Page 50 of Vendetta

Emerson glares at me but there’s nothing else he can do in this moment but just retreat.

We sit, me and Preston and watch as they carry Enzo away and disappear with their tails between their legs.

Blaine stands the whole time, waiting for them, no doubt hoping they’ll change their minds and he can get down to some real bloodletting.

When they’re gone, when it’s just us left he slinks back to his chair and growls with frustration.

I look over at Preston who’s pulling a face.

“Don’t tell me that wasn’t necessary.” I say.

“You cut his dick off.” He says and both me and Blaine laugh.

“What else did you expect me to do?” I reply.

Preston sighs. Sometimes I wonder if he even understands me but then I see he’s laughing. Blaine joins in and then all three of us are laughing.

“Did you see his fucking face?” Blaine says. “When his dick rolled out, did you see Emerson’s face?”

I laugh louder. By the time I’m finished they’ll all be in a similar state to Enzo, castrated, emasculated, their bodies showing on the outside what they are on the inside, worthless pathetic excuses for men.

Preston slides his phone to me. “We picked this up. Thought you should be aware.”

I narrow my eyes, taking the screen, staring at the footage.

“Where is this?” I ask.

“Few miles west of the city.” He replies.

“You think he’s actually back?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Looks that way.”

I clench my fists. I know he’s behind it, behind it all, all three of us know that but the fact he’s got the balls to come out of hiding makes me realise he’s grown up, evolved. He’s not the same man I faced off against six years ago.

“I want you on this.” I say to Blaine.

“I already am boss.” He replies. But of course he is. That’s why I have him. He already knows what I want, what I need before even I know it sometimes.

Her

I’m out shopping. There’s a big charity gala Nico is hosting this evening with anyone who’s anyone invited.

And he wants me there.

Beside him.

As his date.

I guess I shouldn’t be so shocked because from the offset he’s made it clear he wants everyone to know I’m his. As if he’s not ashamed of me. As if I’m someone worthy to be with such a man.

A smile creeps on my face at the thought.

That I’m there, in front of the entire city and all they can do is treat me with respect because Nico is making them. I never thought this was possible, that after the attack, after my face was ruined, that I’d ever live a normal life again, that I’d ever dare to raise my head and be noticed by anyone.

I flit from boutique to boutique. I have enough dresses already but I want to wear something daring. Something that shows off my body the way Nico likes.

He’s giving me my own bodyguards. They follow behind me, making no comment as we go. I have a chauffeur too. It’s surreal. I feel like a celebrity, a queen.

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