Maybe remembering when she was little. When she'd looked at him with love instead of fear. When he could have chosen to be a real father instead of a monster.
But then his face hardened. The moment passed. Whatever humanity existed in him crushed under years of violence and cruelty.
"You and your brother are a disgrace to the Accardi name. Weak. Emotional. Unfit to carry on what I've built."
The gun started to rise again. Aimed at Kai's head.
Lia's screaming got louder. "No! Papa, no! Please!"
A shot rang out. Everywhere went still, it was that kind of stillness that is described that comes with death, I stared at Kai eyes and he stared at mine. But none of us moved, then slowly I veered to look at Salvatore and that was when I noticed, there was a shot.
But not from Salvatore's gun.
Salvatore jerked. His gun hand exploded in blood and bone. The weapon fell, clattering on the floor.
Marco stood in the doorway beside Lia. Smoking gun in his hand. Expression grim.
"That's enough. It's over."
Kai moved. Fast as lightning. Rushed his father. Tackled him to the ground. Pinned him there with knees on his chest and hands on his throat.
"Don't. Fucking. Move."
Guards rushed in. But not Salvatore's guards. Men I didn't recognize. Wearing vests that said Council Authority.
They pulled Kai off. Hauled Salvatore to his feet. Cuffed his hands behind his back even though one was mangled and bleeding.
Father Benedetto entered. Looking grave. Sad. But also satisfied. Justice being served.
"Salvatore Accardi. You are under arrest by order of the Council for the murder of Don Antonio Romano. For conspiracy to commit murder. For unauthorized territory expansion. For treaty violations. And now, we'll add attempted murder of your own children to the list." He gestured to the guards. "Take him. Let the Council decide his fate."
Salvatore looked at Kai. Blood dripping from his ruined hand. Face twisted with rage and something that might have been pain.
"I should have killed you years ago. Should have strangled you in your crib. Should have ended your miserable existence before you could betray me."
Kai's face went cold. Empty. Like something had died inside him. Then he spoke with a coldness I have gotten to realize only his father stirred up inside of him.
"I'll see you rot for everythingyou've done.
The guards dragged Salvatore away. He fought. Struggled. Screaming threats and curses. His voice echoing down the hallway until a door slammed and cut him off.
I stood there. Legs shaking. Mind trying to process that it was over. Actually over.
Then my legs gave out, Kai caught me. Lowered us both to the floor. Held me while everything I'd been holding in came pouring out.
Sobs. Violent and uncontrollable. Relief and terror and joy and grief all mixed together.
"It's over. It's finally over." I couldn't stop saying it. Couldn't believe it was true. "He's gone. We're safe. We're actually safe."
"We're safe." Kai's arms tightened. "You're safe. That's all that matters."
Lia collapsed next to us. Crying just as hard. Kai reached out. Pulled his sister into the embrace. Held both of us while we fell apart.
The three of us. Survivors. Battered and broken but alive.
We'd made it. Against impossible odds. Against a monster who'd tried to destroy us.
We'd survived.
