It's an all-out bloodbath in the hallway by the time my men and I are through. I look at Vinny to my right. He gives me a nod, telling me he's just as ready as I am. We don't know what will be behind those doors. I'm praying it'll just be De Luca, that Aria is somewhere else, safe and sound waiting for me to come and get her. But I know it's not a possibility because unlike me, he has no morals.

De Luca is a monster.

Vinny barrels down the door and I step inside, gun clutched in hand. My eyes focus on De Luca and Aria. He holds her against his body and the barrel of his gun presses to her temple. A dirty grin is plastered on his face.

I'll kill him in the cruelest way possible.

My heart speeds up, fear spiking hard and fast. One move from his finger can kill her.

"Let her go, De Luca," I growl, furious and beyond terrified. It's been a long time since I'd been scared during a confrontation. I don't fear death, but losing Aria? That thought tears a hole into my chest.

"I don't think so," he said, "You wanted a shot at me and here it is."

If he wasn't hiding behind Aria and had his head so close to her, I'd put a bullet right through his forehead.

"You know," De Luca starts again, "I made a mistake a year ago. Carmeline should have been the last. It would have saved me all this trouble."

"So why didn't you?" I ask, gritting the words out.

"Actually, I wasn't planning to kill Mellie." He shrugs, leaning his head against Aria's. "But I couldn't let my sweet Mellie watch her favorite person in the world die in front of her. She'd have never forgiven me."

"So you killed her so you wouldn't live with her hatred?"

"And now I have little miss Aria." He wraps his arm around her neck. She reaches up, trying to break his hold. "My soon-to-be wife." De Luca smirks and lowers his face into her hair. He closes his eyes, taking in her scent. "Another thing I took from you and quite easily I might add."

A scoff leaves my lips. "Thought that was the other way around."

"Pretty little Aria, did you know you were engaged long before your brother took over?" This stops her attempt at breaking from his hold. "Your father had a deal. An interesting one I might add. It was too easy swapping out the name of your betrothed once he was out of the way."

De Luca tightened his hold, forcing her chin up. He nods as if their having some secret little conversation and then looks back at me. "But no matter. I'll give you what you want, Aria."

What she wants?

"If they put their guns down."

I curse under my breath. "I'm not putting shit down."

De Luca cocks his gun. Aria flitches and I meet her terrified gaze. "Put it down. Or I can kill her. She means nothing to you right?"

Fuck.

Aria closed her eyes, resigning herself to her fate. Does she think I'll refuse De Luca's order because I don't want to lose? That I'll give her up to appear strong in front of this asshole? Or was it that she truly believed the shitty lies I muttered through that phone call?

It doesn't matter.

I'll put my life down for Aria. I'll do anything for her. I release my gun. Vinny looks at me as if I lost my mind, but I narrow my eyes until he, too, drops his weapon.

De Luca smiles and lowers the barrel from her temple, handing her the gun.

Her hands shake around it, eyes focused on me. And then she does as I taught her. She aims the gun at me, breathes in, and holds...

Aria turns last minute and shoots. I run to her, grabbing her waist and pulling her behind me. I take several steps back inching her away from De Luca.

His rests at his side. His face contorted in anger and pain. "You fucking bitch, I'll kill you."

I reach behind me, grab the gun from Aria's hand, and put a bullet through his shoulder.

"I'll kill you both." He grunts moving his uninjured arm. He tries to reach behind and grab another gun, I assume, but Vinny gets behind him and forces him down to the floor.

It's only then that I glance over my shoulder. Aria's hands clutch my shirt as her face hides in it.

"Did he hurt you?" I ask, the anger and fear finally washed away now that she's safe.

She shakes her head instantly and peeks up. "I thought I killed him."

I smile, turning my body. My arm wraps around her and I pull her to my side. "No, principessa, but he wasn't smart."

"Huh?"

"He kept his eyes on me and didn't notice he gave you, my queen, the upper hand."

She blinks twice, and a shade of pink rises up her cheeks. I embrace her, pressing a kiss on her head.

"Now I have one question, what should we do with him?" I slide behind her, placing the gun in her hands and holding mine over hers, aiming it right at De Luca's head. "Shoot him or let a coin decide?"

Aria takes a deep breath and places her finger, leading mine, over the trigger. Her hands shake. I lower my face resting my chin on her shoulder. "What will it be, my future queen?"

"A-a coin."

My free hand dips into my pocket and I pull out a coin. The same one that brought her to me... that led me right to this moment.

Death or torture. It's his only two options. The only difference is with torture, he has a chance of survival.

Do I trust De Luca? No.

Does he deserve to die? Yes.

But Aria chose the coin and I'll abide by her wishes. I'll do anything she asks... so long as she stays by me. Fuck she almost killed someone for me and if that doesn't mean anything I don't know what does.

She lowers the gun and I flip the coin, catching it in my hand.

"Heads he dies a quick and easy death. Tails, he's tortured, slowly and painfully," I everyone in the room know.

Without another moment to spare, I open up my hand. A devilish smirk comes to my lips. My gaze drifts to Aria as she stares at the coin. She looks up at me and nods.

Lifting the coin, I show what fate has in store, just for him.

And I can't wait to play it out.

❤︎❤︎❤︎

total ONC word count: 30,004

And that's it. That's the end.

thank you so much for reading along! ❤︎

JUST KIDDING. There's an epilogue. ❤︎