Page 143 of Broken Honor

Bugatti falls instantly vanishing over the cliff with a soundless drop. And then comes a thud.

Bellandi exhales smoke like nothing happened. “Oops.”

Riccardo swears under his breath. I grit my teeth.

Bellandi turns slowly, that shark smile back in place. “Now, your turn. Which one of you wants to go first?”

“You can have the diamonds. All of them.”

He raises an eyebrow. “That easy, huh? Do I look dumb?”

“Yes,” Riccardo quips.

“Then take me,” I say. “Let my brother go.”

He pulls out a lighter, flicks it open. The flame dances like a promise.

“But I’m not heartless,” he adds, almost cheery. “I’ll give you both time to say a prayer. How’s that?”

“You killed our father didn’t you?” Riccardo spits.

“Sadly no. He died because he was a bitch who didn’t go to check his heart before it gave way.”

He walks off laughing and for the first time, I pray cause it’s the only thing I can do. Bellandi isn’t going to be stopped at this rate.

Dio mio. If there’s anything left in me worth saving… if my brother can get another shot… take me. Just me. I deserve the flames. Let Riccardo go.

Riccardo groans. “This is what I get for getting clean? Should’ve stayed on molly. Would’ve passed out and missed the fireworks.”

Bellandi is back, metal can in hand, sloshing fuel over our legs, our torsos, the rope.

Riccardo yells. “You sick bastard!”

The last splash hits my collar. This is the end I guess.

Headlights cut through the trees. Gravel crunches under tires. Bellandi pauses mid-pour. He grins. “Finally.” He stands and raises his voice. “Father, bring the girl! I’m almost out of gasoline!”

The car door slams shut. It’s Enzo. Alfio. Omero.

Bellandi freezes, recognizing them, hand darting toward his hip. His pistol’s out in a flash, aimed straight at my head.

“Drop your weapons,” he snarls, voice high and unhinged. “Or I blow his fucking brains out.”

Behind him, our men are lined up in a semicircle, weapons drawn. The headlights from their cars throw long shadows across the hilltop. Boots crunch gravel. Triggers are twitching.

“Stand down,” Alfio barks, his arm slicing through the air. “Nobody moves!”

His eyes are locked on the old man. His stance is defensive, but he’s confused.

“Bellandi, come on, we are family. We can sort this out.”

Bellandi tilts his head and smirks. “Don’t be silly.”

“If you stop now, we can call it even. We’ll forget everything. The explosion at the dinner, everything,” Enzo says.

“What about my diamonds?” he asks.

“What fucking diamonds?” Omero asks.

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