Deadly Vows - Chapter 19 (Patreon)

Luca

It has been two days since Elise passed out. Tearing open her wounds and moving around like she did caused them to get infected, and the infection is causing her a high fever. I sit once again by the bed as she breathes quietly, with her lips slightly parted. The doctor gave her some antibiotics to help get rid of the infection, so she will be waking up any day now. But all the shouting she did and overexerting herself has wore her already-weakened body out even more.

I can feel the anger boiling up within me. If I hadn't made a deal with Stefano, I would have already shot Arianna dead. I’ve told her to say goodbye to Elise, but came into my home and tried to convince her cousin against me. And by doing so, she has got her riled up and sick.

Someone needs to put Arianna in her place, and that someone is going to be me. Stefano obviously isn’t going to. He lets this bitch have her way with whatever. Arianna is too confident in her position, and I don’t like that. At all. I smile as a plan already unfolds itself in my head. I know just how to put her in her place.

I pull out my phone and call Stefano. He answers on the first ring.

“We’re going to have a little change of plans.”

* * * * *

I stand at the top of the massive dining hall, looking down at the grand dinner table. This is going to be fun. We are stationed above the table, and currently, only one person is seated there at the bottom. Arianna. She is unconscious from the sedative. She is locked in a chair, with her hands bolted to the underside of the table. Stefano stands next to me, squirming uneasily.

“Are you sure this is necessary, Capo?”

I frown immediately as Stefano’s voice cuts through my pleasure-filled haze. I look at him in irritation.

“You’re not backing out on me now, are you, Stefano?” I ask.

I make sure to keep my tone steady. He obviously is uncomfortable. He can’t even look me in the eye. Hmmm. Maybe this capo thing isn’t a good idea for him.

“No, sir,” he says. But his voice is still wavering.

I quickly pull my gun out from behind me, aiming it right between his pathetic eyes. I have zero tolerance for pussies.

“Let me explain something to you. If you do anything to jeopardize this plan, I will shoot you where you stand and kill your wife slowly and painfully.”

He swallows and nods visibly. Coward.

I look away as Nicolai and Romelo step into the room, followed by several other men. I can feel the light tingling on my skin as the anticipation of what is about to happen draws nearer. Nicolai looks at me with a knowing gaze.

“Everything’s set, Capo.”

I nod in acknowledgment. Below us, Arianna is jolted awake from her drug-induced sleep. She quickly looks around, breathing hard, but unable to really move. And that will be from the little drug we have injected into her bloodstream. It allows her to be awake and conscious, but her body is as good as paralyzed. The doors below open, and in file the people that I despise most in this world. The Trovolis. All the disgusting men in this family that have dared plot against me. We used Arianna’s phone and sent a message to all the people of the Trovolis that she is having regular communication with. By pretended to be her, we have called a meeting in this location.

They all walk in unaware of the situation that is about to occur. Some are laughing. Some are silent. Some are skeptically scanning the room. I laugh softly to myself. Idiots. Once they have all entered and are seated, the doors close behind them and, unbeknownst to them, are locked.

Arianna is looking with frantic eyes as realization dawns on her about what is about to occur. Smart girl. I grab the mic and clear my throat, ready to speak into it.

“Good evening, Trovolis.”

They all immediately jump and scan the room, some even pulling their guns out. Idiots.

“I know you probably all thought you were summoned here by your dear Arianna to come up with another treacherous plot to dethrone the newest capo of the North, Luca Pasquino. Well, you weren’t.”

Some of them are shouting obscenities and frantically looking around. They won’t be able to see us, though. The way this room is built … well, it is built for massacres.

I raise my hand, and my men get their guns ready, aiming them down at all the filthy vermin below.

“You have been summoned here by the man you’ve been aiming to kill. I know all about your plots and schemes. And quiet honestly, I’m fed up with it. Thanks to your dear Arianna, I know all your business.” I can’t help the laugh that erupts from deep within me as I look at them all frantically searching and looking. Disgusting people.

“Rot in hell, motherfuckers!”

I lower my arm, and a chorus of gunshots erupts throughout the chamber. I watch in pleasure as they all get shot down. Each of them trapped like the cockroaches they are. A pleasurable feeling seeps into my bones, and I can’t help the smile that creeps onto my face as I watch the floor and walls slowly become painted with red. I see Stefano flinch next to me as his dear Ari is almost hit. Cunt. If it were up to me, she’d be shot down with them. But since Stefano wants her alive, we’ve made sure to get the best shooters in the business so she won’t be hit by accident. Her punishment is to watch up close as her beloved family is all shot down like the pathetic weaklings they are. Maybe next time she will think before she decides to cross me again.

I turn to Stefano, and he turns to me with a troubled look in his eyes. This is why the Gudierri are always working under someone. All they are good for is information. He is too soft. Too weak.

“I’ve changed my mind. Nicolai!” I shout. Nicolai comes to me immediately. “You are the new capo of the South. Stefano will be your second-in-command. He will be working under you.”

I see Stefano’s face and almost laugh.

“You don’t really think I’d leave you as capo, do you? You’re too soft. Any man that flinches at the sight of blood isn’t a man at all. And definitely isn’t fit to be capo. Be glad that I’m still sparing your life. Especially after what your wife did.” I look over the balcony and see Arianna with heavy tears streaming down her face. Some people’s blood is on her. I can’t help but smile. Maybe now she’ll know.

“You should be thanking me. Now your wife will be a little more obedient. And you won’t have to worry about her getting you into trouble anymore.” I smile at him.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and I pull it out to look at the screen. A message from Dr. Shotwell appears.

She’s awake.

I smile. Now it is time for me to go see my beautiful wife. Even though she is tainted with that filthy bloodline, she is still mine. And different from any of them. And now she is awake. I can’t wait to see her. I exit the building with the sounds of screams and gunshots echoing behind me and a huge smile on my face. Yes. Today is going to be a good day.