Page 39 of Dima's Vision
Kristie splutters, “What the actual fuck, Madrina!”
“You killed my love!” La Madrina screeches back at her, collapsing under her anger and the torture Gabe put her through. “You took him from me!” she pounds her chest. “We were going to rule the underworld and you stole him because you couldn’t handle how he was more powerful than you. You took him, you awful bitch!”
Kristie slumps in my arms and I take her full weight, just glad to have her here. The look on her face before Gabe arrived, I could see that I was losing her. With every little thing Maddigan and Madrina were doing to take White Kristie’s soul, it was sucking more and more life out of my woman. Thank fuck for Gabe because I may know how to kill and maim, but I have never had to fight against a soul possessed by pure evil.
“It was meant to be me and him against the world. Taking over NOLA but you ruined it,” La Madrina says, sadness seeping out of her.
Kristie composes herself, moving to stand tall. “You were there that day.”
“I drove him there. He needed to feed on the happiness to be strong and powerful.” She swallows, mind on that fateful day. “I saw everything. Saw you lure him to the alley. Saw you shoot him in the chest and then leave him like trash to die there on his own. I watched you run like a coward, then I held him in my arms. It was too late to get help. I kissed him one last time and told him I loved him and we’ll be together in death.”
“And the soul split,” Gabe murmurs.
“I woke up with the ability to ruin lives. So I leaned into it. I ruined every man I came across. Exploited their weaknesses. Stole their livelihoods, and in some cases, their gifts. You wouldn’t believe the amount of shit I have on all the rich and powerful who run this city.” She shrugs before cackling, ending in a cough that rattles through her, as if her ribs have been snapped inside her body.
“You used me.”
La Madrina huffs. “I mean, I can’t kill them all, can I? Shit starts looking suspicious. So, why shouldIdo the dirty work when I can use the poor little girl surrounded by death,” she mocks. “It was Maddigan’s idea. My love was always one step ahead.” She smiles gently, the look of a woman in love.
Kristie raises her gun, pointed directly at La Madina.
“You don’t have to do this,” I whisper in Kristie’s ear, knowing what La Madrina means to her.
“Yeah, babe. I do.” With little fanfare Kristie squeezes the trigger, La Madrina’s head jerking back abruptly before she slumps to the ground.
Kristie braces herself and I follow her lead, planting my feet, waiting for the whispers to come. I let them wash over me, all the sickening secrets, the lost dreams of Maddigan and her having a family, plans to take over New Orleans. All of it dips and swirls, running through my mind and body before a door slamming open snaps me out of the unfulfilled wishes of a madwoman.
“Huh. I wondered where those guys were,” Kristie says, turning to look at me as two suited men with guns in hand exit the mansion. “Your visions really need to get more accurate. Like, they didn’t even tell us it was Madrina all along. Or that Gabe would be here.”
“Well, they’re not set in stone,”
“Still. Be nice to be a little more accurate.”
“What the fuck is going on, La Strega!” one of the suit guys barks out.
I understand why. Their boss is currently on the ground, dead, and the Mancini Mafia hitwoman is standing in the garden with a gun in her hand and two strange men.
“I’m taking out the trash and I heard you two were being bad little boys.”
“What the fuck?” the stocky one yells.
“I know all about you two and the little boys you like to taste. You know the Mancini Mafia can’t let that type of behavior slide.”
“There is no Mancini Mafia without La Madrina,” the tall one argues back.
“In that case, I can do whatever I want with you.” Kristie turns to look at me. “Babe, do you think they need to visit the gym?”
I eye the men for a moment. “No, they seem very fit to me.” The stocky one stands straighter. “I think they’d be better off meeting Gretchen.”
Kristie beams up at me, before rising to her toes and pressing a kiss to my lips. “You’re perfect for me.
She spins and in quick succession lets out four rounds, two to the men’s gun hands, and two to a knee each, leaving them both squirming on the veranda.
“Remind me never to piss you off,” Gabe says lowly, staring at the men, looking a shit ton better than he was a moment earlier.
“Yeah yeah, just help move these two to Dima’s trunk please. I’ll call the Sanificatore to deal with her,” she waves at Madrina’s body before smiling up at her brother.
“Little sis, I’m still recovering from sending the souls on.”
