LOGINChapter 114Silence falls again. Heavy. Suffocating. Like the air before the storm. I turn to Elias. My Beretta raised. The cannon pointed directly at his forehead. Our eyes meet. One last time. In his eyes, I don't see fear. No. I see acceptance. Resignation. And somewhere, buried deep down, a glimmer of defiance. He doesn't look away. He doesn't beg. He doesn't cry. Respect. A last vestige of what we once were. Two brothers in arms. Two men linked by blood and fire. But those days are over. “To God, Elias. »My voice is calm. Almost sweet. “See you in hell. »My finger tightens on the trigger. BANG. The gunshot explodes in the room like a clap of thunder. The pungent odor of the powder instantly invaded the confined space. The bullet hits Elias square in the forehead. His head snaps back violently. A black hole appears between his two eyes, perfectly centered. Own. Surgical. For a split second, he remains standing. As if suspended in time. His eyes still open, frozen in
Chapter 113I remain standing in the center of the room, dominating the assembly with my gaze. They are all there, crowded on the sofas and chairs like condemned men awaiting the verdict. Pathetic. I start pacing, my hands clasped behind my back, adopting the air of a professor about to deliver a masterful lesson. “What exactly did you believe? »My voice is calm. Too calm. “Did you think I was going to rot in jail? That I was going to languish behind bars while you lived your little quiet happiness? »I stop, turning abruptly to Elias and Alaya. “And today, here I am. Out. Free. »I chuckle bitterly. “Well... free is a big word. I am a wanted man. A fugitive. Hunted by the cops, by my enemies, by anyone who would want my head. »I point an accusing finger at them. “And it’s all your fault. Both of you. »The silence is heavy. No one dares to breathe too hard. I resume my wandering, letting my words hang in the air like toxic smoke. “But you know what? I'm going to tell you so
Chapter 112Eight minutes and forty seconds. The sound of an engine. Slamming doors. I jump up, rushing to the window with the grace of a predator who has spotted its prey. My fingers part the curtain a few centimeters just enough to observe without being seen. An ordinary car. A piece of shit sedan that has seen better days. Elias comes out, his features drawn, his gaze haggard. And by his side, that bitch Alaya. Her hair blows in the wind like she's in a fucking romantic movie. Pathetic. My eyes scan the street with the attention of a hawk. Every corner. Every vehicle parked. Every window of the buildings across the street. Nothing. No unmarked cars. No suspicious silhouettes. No vans stashed on the street corner. A smile stretches my lips. " Perfect. »I let go of the curtain and turn towards my two hostages who stare at me with terrified doe eyes. I wink at them before calmly heading towards the entrance, adjusting my jacket with a careless gesture. The door opens slowly.
Chapter 111The phone crackles in my hand. I hear the voice of Elias, that fucking idiot who thought he could challenge me. “Hello dad, how are you?” »I smile. An icy smile that no one sees, but that everyone feels. “Hello Elias,” I respond in a soft, almost fatherly voice. “It’s Santino. »The silence that follows is delicious. I imagine him, this little bastard, freezing like a rat caught in a trap. His breathing quickens. Panic rises. I savor it. “Damn, Santino!” Leave my family out of this! »Apart from that? I chuckle inside. In my world, there is no “outside”. When I'm owed something, everyone pays. " Ah good ? » I let the words linger, playing with him like a cat with a mouse. “I just wanted to pay your parents a quick visit. »The old man sits there in front of me, his eyes wide, not yet understanding the hell his son has plunged him into. The naivety of innocent people has always amused me. “Give me my father!” Pass me my sister! » shouts Elias into the receiver. " No.
Chapter 110SANTINO’S POINT OF VIEWThe road opened before me, straight, endless. A line of asphalt winding between fields of olive trees and wheat, drowned in the pale morning light. The engine purred softly, a steady, almost soothing sound that masked the tumult in my head. I had been driving for a little over thirty minutes. Air rushed in through the half-open window, mixed with the smell of leather and tobacco. On the passenger seat, my black coat. And under my shirt, at my waist, the familiar weight of metal. A cold, reassuring presence. My weapon. I hadn't said anything to Nina. I got up early, before she woke up, left a quick note on the table:“I’ll be back before dark. Don’t worry.”She would have asked me questions, and I wouldn't have known how to lie with her eyes on me. So I left quietly, like a ghost leaving its refuge. The road to the village took a little over an hour. I already knew the direction. I had studied the maps, spotted the secondary paths. I wanted t
Chapter 109SANTINO’S POINT OF VIEW- What ? I said, exhaling the smoke. He raised an eyebrow. “You’ve changed, Santino. —Is that supposed to be an insult? - No. It's just... surprising. I smile, ironic. — You can't stay a demon all your life. —A demon, maybe not. But a Ricci yes. And a Ricci never forgets. I felt his gaze weigh on me. I knew very well where he was going with this. — What are you talking about? He leaned towards me a little, his voice lower, firmer. — You're not going to tell me that you forgot Elias and Alaya? The name hit me like a slap. My smile faded. I remained silent for a moment, the cigarette dangling between my fingers. “…Revenge,” I murmured, thoughtfully. Luca narrowed his eyes. - Yeah. Revenge. The one that made you survive all these years. The one you risked your neck for. I didn't answer right away. A light wind passed, causing the candle flame on the table to flicker. I took a deep breath, my thoughts scattered in the noise of the ni
Chapter 70AMENDA’S POINT OF VIEWI got out of the car with a heavy heart, my hands still trembling from the emotions of the audience. Alaya finally had a chance at freedom, but that damn bail loomed over us like an unclimbable mountain. Two hundred thousand euros... I'm biting my lip just thinking
Chapter 74ALAYA’S POINT OF VIEW—So, Alaya is free... after what she did. Luca. I felt my blood freeze in my veins. His black eyes flashed, his body tense like an animal ready to pounce. Beside me, Amenda frowned, her cheeky courage still at the forefront. — Luca, now is not the time... He tu
Chapter 72THE POINT OF ALAYA POINTI was just dozing on the hard mattress of my cell when the metallic sound of the lock pulled me from my thoughts. The door opened and a policewoman entered, her step firm, her voice clear:“Alaya, pick up your things. You can go out. You are free. Free. The word
Chapter 79LUCA’S POINT OF VIEWThe sky seemed to have chosen to cry with us. Heavy, thick clouds covered the entire city, and a fine rain fell on the black umbrellas lined up. Everyone was there, dressed in black, with sunglasses to hide tears or the coldness of their eyes. I stood slightly behin







