Page 27 of Vendetta

“He’s said some shit. Nothing we don’t already know.” Blaine replies.

I tilt my head, looking at the man who once I would have considered a father figure. Before he betrayed me the first time.

“Nico.” He gasps my name and blood splutters from his lips. Clearly Blaine gave him a good beating.

“You’re working for them.” I say.

He shakes his head. “I’m not. I promise. I’ve never betrayed you.” Like he can just pretend the last time didn’t happen.

“We found this on him.” Blaine cuts across nodding his head for one of the men to hold out whatever it is.

I narrow my eyes taking the phone, flicking through the messages he should have deleted. I guess I should be happy the man is such an imbecile that his own ineptitude is what will hang him.

“How do you explain that then?” I ask flashing the screen before his face.

“I…” He splutters knowing the game is up. “I’ll tell you everything. I’ll tell you all I know.” He says.

I snarl. This man has tried to play me so many times.

“Nico.” Preston says quietly.

“What?” I snap.

“I think we should hear what he has to say.”

He’s right. I know he is. Though I doubt Matuso has anything worth hearing we have to listen anyway.”

“Talk.” I say turning back to him.

He nods. “I loved your mother…”

“Not about that.” I snap. “I want to hear plans. I want to hear evidence. I want to know exactly what they’re up to.”

He nods furiously so. And then he talks. He talks so much. He doesn’t shut up.

And when he’s done, when there’s finally nothing but dull silence in the air I see that hopeful look in his eyes. He thinks he’s saved himself. He thinks I will forgive. That I will forget. Only I did that once before and look where it got me.

Blaine smirks. His gold teeth flash in the dull light.

I pull my gun. I could have one of my men do it. I could have them drown him, poison him, hell even beat him to death if I chose but Matuso betrayed me. Betrayed my mother too. It’s only right he dies by my hand.

I raise my gun, click off the safety, and pull the trigger.

The noise echoes around us. The bang reverberates in my ears.

Preston mutters something and I know what he’s thinking. That I should have waited. That I should have spared him until my brother was dealt with but I’m done being betrayed and I’m done turning a blind eye to it.

Blaine claps. His hands coming together loudly and a few of the men shift. They’re not all comfortable with Blaine’s particular brand of justice. The man’s a sociopath. We all know it but that’s why I employ him.

We can’t all play nice and with Blaine on my side it makes sure this city knows I’m not someone to be trifled with. Or at least it did until my brother came back to town.

Her

He’s been gone all day. The same as yesterday.

I make sure not to complain. As much as I miss him I know he has more going on than just me. So I spend the day baking. I’ve never been that much of a baker but I can follow a recipe well enough.

I make chocolate chip cookies first. They’re not bad, though they’re a little undercooked. I make a point of offering them to all the men, all the guards that seem to loiter in the downstairs space. They take them greedily and thank me. I like the fact they’re not afraid of me, that me fucking their boss, being with their boss doesn’t mean they’re scared of even looking at me wrong.

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