Pulling a Sharpie out of my pocket, I step toward him. “Look at me,” I command, and he lifts his head. I write Retribution across it, and his eyes harden.
“It was you!” he hisses, and Trey slams Vincenzo’s back down to the table. “I should have known when your sale never went through.”
I shrug a shoulder. “Yes, you should have. Instead, I killed them all and destroyed many others.” I smile before backing away. “It’s your turn now.”
Special Agent Susannah Gerhardt
I squeeze Rebecca’s hand as she passes me. “Are you okay?” She nods.
“I want more.”
“I know, so do I. But hopefully, each of us getting a piece and then watching the others will be enough to help banish the demons. You deserve to sleep at night, and your mom deserves to rest in peace.” I lean over and give her a hug. “I love you, sweetie.”
“Love you too, Auntie Sannah.”
Blowing out a breath, I step forward into the light. Vincenzo’s eyes are on me, but I ignore him as I peruse the wall of torture instruments. “Who the fuck are you?” he growls, trying to sound dominant when he still has a dildo up his ass.
“I’m the sister of the woman you killed.” His brows furrow. “Sorry, I know I have to be much more specific, seeing as you’ve murdered so many. I’m Elizabeth Rossi’s sister and Charlotte’s aunt.”
His gaze drops to the pliers I have in my hands. “What are you going to do with those?” he sneers.
I lift them in the air, studying them. “These? I haven’t decided yet. Such an innocent-looking tool, isn’t it?” I walk around him, which makes his ass clench in fear when I step into his blind spots. I let the pliers touch his leg, running them up it as I walk past.
I stop in front of him, weighing my options. Beads of sweat form on his brow, dripping down his face. “I think I’ve decided,” I start, moving over to where his hands are chained to the table. “These hands tore my sister and brother-in-law to pieces. They were innocents, having never done anything in their lives to deserve what you and Tony did to them.”
Lifting his pointer finger, I clamp the pliers around the base. “Now I need to make sure you can never use these to hurt anyone again.” I twist the pliers, the sound of bones cracking and snapping echoing throughout the room. Vincezo lets out a scream and tries to yank his arm free of me.
Unfortunately for him, the chains prevent that, and I get to work on his other fingers. By the time I’m done, Vincenzo is covered in puke and has passed out from the pain. Tossing the pliers on the ground, I feel like I might throw up too. I don’t think the revenge business is for me.
Pushing the twins out of the way, I make it to Dutch’s cell just in time to throw up in the toilet. Pulling myself up, I lean over the sink, my chest heaving. Switching the water on, I rinse my mouth out and splash the cool water on my face, closing my eyes as I get my breathing under control.
The others make it look so easy, but I’m not built for this. I’m not sorry for what I did; it was less than he deserved after destroying our lives. Am I glad Vincenzo will die today? Absolutely. Do I judge the others for needing revenge? No. Do I want to participate in any more of it? Big fat no.
Blowing out a breath, I make my way back, catching Dutch’s hand in mine. “I’m sorry, I’m done for the day.”
She pulls me into a hug. “Don’t be sorry, this isn’t for everyone. And there’s nothing wrong with that. You’re a good person, Susannah. An amazing one. Don’t let our thirst for vengeance change you.”
I nod and catch Theo’s eye. Tilting my head toward the stairs, I leave the rest of them to it.
The Duke
After Susannah and the twins make their departure, Dutch finds a bucket and fills it with water. She dumps it over Vincenzo’s head, washing away the vomit and waking him. He looks awful, his face an almost green color, heavy bags under his eyes. His fingers are pointing in every direction, unnaturally bent in places they shouldn’t be.
I step forward to allow Vincenzo to see me. There are so very many things I would love to do to him. Flay his skin open with my whip. Peel his dick like a banana. Carve my name into his chest. He glares malevolently at me, and I sigh.
“Are you going to be like Cesare?” I ask him, and his brows lower farther.
“What do you mean?”
“Pathetic. I’ve heard so much about the feared Gianelli brothers, how terrible and mighty and cruel you all are. Yet Dutch and Cruz brought Dante down with an Alexa, a drone, and a little LSD. And Cesare?” I laugh, placing my hands on my knees. Thank God I found some spare clothes upstairs and I’m no longer wearing that fucking nightgown he put me in.
“What about Cesare?” he growls out.
“He was like a fucking baby. A massive disappointment. Made me realize that you can all dish it out but can’t take it in return.” I curl my lip and look him over. “You’re just like him. Weak, pathetic. You’re not powerful. The two of you were nothing more than Dollar Store Sopranos. When we’re done here today, not a single person will miss you or mourn you. You’ll simply slip into the void of nothingness, your name forgotten, your legacy taken by your rival. It will be as if you never existed at all. Poof.” I blow my hands out to demonstrate my point, then walk away.
I don’t need to torture him to get my revenge. My words will eat away at him during the time he has left. They’ll devour him, sending him into the darkness, where his own demons will destroy him.
I take Ryan’s hand as Dutch and Cruz step forward, curious to see what lengths she’ll go to for revenge.
