“Yeah, that’s going to be a problem for me, because I promised her I’d kill anyone that hurt her, and you buying her makes you a part of that equation,” I say with a wild tone.
Dad holds his hand out, catching on to what’s happening.
“Romeo, don’t. You can have her, and just be on your way,” he says timidly.
Holding both my hands out, I shrug.
“I wish it were that easy, but it’s not.”
“Have you taken your meds?” he criticizes, that fucking voice and question fueling my fury.
“Poppy?” Luna’s questionable voice has me look back at her, she’s staring at Gio with wide tear-filled eyes.
“Who?” I ask confused, that’s Gio, not Poppy.
She grits her teeth, her body shaking she’s so angry and upset. It makes me frown, I don’t like seeing my Flower like that.
“It’s you. You were like a father to me, and you left me to rot in that hospital. Because of you, I was sold into trafficking!” she spits through clenched teeth.
“Oooh.” I step out of the way, this is the man that left her in the hospital. Crazy, I guess it is a small world.
“Luna, I—” He stands, shaking his head, his suit wrinkled just like the worry on his face. “You were my girlfriend’s daughter, I couldn’t raise a kid,” he tries to reason with her, but she closes her eyes and lowers her head.
“No, you could have tried. You could have made sure I was in good hands. You could have done something!” She’s screaming now, her face red.
I slide up behind him and grab him by the chubby cheeks.
“Want me to cut him for you, Flower?” I offer, flicking open one of the knives I took from the men at the ring.
She pulls up her gun and I step out of the way. I’ve taught her well and she has this one under control.
“No, this one’s mine,” she sneers, and I grin. Watching her closely.
“Your mother was flashing her shit all over town like she was fucking Paris Hilton. I thought someone else would take care of you!” he tries to defend and plead for his life. Talking shit about her mother is not going to save his life. One thing I’ve learned from Flower is she loved her mom.
Sliding away from him and leaving him in the open, I say, “X marks the spot.” Referring X target on the pig at the butcher shop. She shoots him in the chest three times, the loud bang making my ears ring. She nails him in the same spot with all three bullets.
Fuck, she’s a good shot!
“Romeo, stop this!” Dad orders, looking at me with wide nervous eyes, as if he doesn’t recognize me.
Taking my attention away from Luna, I step over my uncle’s dead body and come around my dad’s great big desk. He grasps his chair, taking a step back as if he’s scared of me. He should be. If I kill him, not only will I take the crown of the DeAngelo family, I can make sure there’s not another trafficking ring in New York City. My family can come back together again.
“Do it,” Luna whispers from behind me, I didn’t even notice she walked up behind me. I raise my gun.
“Good night, Dad.” And fire one bullet right into his head.
Leo wails, falling into his chair with alarm. Dad’s limp body falls into his high back leather chair, in my spot. Grabbing him by the shirt, I pull him up, his dead weight heavier than I expected, and shove him onto the floor. Placing my gun in its holster, I sit in the chair that used to be his, and look out over the city. An imaginary crown atop my head.
Luna stands behind me, her hand on my shoulder.
“We did it,” she says lightly.
“We did. I’m the fucking Don, the goddamn king. I can run this crew however I want. For evil, good. Both.”
I mull over what I want to do first, but I can’t place just one thing. I know organized crime will come with its violent delights, but I would like to do some good with this position. I want to make sure there is never another trafficking ring in my city. Ever. I think it will bring more respect than any man that sat before me.
“Well if you’re a don, and your brother is a don with his girl… won’t that mean you’re enemies?”
I turn in the chair and look up to her. She’s right, technically we are up against each other, we should be fighting over clients and territory. Hate will breed, and our children will grow up like the Hatfield and McCoys, their only mission in life will be to hate and kill one another. I never thought about it that way.
“Do you think that’s why he didn’t bring his men?” Keeping the lines divided makes a strong statement.
“Possibly…” she whispers.
“You stole your father’s spot, kid. What are you thinking?” Leo asks from the other side of the desk.
I scowl, his comment annoying me. Maybe I should just kill him too.
“Yeah, well, he’s a beautiful thief,” Luna rebuttals.
Licking my lips, I stare Leo down. “You’re either in or you’re out. Which is it?” I give him an ultimatum. Take me as the new king, or get out.
He shakes his head and stands. “No, I’m loyal to the DeAngelos. Always have, always will.” Respect in his tone has me tilt my head to the side.
“Good,” I clip. Welcome to the shit show, Uncle.
18
Luna
Riding back to the apartment, I feel different, I feel… relaxed. Maybe because I’m safe. There’s nobody out here that wants to take me in, or try to sell me for money. I’m no longer an object, but a human being. With every last breath of the people we killed tonight, it pumped my lungs with life. I’m so grateful that I met Romeo, he brought
