LUCIANO
The car tires rolled against the asphalt as I drove towards the abandoned factory, a scowl etched into my features. I was going to save Jade, no matter the cost. Petro and my uncle had managed to convince me to take a few amen along with me.
After all, what good would it be if I went alone and got killed by Raffaele, what would happen to Jade and our baby? Who would protect them?
The mission was impromptu, so most of my best men were not available, most where offshore handling other issues. So the available ones would do. Petro would arrive at the location later with some back up, it was now or never.
I was going to make Raffaele regret ever crossing me, he would regret putting Jade in harms way.
The gravel crunched under my boots as I stepped out of the car, the deserted factory looming ahead.
Luca’s gaze met mine for a fleeting moment, a silent understanding passing between us before he and the others melted into the shadows.
Raffaele wanted this solo – a dance of blood and betrayal, and I was the reluctant lead.
With a hand that itched to find the comfort of my holster, I pushed open the rusted gate, its hinges groaning a rusty protest.
The air inside was thick with the cloying scent of damp earth and decay, sunlight filtering through shattered windows like jagged teeth.
I walked in, swivelling my head around, it was quiet. Too quiet.
“Well well well,” a voice echoed, bouncing off the corrugated walls. “If it isn’t my step brother.”
I shot my head up.
Raffaele emerged from the shadows, his face a mask of cruel amusement.
I ignored his theatrics, my voice a low growl. “Where is she?”
Raffaele threw his head back and laughed, a cold, metallic sound that grated on my nerves. “She’s right here in this building, Luciano. Just behind that door.” He gestured with a finger towards a rusty door at the far end of the hall, its paint peeling like scabs.
My muscles tensed, a primal urge to charge forward and rip through the flimsy barrier. But Raffaele stepped into my path, his smile widening.
“Ah, not so fast,” he warned, his voice dripping with mock concern. “Did you come here alone?”
I clenched my jaw, the words grating between my teeth. “I came here, alone, as you can see.”
He circled me like a shark, his eyes glinting with predatory curiosity. “Who’s to say that you don’t have men outside, waiting to storm in and rescue your precious little princess?”
I held his gaze, my own steely and unwavering. “There are no men outside, Raffaele. You have my word.”
He paused, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. Then, with a smirk that sent shivers down my spine, he said, “Fine. But if you so much as twitch a muscle towards that door, I swear I’ll paint this floor with her blood.”
A wave of nausea washed over me. My wife, Jade, trapped in this rancid den, her fate hanging by a thread. I’d rather face a hundred armed men than this twisted game of cat and mouse.
“Lead the way,” I growled, my voice tight with barely contained fury.
Raffaele led me through the corridors, the silence broken only by the crunch of our boots on the cracked concrete.
Finally, we reached the rusty door. It stood alone. Raffaele stopped, his smile gone, replaced by a mask of cold calculation.
“Open it,” he commanded, his voice devoid of emotion.
I took a deep breath, the air thick with the scent of steel and fear. My hand hovered over the rusted handle, every fiber of my being screaming at me to attack.
But Jade’s face swam before my eyes, her eyes wide with terror, her voice a desperate whisper in my head. I had to do this, for her, even if it meant sacrificing myself.
With a groan of protest, the door yielded, revealing a dimly lit room beyond. The smell of blood hit me like a physical blow, my stomach churning in revolt. Inside, slumped against a wall, was Jade, her face pale and drawn, a bloody gash marring her forehead.
My heart hammered against my ribs, the world shrinking to her, to her ragged breaths, to the crimson stain blooming on her dress. I lunged forward, a primal roar tearing from my throat.
But Raffaele was faster. He grabbed my arm, his grip like a steel vice. “Not so fast, brother,” he hissed, his eyes glinting with manic glee. “The game isn’t over yet.”
I struggled, adrenaline coursing through my veins, but he was immovable. My gaze darted to Raffaele, the weight of her life hanging in the balance.
“What do you want?” I snarled, my voice raw with desperation.
Raffaele’s smile widened, revealing a glint of madness. “Oh, the game is simple, Luciano. You choose. Her life our yours?”
My eyes narrowed, my gaze boring into his. “You want a game, Raffaele? Let’s play.”
With a swiftness that belied the adrenaline coursing through my veins, I slammed my knee into his crotch. He howled in pain, his grip releasing from my arm. I spun away, throwing myself towards Jade, shielding her with my body.
I grabbed my pocket knife, slicing the ropes that bounded her. “Luciano,” she muttered as I picked her up.
I stepped out of the room, and looked back at Raffaele, I pointed a gun at him, ready to end him, but a bullet whisked past me, distracting me as Raffaele began calling out for his men.
I fired at the man, making him retreat and hide behind a pillar. I grabbed Jade and ran with her. She seemed like she was on the verge of passing out.
The sound of multiple gunshots filled the air, I could tell my men where closing in. I rested Jade against a dusty coveryor belt.
Then jumped out, shooting at the incoming men, my bullet found it’s mark on them, one by one as they slumped.
I turned to Jade and carried her, leading her into the corridors, I had no idea where I was going, but I was kept moving.
I caught a glimpse of a figure from the corner of my eyes and fired. The bullet drove into his head and he fell from a height, plopping down before me lifelessly.
“Just hang in there Jade,” I whispered against her ear.
“Don’t… fight…. please…” she whispered, her voice a dull echo in my ears right now.
I just have to finish this off now and today.
I raced for a door at the far end and finally reached it. I drove my foot into it and it yeilded, springing open. I saw some of my men engaged in gun battle against Raffaele’s men.
I was running towards the gates, Jade secured in my arm when a bullet grazed the ground before me, causing me to halt and drop Jade. I turned back to see Raffaele holding a gun.
I aimed and fired but my gun clicked, empty. I dropped the gun and tired to reached for my spare but he aimed at Jade. “Don’t even think about it Luciano. Hands on the air where I can see them.”
I raised my hand.
“I’m terribly sorry it had to come to this.” Raffaele gritted.
“Raffaele don’t do-‘”
Before I could complete my sentence, a gunshot rang, making me to widen my eyes. I turned to Jade, only to see her falling to the ground. I rushed to catch her before her head hit the ground.
“Jade!” I cried, holding her tightly. I looked up at Raffaele, eyes burning with rage.
But then, I saw something else. Blood.
He coughed up more blood as he dropped to his knees, revealing Aurora who was standing behind him, her gun smoking.
Raffaele slumped on the ground, his gun clattering. Aurora flung her gun away, her eyes widening. “W- what have I done?” She muttered, crouching beside Raffaele.
I looked at Jade again, she was blinking. I looked at her body, there was no gunshot, it was just fatigue and shock. I held her cheeks, “you’ll be alright, I promise you.”
I picked her up and made my way to the car as Aurora’s scream filled the background. “Somebody help! Please I didn’t mean to shoot, somebody help my husband! Luciano!” She croaked.
I stopped looking back at her. Just then, Petro ran up to me, “Luciano, what happened, did Jade get shot?” he asked panting.
“No, but I’m taking her to a hospital, take Raffaele to the hospital too.”
Petro looked at me, skeptically. “But he tried to kill you”
“Just do it.” I urged him.
He nodded and walked towards Aurora. I laid Jade down in the backseat, my engine roaring to life as I drove to the hospital leaving behind the gruesome scene as my men gathered the bodies.