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Him

I squeezed the trigger, the gunshot echoing through the room as the bullet fired into the ceiling, halting everyone in their tracks. The sharp, metallic crack left a ringing in my ears, and in that split-second silence, the door burst open, and officers flooded in, their guns drawn and voices commanding. The sight of them stunned our step-parents, wiping the smug expressions off their faces. As cuffs snapped around their wrists, I let out a long breath. This was over. Almost.

Flashback

It had been a week since I'd met with Officer Hart, our conversations careful, our plans meticulously laid out.

"Why go in first?" Hart had asked me, skepticism threading through his voice. "You have the police behind you, and you're taking a risk if something goes sideways."

I'd leaned back, folding my arms, trying to find the right words. "You know as well as I do that they'd sense the cops a mile off. You storm in, they disappear. Let me go first, take down the guards-I know the layout, I know their habits. The minute I secure a safe opening, you come in. And if anything happens... we'll see what we can do then."

Hart nodded, watching me closely, like he was weighing the options in his head. "If you've got that under control... Fine. But I'm sending a full team in right after you give the signal. These two have been on our radar since that heroin bust in Harrow. Don't think this is the time for heroics, Dante."

"Not heroics. Just ending this on my terms." I'd felt the weight of my words even as I said them, remembering Tara's expression-hurt and a flicker of something like fear-when I'd told her I wanted to kill them. I'd felt my resolve shift then. If I wanted to be free, really free, this had to be different.

"Fine," Hart finally agreed, his gaze steady. "But you give me that signal, we come in fast and hard."

I'd nodded, and we shook on it.

Present

As the police pulled my step-parents up, cuffed and furious, I felt something settle within me. Natty turned to me, her voice low. "Why didn't you kill them when you had the chance?"

I shrugged, trying to keep my expression neutral. "I didn't want to act like the ruthless man they trained me to be. Killing them... it would've haunted us. This way, we're free. And they have to live with their own mess."

Brian stepped forward then, eyes blazing. His anger that he'd kept so tightly wound over the years was finally breaking free. He walked up to our step-parents and slapped each of them across the face, a forceful blow of pure, pent-up rage. "For every damn moment you made our lives hell. May you rot in the darkest corner of it."

As the officers began escorting them out, I stepped up to my stepmother, feeling a steely resolve take over. "Where are the children?" I asked, my voice quiet but deadly serious.

She gave me a cold, mocking smile. "What children, Enzo?"

My jaw tightened, and I could feel my fists clench, but before I could react, Hart's voice cut through, calling us over. "Dante, Natty, Brian-I think I found something you need to see."

He led us down a dim corridor, through a passageway so hidden I'd almost missed it. He stopped in front of a heavy door, marked only by a faded, rusty lock. Hart's expression was grim as he turned to us. "I heard some movement back here. Figured it might be what you're looking for."

I took a deep breath, unlocked the door, and pushed it open, revealing a long, narrow hallway lined with doors on each side. Twenty rooms, maybe more, lined the corridor, each closed off from the world. With Brian and Natty close behind, I opened one of the doors and stepped inside.

The small room held little more than two bunk beds and a table, the walls stripped bare. My eyes roamed the space, and I noticed the closet door slightly ajar. Opening it, I found four children huddled together, their faces pale and frightened, clutching each other as though they could make themselves disappear.

"Hey..." I said softly, crouching down to their level.

One of the little girls turned around, stepping protectively in front of the others. She looked up at me, her body trembling but her gaze unyielding, her eyes flaring with defiance. It was a look I knew too well-one I'd worn myself, standing in front of Natty and Brian when we were kids.

"Don't hurt them," she whispered, her voice a mix of fear and bravery. "I know Matthew didn't do well with the knife skills today, but... please, it's my fault. Leave them alone."

I knelt down, keeping my voice gentle. "What's your name?"

She stared at me for a moment before answering. "Mia."

I glanced at Natty and Brian, gesturing for them to check the other rooms. Then I looked back at Mia. "Well, Mia," I said softly, "what if I told you that you don't have to worry anymore? No more punishment."

Her eyes widened, hope breaking through the fear. "Really?"

"Yes," I said, nodding. "You're safe now. You and your friends... you'll be in a much better place soon."

"Are you going to kill us?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

"No, sweetheart." I reached out, gently stroking her hair. "I promise no one will hurt you anymore."

She looked at me, and for the first time, a small smile crossed her face, fragile but full of a hope that cut deep into my heart.

I turned to Hart, my voice rough. "They'll be taken to orphanages, right?"

Hart nodded. "Yes."

I hesitated, looking back at Mia. "Can you do me a favor?" I asked him. "Let me know which orphanage she goes to, if she's adopted by someone... just keep me updated. I can't adopt her, but... I need to know she'll have a good life."

Hart gave a small nod. "I'll see what I can do, Mr. Marchetti. But right now, there's something else you need to know."

"What is it?"

"Miss Basu was taken to Hawthorne General Hospital. She fainted, and they admitted her 30 minutes ago."

Panic shot through me. "Inform Brian and Natty-I'm leaving for the hospital."

I turned and bolted down the corridor, pulling out my phone, dialing Arjun as fast as my fingers would allow.

***********