I step forward. “Put the gun down.”
“I should kill her. I should make you hurt for this. That bitch sister warned you, didn’t she?”
“You don’t have to die. Cut a deal with me. Kira’s life for yours.”
Matteo laughs, shaking his head. “I know you, Stellan. You’ll never let me live. After all the shit we’ve put you through, after the way we treated you like you’re not good enough just because you’re not full Italian, here you are, still a loyal fucking Corsetti dog. I was going to fix this family. You’re going to damn it to hell.”
“One more warning. Let her go.”
“Fuck that. And fuck you. I want to make you suffer, just like?—”
He doesn’t finish. Kira jerks her head back, slamming her skull into his mouth, and drops downward.
His gun fires and misses. His bullet catches the guard to his left. I raise my weapon and shoot. Matteo’s skull snaps back, his brains splattering the wall, as my soldiers gun down the remaining thugs. I’m running before their bodies hit the floor.
Kira’s curled in a tight ball. She’s covered in blood and gore. I grab her and drag her into my lap, hugging her tightly. “Tell me you’re okay. Kira, tell me you’re okay. Talk to me, baby. Tell me you’re okay.”
She slowly looks up. “I bit my tongue.” She pokes it out at me and grins.
I laugh with relief. “Could be worse.” I hug her so hard I probably break a rib, but she clutches at me just as tightly. I’m dimly aware of Saverino and the soldiers going through the place and clearing it while I hold my wife.
“Where’s Gem?”
“She’s safe. She got away.”
“Oh, good. All my screaming worked out, I guess.” She touches my face, head tilted to the side. “You got the book back, didn’t you?” Her voice is thick and slightly slurred.
“I did.”
“And you killed Matteo.”
“He deserved it.”
“Yeah, he really did.” She leans into me. “Now what do we do?”
“Now you and Gem go stay somewhere safe while we fix this place up and get rid of all those bodies.”
“You sure the bodies can’t stay? I was just getting used to them.”
“This is for the best.” I squeeze her tight. “I love you, Kira.”
“I love you too.” She kisses me. It tastes like blood. I hold her, drinking her in, until we finally break apart. “Now seriously, Ineed ice for my tongue. It’s a mess. And go make sure Gem’s okay, please.”
“Whatever you want.”
STELLAN
Afew months later
I lighta decent Cuban cigar and blow smoke across the big metal desk. Police Chief Jeffers frowns at me and waves a hand in front of his face, but he doesn’t tell me to put it out.
The man knows better than that.
Truth is, I don’t really like cigars that much.
But I’ve been playing defense and catch-up since my father died, and now it’s time to remind this city why the Corsettis are a power.
“An entire building burned, Stellan. We can’t just ignore that.” Jeffers watches me steadily. He’s doing his best not to let his frustration show, which is admirable.
