Page 68 of Vendetta

Not bad for a day’s work.

“From this day on the other families no longer exist. I have taken over their operations, I am now head of their families.” I say. “You all have passed the test. You are loyal to me and tomorrow I will distribute out new positions accordingly.”

I glance down, from this angle all I can see is the top of Eleri’s head. She’s not looking at me, she’s staring at the people around us.

“The Morelli family does not stand for insults, for traitors, for betrayal. You have been granted a mercy. Any sign of dissent will be treated swiftly and accordingly.”

I jerk my head for them to go and they jump up, clearly happy to be leaving. Clearly happy to still be alive.

Eleri gets up, facing me, cupping my face with her hand and I kiss it.

“You were magnificent.” I say.

“So were you.”

I smirk. “Let’s go home.”

“I thought this was your home?” She says.

I shake my head. “This place is more of a mausoleum than a home.”

She glances at all the dead bodies and in particular my brother. “I guess it is now.” She says and I can’t help but laugh.

I take her hand, leading her away from all the death. I can feel the wetness of the blood on her skin and I look at her. She looks like a goddess. She looks like an avenging angel.

“Were you not scared?” I ask.

“For a moment.” She admits. “Your brother told me about Rosa, he said you killed her. But then I reminded myself of what you’ve done for me, how you’ve saved me and I knew you’d never let me down.”

My lips curl for a moment at the confidence that she has in me. It’s almost outstanding.

“I didn’t kill her. Rosa killed herself.” I state. “She realised what she’d done, how Roman had seduced her, and that she’d contributed to my mother’s death.”

She shakes her head. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It was a long time ago and besides I’ve vanquished the ghosts now.”

“Yes you have.” She says pulling me to her, kissing me hard as if all this death and destruction has turned her on.

“I love you.” I say and she lets out a little laugh.

“I know.” She replies.

“Shall we go home?”

“Yes.” I say. Only she doesn’t know we’re not going back to the hotel. We’re going somewhere else entirely.

Her

“Where are we?” I ask looking around. I don’t recognise the roads, the houses, any of this.

“It’s a surprise.” Nico murmurs.

I roll my eye just as the car comes to a stop. Nico gets out, walks around and opens the door offering his hand for me to take.

“Trust me you’re going to like this.” He says.

I smile because I do trust him. I trust him with my life.

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