it’s personal, and my blood screams for retribution.

“Take her,” Alexei says, jerking his head toward a weeping Sofia. “Let me handle my own traitor. But Matvey stays here.”

Reluctantly, I step back, lowering my gun. “Fine. To each their traitor.”

Matvey grins, blood dripping from his mouth. “You never understood how deep the game went, Alexei. She was always the pawn. But your supposedly dead daughter…” he trails off with a smirk.

The word “supposedly” reverberates in the room, and Alexei’s calm façade cracks for a moment. He takes a step forward, his gun trained on Matvey. “Lucchese, leave. This is not a matter for you.”

I glance at Alexei, then at Matvey. This is no longer my fight. I nod curtly and turn my attention to Sofia, who is clutching her bleeding leg, her face pale and etched with pain and terror.

Without a word, I grab her by the hair, yanking her to her feet. She screams, clawing at my hand. “You’re hurting me!”

“Good,” I snap, tightening my hold. “Trust me, this is nothing compared to what’s coming.” I drag her down the corridor, her cries echoing in the dim light.

Behind me, Alexei and Matvey’s voices fade, but Paolo catches my eye as I pass. He’s leaning against the bar, his facepale, blood seeping from his shoulder, but he’s still standing. His gaze flicks to Sofia, but he says nothing.

“Let’s go,” I bark. “This place is about to burn.”

Paolo nods, his jaw tight, but his steps are slower, his injury hampering him. I don’t wait for him as I shove Sofia through the exit. She stumbles onto the cold pavement, nearly collapsing, but I yank her upright.

“Rafaele, I… This got out of hand!” she stammers, her voice trembling.

I snort, opening the trunk of the car. “You touched my wife.My wife. Death is too good for you, but trust me, when I’m done, you’ll beg for it.” Without waiting for her response, I shove her into the trunk and slam it shut.

Paolo follows me out, his movements slower. I extend my hand. “Keys.”

“You sure you’re okay to drive?” he asks cautiously.

“No,” I say flatly, “but I’ll do better than you, crippled.”

He throws me the keys, and I catch them, slipping into the driver’s seat. Paolo lowers into the passenger side with a groan.

“I’ll drop you at the dispensary on Holden Street,” I mutter as I start the car.

“Fine,” he grunts, leaning his head back against the seat. “But you better not kill us before we get there.”

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