[RAFFAELE]
I descended into the cold basement, feeling a sense of familiarity wash over me as I breathed in the musty scent. Upon reaching the bottom of the stairs, I paused, a wicked smile forming on my lips.
“Hello, Herman,” I greeted calmly, my voice echoing through the silence of the room.
Herman’s head snapped up, his eyes shooting daggers at me with an intense glare.
“You despicable bastard! What is the meaning of this? Release me!” he bellowed in fury, straining against the chains that bound his wrists and ankles.
I couldn’t help but chuckle at his futile struggles as I casually leaned against the wall. He was securely chained, blood staining his wrists and ankles from his desperate attempts to break free. The back of my gun had left a gash on his head, causing blood to trickle down his face.
Sweat and grime covered his visage, and a few strands of hair clung to his forehead as he breathed heavily, clearly exhausted from hours of fighting against his restraints. He appeared like a pitiful creature, utterly helpless. The thought entertained me, and laughter escaped my lips. He was never worthy of being the king, too feeble to handle such power. It was time for his demise and the beginning of my reign.
I had to eliminate him, permanently. And perhaps, I would derive some pleasure from it.
“Now, now, calm down,” I spoke, tauntingly.
His face turned crimson, and he spat at my feet. “Raffaele, I’m warning you…” he started, his voice seething with anger. But before he could finish his sentence, I swiftly knelt before him, gripping his face tightly, my fingers digging into his flesh. Leaning in close, I hissed through clenched teeth, “Or what? What can you do? Shoot me? Remember, Herman, you’re the one chained to the wall.”
He winced from the pressure on his cheek, but I only tightened my grip, moving my hands downward to encircle his neck. His eyes widened in terror as I applied more pressure, cutting off his air supply.
Struggling desperately, his face turning a deep shade of purple, he gasped for precious breath. When I saw him on the verge of losing consciousness, I released my grip.
“Now, where were we?” I asked, strolling over to the chair in the corner. Taking a seat, I reclined, crossing my left ankle over my right knee, waiting for him to regain his composure.
“W-Why?” he managed to choke out amidst coughing fits. Despite his weakened state, he locked eyes with me, emanating a hatred that was impossible to ignore.
Shaking my head at his defiance, I shrugged nonchalantly. “It’s simple. I want to be the one in charge.”
“You vile piece of shit,” Herman roared, attempting to rise but stumbling to his knees instead. “After everything I’ve done for you, this is how you repay me?”
“Didn’t you teach me that gratitude is for the weak? We do what benefits us the most, isn’t that right?”
“I gave you everything, Raffaele. I made you my right-hand man. I bestowed power upon you. I even gave you my daughter!”
His pleading fell on deaf ears, only serving to fuel my sense of dominance.
I held his life in the palm of my hand, an intoxicating rush of power surging through me. From my vantage point, I observed him desperately struggling against the unforgiving chains that held him captive. A chilling laugh escaped my lips, reverberating through the cold, dimly lit cellar.
“Herman, I wanted more,” I remarked, relishing the simplicity of my plan. Rising to my feet, I slowly approached him, and to my surprise, he ceased his futile resistance, meeting my gaze head-on. Disgust and hatred radiated from his eyes, but it mattered little. He was utterly powerless, and he knew it. I could see resignation and fear lurking in the depths of his eyes.
Reaching behind me, I retrieved my gun, brandishing it with deliberate intent. With the barrel resting against his forehead, positioned precisely between his eyes, I witnessed his adam’s apple bobbing with a strained swallow. The pressure against his temple caused him to bristle, and the mention of her daughter, Rebecca, triggered an intense fury that surged through my veins.
Momentarily retracting the gun, I swung it forcefully, connecting with the side of Herman’s face. His head snapped to the side, his eyes clenching shut in agony, yet not a sound escaped his lips. “You are no better,” I hissed, kneeling before him. Gripping his chin, I forced him to meet my gaze. “Have you forgotten about Olivia, your wife? The very same wife you callously murdered because she was involved with a Russian?”
Shock registered in Herman’s widened eyes, eliciting a cruel chuckle from me. “And what about Damian’s wife? Ah, that was a masterpiece. We stormed their mansion, exterminated half of his men, and took the life of the defenseless Celia. She was carrying his child, wasn’t she?” Shaking my head in disdain, I released his chin, shoving his head back against the unyielding wall, causing him to wince in pain.
“You see, you are no better than me. I learned from the best,” I paused, offering a sly wink. “But I surpassed the master. You should be honored.” His fingers clenched into fists, accompanied by a feral growl.
“You despicable bastard,” he bellowed. My patience waning, I aimed the gun once more at his forehead.
It was time for him to meet his maker. I inquired with a hint of sadistic amusement, “Any final wishes?” Herman strained against his restraints, attempting to lunge forward, only to be thwarted by the unyielding chains.
“Fuck y-”
Without hesitation, I pulled the trigger, the deafening sound of the gunshot reverberating through the air. A momentary gasp of breath, followed by an eerie silence, enveloped the space.
I fixated my gaze on Herman, his once-piercing black eyes now vacant, glazed over, and devoid of life. They remained wide open, a testament to his final moments. His limp form slumped against the wall, a small bullet hole marking the center of his forehead. Thick rivulets of blood trailed down his face, evoking a widening smile on my lips.
At long last.
The Italian empire was mine, and soon enough, the Russians would fall under my dominion as well.
I would become the reigning king, unchallenged and unstoppable.