She held it in her palm like a knife, and Liam adjusted her grip and then darted his glance over to Enzo. Silently they both walked over, and I went, standing on the side as I watched a dark and angry Elena stand with a menacing Liam behind her.
Remember, you are in control. There are no limits. He murmured, and she nodded. You are in control, deirfiur. This little bitch is at your mercy. I want you to think about all your anger, sadness, and disappointment and feel it. Fucking feel it. He swore, his voice rising.
He stepped back, and before Enzo could get a word in, she stabbed the screwdriver in his stomach. Enzo screamed before I gave a command to silence him. One of the men shoved something in his mouth.
Good. Liam encouraged. Let it out.
It was like I wasn’t even in the room as Elena stabbed him in the stomach, chest, side, arms, and legs. I watched her with awe as the tool became a blur. A bloody fucking blur. Crimson splattered on her face and clothes with every movement, but she wasn’t flinching or nauseous as she pushed the tool in and out of his flesh and bones.
For our baby. I finally spoke.
Her hand ghosted over her stomach, and she stopped, her eyes fleeting to mine. She closed her eyes, and I took a tentative step as if scared she’d crumble right now, but when they flashed open, all I saw was pure determination and strength.
She looked so beautiful with splatters of blood across her face and clothes, and how she gripped that tool in her hand could bring me down to my knees. I swear to fuck ; I was tempted.
Finish it, Elena, Liam exclaimed. Kill him.
Keeping her eyes on me, she gave Enzo one last strike before tilting her head to me. Liam grabbed the screwdriver from her hand and walked to the side, and I stood behind her. I pulled out my gun, and I didn’t have to wonder if Elena knew how to work a gun because she took off the safety and aimed it at him in seconds.
Do you think a bullet is enough for what he did to us, our baby, and the good men that died under his hand ? She asked her hand still over her stomach.
As heavy as her words were, Elena remained firm in her stance, her hand holding the gun firmly and confidently. I remained at her back but didn’t put my hand on the gun, instead placing my hand over hers that rested on her stomach.
For our child, I whispered in her ear, and the gunshot echoed through the empty room as it went straight through his heart. For you. A second gunshot. For us. A third gunshot. For the men that died protecting and fighting for you. A final gunshot.
His body went slack, blood oozed out of him, and it was so quiet, yet her strength was loud, blaring, and I couldn’t help but be so proud of her, of my wife. She relaxed as she put the gun down. I moved my arm around her waist, offering her courage and strength.
The men willing to stand by me, I want them brought to the front of the house. She suddenly commanded, and the men straightened their backs as they gave her a nod.
They didn’t even think to look at Liam or me for assurance or permission. They simply nodded and scrambled to obey her demands swiftly. We walked out together, hand in hand, and instead of heading outside, she guided me upstairs to her mother’s room. She didn’t knock. She walked in, and her mother’s eyes widened when she saw us.
Did you kill my son ? She asked.
I did. I killed him. Elena answered coolly. I’m going to give you a choice. Come live with me, my husband, and nonna safely and happily, or stay here in this house and accept the dire consequences.
Her mother started screaming and cursing in Italian. I didn’t know what the fuck she was saying, and Elena didn’t look mad or annoyed. If anything, she looked irritated as her mother’s tantrum exploded.
Choose wisely. I leave in five minutes. Once I leave, my offer expires, and then I can’t help you, mother.
With that, we headed out to the front of the house, where fifteen men stood proudly with their hands behind their backs. Elena cleared her throat, and their attention went to her.
I am Elena Morelli, daughter of Frediano Morelli and wife to Oisin Callahan. My grandfather and father built the Morelli legacy with blood, sweat, and courage. He was a great man. A man we all looked up to, even to this day-a man we all miss and think of on our darkest nights.
My father would have never wanted any of this to happen. He would have hated that so much blood had been shed in his house, on his lands, and especially between family. Enzo has dragged the family name in the mud and has disgraced and dishonored my father and us.
I will take over the Morelli family as your Donna and try my hardest to bring back honor to our family name. My wife gave her speech proudly.
Donna Morelli, we pledge our loyalty, trust, and respect to you. Finally, one spoke, and everyone bowed their heads in sync.
The first task I have for you is to burn the house behind you to the ground. I want it and all the memories it carries scorched. No survivors. She demanded. If my mother doesn’t come out in four minutes, I don’t want anyone trying to rescue her. She chose her fate, like Enzo.
Of course, Donna, One of her men said.
She turned her head to me and held my hand as we returned to our car. She leaned against the car door, and Liam and I smoked as we watched the men take care of their first task from my wife.
I don’t want to ever think about this place ever again, Elena said suddenly. Whatever is left of the Morelli legacy, I’ll take care of it and manage it from the safety and comfort of our home. I don’t know if it’ll be the permanent base where I’ll take care of everything.
But it’ll have to do for now. I’ll have some men call up all the families my father and brother worked with and see what damage is done. I might have to rebuild trust and morale, but I think I can do it.
I know you can do it. Liam encouraged. You have our full support. You’re a smart woman, and you have the Bratva, Cartel, and the fuckin’ Irish mob behind you. So everyone will think twice before fuckin’ with you. He spoke with an exhale, and she nodded her head in agreement.
I’m not a greedy person for power, and as powerful as I felt for taking over and commanding those men, I’m only taking over for the sake of my father and my nonna. She clarified.
Your father would be so proud of you, mo ghra amhain.
Her eyes welled with happy tears, and she leaned closer to my side. Thank you for saying that. She whispered. It means a lot to me.
Donna. One of her men came up to us. The four minutes is up, and your mother is still inside.
Brucialo al fottuto suolo.
(Translation : Burn it to the fucking ground.)
Si, Donna.
The house went up into flames a few seconds later, and Elena stood beside me strongly, confidently, and bravely as she watched the house she used to live in burn to the ground.
Elena
I knocked on the door to his study and waited patiently.
Come in.
I opened his study and walked in shyly with my hands behind my back. He looked up from the papers before him, set his cigar down on the ashtray, and then ushered me over. Exhaling the smoke, he opened his arms to the side, and I smiled as I almost ran to him. I sat on his lap and kept my arms around his neck, and snuggled closer to him.
You okay, baby ?
I’m okay. I just wanted to talk to you about something, that is, if you’re not too busy. I pulled away, but my arms were on his neck as I played with his hair.
I’m never too busy for you. What is it, Elena ?
I’m supposed to get my period in a few days. I started slowly. If I’m not pregnant, I want to check one thing off my list of stuff I won’t be able to do when I’m pregnant. You told me I could go drinking and dancing if you were with me, and after everything that’s happened, I really want that. To let loose, get drunk, and dance with you.
And if you are…pregnant ? He asked, taking a weighty pause between the words.
Then we’re pregnant again. I moved my hands toward his face and leaned down to press my forehead against his. And I want to experience it all with you. I want you by my side. I want us to be together. I want to savor every day of my pregnancy with my husband. I whispered. It’s scary, and I won’t lie to you. I’m fucking terrified, but it seems less scary when you’re by my side.
He let out a shaky breath, and I felt his hands go over mine, his fingers lazily interlacing with mine. His eyes stayed on mine the entire time, and they were serious, beautiful, and obnoxiously enthralling.
You have me. You will always have me. I’ll be by your side through it all, mo ghra amhain. The good, bad, ugly, the tears and pain, all of it. Baby, not even God can take me away from you. Do you hear me ?
Yes. I breathed out. I love you so much. I never in my life thought I could love someone like this.
Fuck. He swore. I love hearing you tell me you love me.