Page 11 of Veil of Ashes

Rizzi entered like he owned the world. Jacket sharp, tie loose, smirk wide. He looked down at Benedetto and said one line.

“Deal fell through. Not my fault.”

Then he walked.

No hesitation. No flare of conscience.

I could’ve stopped him. Pulled the trigger. Put a bullet through the back of his head and ended it right there.

But I didn’t. I hesitated for a second, and I lost my brother.

Rizzi disappeared into the dark, and Benedetto bled out with his mouth open.

Back in the present, I exhale through my nose. Count the seconds until my pulse slows again.

Below, Rizzi downs his whiskey, smashes the glass on the table, and barks for another. A waitress scurries over. He slaps her on the ass as she leaves.

He’s even fatter than he was then. Richer. More reckless.

Benedetto died for a shipment Rizzi rerouted and blamed on ghosts. The Collective rewarded him. I bled for it.

But tonight isn’t for justice.

It’s for control.

I watch the way Rizzi moves, how often he touches his chips, how many times he adjusts his sleeves. He has tells—little ones. He’s anxious. Maybe paranoid. But he hides it well behind the swagger.

The man’s survived this long because he’s careful. Or because the people around him are disposable.

But I’m not the same as the ones he’s burned.

I’ve already crawled through the wreckage he left. Already buried my brother, burned my own name, and started building the weapon that’ll end him.

Her name is Sylvara D’Agostino.

I check my phone.

The message came at dawn.

Fine.

One word. Sent after sunrise. Something must have happened. She was probably attacked or threatened. I’ve seen the way her instincts twitch before danger steps into the room. She doesn’t say fine unless she’s already bleeding somewhere.

And still, she said yes.

Which means the plan is in motion. Which means Rizzi has no idea how close the noose is.

I slide the phone back into my coat. My hand stays near the gun, but I make no move to draw it.

Revenge is a process.

I’ll tear Rizzi down piece by piece. Strip him of his protections. Dig through his deals. And when I’m finished—

When he’s blind and desperate, clawing for a way out—

Then I’ll give him the same mercy he gave my brother.

None.

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