Giulio shakes his head. “You made him into the monster. You bribed him.”
“I did. Jealousy does a lot of things to a person, but envy is a whole other level. Giulio, you destroyed our father and then went on to have the perfect family. I wanted that.” His face twitches in disgust. “I wanted the successful career, the intelligent wife, the children. I wanted it all. I needed to ruin you, and ruin you I did. I began with the weakest link, Addilyn. It’s a good thing my mother and our father deceived you. Nobody loves you, Giulio. Nobody.”
“I love him,” I grit. “Our children love him. My family and our friends love him. I would die for this man. I would have died for him. You are undeserving of every single thing Giulio has done for you. He believed in you when nobody else did, even when you didn’t even believe in yourself, he did. And I was there right alongside him, Marcus. We. Were. Always. There. For. You. We’ve always been on your side, right until this moment.”
“Whatever.” Marcus chuckles coldly. “I’m smarter than you think. Come on. I was over for dinner with you, Helena, and your parents the night Addilyn was abducted to even make it look like I wasn’t involved. SPD never suspected me because CCTV proved I was with Valencia, yet I hired the abductors. My men did everything to make your life hell and it worked. The pressure made you separate. It made your kids fall asleep crying. It drove you both to insanity.”
“Your plan failed. You want to know why? Because now Valencia and I are unbreakable. Unstoppable. We are stronger than ever, all courtesy of your corrupt plan.”
“My corrupt plan? How about Bryce’s plan…or should I say our half-brother’s plan? Oh yes, that’s right. Our half-brother on our father’s side is Bryce. Go figure, hmm?”
My eyes widen.
WAIT.
WHAT?
Giulio takes a step forward until they are inches apart. His rapid breathing matches mine. I cannot see his face but already know that this is the final showdown.
Game over for Marcus.
“What on earth are you on about?” Giulio asks calmly, too calmly.
“That’s right. Remember that fateful Thanksgiving when our father said we had another brother? It’s Bryce. He’s two years younger than you. That’s why the plan was perfect. Bryce always hated the idea of his father because not once did he visit or contribute. You didn’t give Bryce a chance to give Father a piece of his mind, did you? You just had to cut it short. Well, how’s this for short? Our deal is over. Soon enough I’ll make everybody know you kil—”
“YOU RUINED MY FAMILY!”
“AND YOU RUINED MY LIFE!”
“NO, YOU RUINED IT FOR YOURSELF!”
The brothers remain staring at each other, rage filled breaths hang heavy in the air.
“Our father ruined it and then you did!” Giulio sneers. “You’re never going to change because whilst you’re our father’s son, I am my mother’s son. And I’m so fucking proud that the only thing I claim from the devil you call Dad is his fucking last name. Our father deserved everything that happened to him. He deserved it all and you deserve every single thing coming your way too, brother.”
The last word is enunciated so violently slow that Sergeant Flynn attempts to pull Marcus away but he stops. “Before I go, let me hug my sister-in-law.”
“No, Marcus. We need to get you to the downtown.”
“One. Hug.”
My brows furrow and Sergeant Flynn sighs. I remain staring at the man I once called my brother-in-law. So much pride came from the name but none he’s earned now.
He did this.
He abducted Addilyn.
He ruined it all for me.
“I can’t allow that to happen, Marcus.”
But I can just imagine how it would have gone. Marcus Giannotti would have crushed me in the tightest embrace I’ve ever received from him. My hands would have remained by my sides. I wouldn’t have hugged him back. I wouldn’t do it. I wouldn’t surrender. Not again.
He drove Giulio and me into a living hell.
He hurt us almost beyond repair.
He had Addilyn…his own niece and Goddaughter.
‘Get off me’ is what I would have said.
My mouth is dry when Marcus continues studying me, forcing me to stare into those dark orbs. I see a helpless empty soul. “I’m guilty. I’m guilty of everything you believe I’ve done.”
“I will never ever forgive you for the pain you’ve inflicted upon this family.”
“I don’t expect you to.”
“Goodbye, Marcus.”
Marcus takes one good look at Giulio, then back at me with the most placid smile.
“Bye, Val…” he whispers.
The weight pulling my chest doesn’t leave me because of what happens next.
Maybe it’s because of the large police presence that I don’t expect Marcus to risk it all. One second his coldness zones into me, the next he makes a run for it in the opposite direction.
There is a scuffle and loud shouts between him and Sergeant Flynn who catches up and drags him to the ground. Other officers rush towards the scene to assist when Marcus breaks loose again and sprints away. It’s as if Giulio already foresees what’s going to happen as he pulls us back, presses my face to his chest, and holds me there seconds before a loud bang.
He doesn’t let me see it.
I press my forehead deeper into Giulio’s soft sweater with my eyes shut and concentrate on my breaths. In. Out. In. Out. Giulio holds me tighter, his fingers threading through my hair and across my back. His rich cologne calms me. Giulio kisses the side of my head and we squeeze each other tightly as shouts ring louder in front
