Chapter 15 My voice cracked before I could stop it . With my hands trembling and eyes burning , I lifted my gun- BANG ! The bullet struck the gun in Chris's hand , knocking it clean from his grip . The weapon clattered to the marble floor , skidding out of reach . Chris flinched , stunned . His breath caught . " I - Ivi ... " I lowered the gun slowly , still shaking . " Who said you could die ? " My voice came out cold - too cold , even for me . " We're not finished , stupid brother . You still have debts to pay . " Chris's eyes glossed over , emotion clouding his features . He looked like he didn't know whether to weep or laugh . But I wasn't looking at him anymore . I turned to her . Marian . Her grip on the pistol had tightened again , her eyes twitching in confusion and fury . " Is this your grand plan , Marian ? " I said , voice laced with mockery . " This little hostage trick ? I thought you were smarter than the rumors claimed . I mean- you are the mastermind behind it all , right ? " BANG ! I fired at the ground just inches from her feet . Marian stumbled back with a shriek . Don Matteo stepped in immediately , shielding her with trembling arms . " That's ENOUGH ! " I laughed . Laughed like the fire in my chest was finally singing . " How sweet ~ " I sneered . " Daddy dearest , coming to the rescue . You do love her , huh ? What a touching sight - if it weren't so pathetic . " Gunfire cracked behind us . Lothario took down two approaching guards Darling . I Remember 1/4 30.3 % 7:08 Mon , Sep 15 70 without a word , moving like smoke through shadows . Anyone who raised a weapon near me was dropped before their finger even reached the trigger . Don Matteo raised his gun . But he was too slow . I darted forward and kicked it from his hand . The gun flew , landing with a sharp clatter several feet away . Don Matteo stumbled back . " So much for being a mafia lord , " I scoffed . " You've always been a coward . That's why you needed Fiore . That's why you hid behind children and titles . " He lunged at me in desperation . Mistake . I grabbed him by the lapels and slammed my boot into his chest . He crumpled like paper . Again . And again . Each kick thundered with years of betrayal . " You ruined my mother's life ! " THUD . " You ruined mine ! " THUD . " You don't get to walk away from this ! " He wheezed . Blood dripped from his lip . Marian screamed . " STOP IT ! " she shrieked . Tears streaked her face as she aimed a pistol - but not at me . She grabbed one of my soldiers , holding a knife to the woman's throat . " Back off , or I'll kill her ! " I froze . Then I laughed again , bitter and sharp . " Is that all you know how to do , Marian ? Use people ? " I stepped closer . Marian backed away , blade trembling . " Don't come closer - I said STOP ! " Too late . I lunged and twisted the soldier free from her grasp . Marian stumbled , Chanter 15 2/4 30.9 % 7:09 Mon , Sep 15 wide - eyed . I " Fight me yourself , " I hissed . " Or is even that beneath you ? " We circled each other in the hall . 70 She drew a blade from her boot - a slim rapier , sharp as her tongue . I raised my hands , gun tucked away . I wanted this clean . Personal . The others gave us space . She slashed first . Her sword carved through the air , elegant but angry . I ducked , dodged . Marian fought like a dancer : refined , calculated . But her fear bled through every movement . I didn't go easy . I used only one hand , still I drove her into retreat - step by step . A painting shattered behind us . The marble floor was slick with blood and dust . Our history burned around us . She lunged again . I caught her wrist . Spun her . Disarmed her . Her blade skittered across the floor - my hand caught it mid - air . I pinned her against the wall , the sword pressing to her throat . She gasped , paralyzed . My hand trembled - but not with mercy . " Don't worry , " I said , voice low . " I won't kill you . Not yet . You don't get an easy death . Not until you've suffered like I did . Like she did . " Marian's lips trembled . She tried to scream , but no sound came . Then- BOOM . A second explosion rocked the hallway . The distant echo of a blast sent plaster raining from the ceiling . Lothario cursed . " We've got company . " Sam appeared from around the corridor , pale . " It's them . Mafia hunters . They're inside . " " Shit . " Ökazlar 15 374 31 7:09 Mon , Sep 15 " Shit . " Before I could react , a bullet whizzed past my ear , embedded in the wall behind me . Another struck the floor inches from Marian's head . Chaos erupted . Ivanna's soldiers clashed with a new wave of masked men in tactical black- skilled , efficient , and ruthless . Lothario grabbed my arm . " We have to fall back ! " " But- " " NOW ! " I turned to my men . " Take the prisoners ! " We bound Don Matteo and Marian before they could recover . Dragged them out through the east wing as gunfire stormed the halls . Chris stumbled after us - still alive , half - conscious , held up by Sam . We fled through burning corridors , the screams and bullets behind us growing louder . This wasn't the end . This was only the opening of a darker war . Chapter 14 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!