Page 116 of Heir of Darkness

As a new family of three, they walked out of the house. It was only then that Luna smelt the gasoline, a bottle of it sitting on the front porch. Finn helped Eleanora into the back seat, while Luna climbed in the passenger seat. He got in himself, opening the window and tossing a match out. Luna saw the trail of fire lead up to the front door before it was completely engulfed in flames.

They drove away, leaving the fire behind them. Soon, not a single trace of the home would remain. Her childhood and her father would both be ash, just a distant reminder. She closed her eyes, letting the tears run freely.

It was done. She was finally free.

FORTY-SEVEN

VALERIO

Disarmingthe security system allowed Valerio, Dante, and Allister to enter the woods behind the home to find the underground tunnels.

These tunnels were the same way that Valerio used to sneak from his home to the cabin, especially after he lost his mom and before he was sent to Italy. His father knew about the tunnels, but since his property was already protected, he never considered it a big enough threat to close them up.

Good thing for Valerio.

He kicked down the door, quickly climbing up the steep steps to the room that led into the basement. It was more like a cellar, used as a room where “business” took place back in the old days.

He gave Dante and Allister a lasting look, making sure they were prepared for what they were about to do. They only nodded their heads in confirmation, communicating without needing words.

With that, they navigated the long halls and stairways to get to the main floor. Valerio entered first, holding the gun up in defense in case anyone caught them. The hallway was clear.

The three of them took quiet, quick steps, making their way to the study on the second floor. After any trip, his father alwaysspent time there, attempting to catch up on work that he missed. He just hoped his father was still a man of habit.

Two guards stood outside of the study, both armed and dangerous. Without a second thought, Valerio lifted his gun and fired at both, the noise canceled out by the muffler. They fell to the ground in instant, perfect shots to the head.

“I don’t think there’s anyone else here,” Valerio told them. “But keep your eyes peeled. We’ll carry the bodies into the study so that if someone walks by, they won’t see them and be alerted.”

“They'll see the blood,” Dante pointed out.

“Harder to see blood on the floor than it is to see two bodies,” Valerio said.

“I’ll stay out here while you guys go inside,” Allister said. “You need that moment alone.”

He was right. This was justice Valerio and Dante needed to take alone.

“Stay hidden. Holler if you need backup.” Valerio clapped him on the arm. He knew Allister was good enough to hold his own, but he would never leave his best friend out there alone.

Valerio and Dante grabbed hold of the two dead guards and with another swift kick, forced their way into the study. He surveyed the room in an instant, finding no one else there but his father.

They pulled the dead men in, closing the door behind them.

Cesare lifted his head, appearing unfazed until he saw it was Valerio standing in front of him. “What the fuck are you doing here?” he asked, clutching the pen in his hands.

“Don’t act so surprised,” Valerio said. “You had to have known this was coming. Or are you surprised I managed to survive the bullet to the back that you sent me?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Cesare said, his tone disingenuous.

“Don’t lie to me!” he screamed, losing all cool. “For once in your life you are going to tell the truth.”

“And if I don’t? What will you do? Kill me?” Cesare asked, crossing his arms. “I have guards posted everywhere in this house.”

“I don’t care,” Valerio said. “To see you dead would be worth a bullet to the head.”

“You’re fools, both of you. I never thought I raised coward sons, but here you are. Following in on the same suicide pact your mother had,” Cesare hissed.

Valerio slammed the butt of the gun against his nose, hearing a sickening crack. “Watch your mouth about my mother.”

Dante stepped up. “The first thing you are going to do is confess to killing Alec.”

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