Page 81 of Bittersweet Endings
I had to swallow back the unwanted shiver. The way Rocco had destroyed a dozen armed guards like a man possessed. By the time JP knew what was happening, the men outside were dead and blood was all over the inside of the plane.
The weight of it all settled on my chest. The fact that I was still here, that this was happening, felt surreal. A part of me was numb—a small part. But the rest of me was alive, burning with the need to end this.
Even worse, the pulse between my thighs only heightened. Sitting in front of his father, all I could think about was Carmine between my thighs. Once this was over, the high would end, but my body was primed for him.
“You got me. Now, what do you plan to do with me?” JP sneered.
After decades of control, men like JP spiraled when they lostit. He knew he wasn’t going to survive this, but deep inside, he couldn’t face that.
Men like him didn’t die. And certainly not at the hands of a woman.
I turned my gaze to Carmine. “I’m sure your son has a lot of plans for you. After three decades of your bullshit, I’m betting he will be very creative too.”
JP’s eyes flicked between us. “So this bitch speaks for you?”
I couldn’t stop myself. I laughed and it came out harsh, almost manic. “I’m not just some bitch, JP. Haven’t you figured that out yet? You’re the one who called me a queen.”
Before he could respond, I moved. The gun in my hand swung and with all my strength, I slammed the butt into his head. His body jerked and he cursed, slumping back into his seat. Stunned.
For a second, he just sat there, blinking at me in disbelief. But the anger in his eyes didn’t waver, while my hand stayed steady on the gun, the cool metal comforting in a way I couldn’t explain. Even as my heart pounded against my chest.
My father’s biggest flaw had been his overprotectiveness. It left me open to those closest to him. When they thought they were protecting me, I was at someone else’s mercy. That wasn’t the case here. JP didn’t give a single fuck about Carmine. The only joy he found with his children was hurting them.
This wasn’t my moment. It was Carmine’s.
JP groaned, but the dazed look on his face wasn’t enough. Carmine deserved to see him broken, to see him suffer the way he had as kid. Carmine had wrapped a hand around the neck of each of my demons, ending them with a flare only he possessed. He’d wanted me to have my peace.
It was time I returned the favor.
“Your reign is over. The moment you raised a hand to yourchildren, you showed how weak you were. When you killed your brother…” I said, and Carmine sat up straighter. “…you showed how dumb you were. Now it’s time you paid up for all those stupid decisions.” I pivoted in my seat. “You set me free from my nightmares. It’s your turn now.”
Carmine gave me that panty-melting smirk of his right before he pulled me in. Our lips connected and the world melted away before he quickly released me and smiled at his father. “You’re nothing but a man who’s spent his life pretending to be king of something, but look at you now? Pathetic.”
JP tried to pull himself upright, but Carmine didn’t care.
“Now, let’s see just how far you’re willing to crawl, to beg for mercy, because you won’t get it from me.”
“Do your worst,son,” he growled.
“We will.”
JP rolled his eyes.
“Matteo. Lorenzo. All clear. Come in,” Carmine called out, and JP flinched, barely, but it was there.
His other sons walked into the plane, taking in the mess. Carmine stood and punched his father in the face. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he looked down at the man slumped in the seat. His brothers approached, silent but ready to follow whatever Carmine decided.
“I want him gone,” he said. “Take him back to Cali. We end this there. In front of everyone. Let them see what happens when you cross a man like me.”
Lorenzo saluted. “Back to Cali. Put him on ice.” He chuckled before moving towards their father, who was groaning weakly.
The older man’s eyes were unfocused, disoriented. He blinked past the confusion and glowered at his youngest son.
Lorenzo’s smirk widened, his hands working quickly to tietheir father up. “You got it...Capo,” he said as he dropped to his knees in front of JP. “I’ll tie him down like the dog he is.”
JP muttered something incoherent, as he tried to fight. Lorenzo grabbed him by the shoulders and dragged him upright.
Carmine didn’t smile or laugh. He just stared at his father, barely paying me any mind as I squeezed past him. I nodded at Matteo as I moved, his hand on my shoulder making me pause. We didn’t speak, but the slight squeeze and tilt of his head were all the thanks I needed.
