Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89772 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 449(@200wpm)___ 359(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
We didn’t know any of this…
Did my cousin Daisy know our father was behind the death of her parents?
Chapter 43
—Cruz—
“I see her, I feel her every goddamn second, judging me with so much disappointment in her eyes,” Papá continued on. “She was my light, exactly like my wife and kids are. I never had any intention of hurting her. If I could switch places, I wouldn’t think twice about it. Amari got caught in the crossfire, so did Daisy. I wanted you. Not them. Let me make that really fucking clear.”
“Lexi is my daughter too, and that’s the only reason she’s not here,” Michael clarified. “Another one of my kids won’t pay for your sins. Its why Daisy isn’t here either. They’re the only two things I have left in this world. I’ve watched them grow up beside you. I’ve watched them make families of their own. Raising my grandchildren, your children. Do you know what it is like watching from afar? Missing every birthday, anniversary, family gathering. Do you have any idea how many times I could have fucking killed you? Shot you dead. You’ve lived this second life, fleeing to Italy, acting like you deserve it!”
“I don’t. I know that. I’ve wanted to take my own life so many fucking times. I can’t sleep at night, it haunts me. The gun. It would be so easy to end it all. It’s what I deserve and don’t think for one second I don’t know it.”
I winced, hearing him admit what I always wondered. Why I’d find him alone in the middle of the night. He was thinking, contemplating…
His death.
“I fucking hate myself. Every. Single. Day. I look into my kid’s eyes and all I see is my demise. I love them. Please, Michael. I’m begging you. Take mercy on me.”
“Like you did with me?”
“Four years!” Papá repeated. “All you had to do was tell my sister the truth! What did you expect from me?”
“Mercy! I fucked up. I paid for that. You killed the love of my life!”
“How the fuck did you not die? Huh? How?”
“You never asked to see my body. Remember? You identified your sister at the morgue, but not me. It’s actually really easy to fake your death. You should know all about that,” Michael replied.
“Take this out on me! Not my kids! Not your grandkids! Let them leave! Now! For Lexi’s sake!”
“Fuck you!” Michael seethed, glaring right at me. “You’re up, Cruz! It’s time to choose!”
“I’ll kill you for this! I swear to God! I’ll fucking end you for this!” Papá started thrashing his body around, trying to get loose from the chair.
“Who’s it going to be, grandson? Your sister or your wife? You have to choose! Tell me! Who gets to live and who dies?”
I froze, not believing the scene unfolding in front of us. Ari and Sienna’s petrified expressions reflected back at me, franticly penetrating my gaze, looking for help. I’ll never forget the look in their eyes. It was this exact moment while we were all held captive by the lunatic with guns to their heads.
The next few seconds played out like a horror movie, becoming my new reality. Where none of us would ever be the same again.
“Do it! You need to choose! Tell me, motherfucker! Who is it? Tell me now!”
I shook my head, unable to control the emotions flowing through me. Everything was happening so damn fast, it was hard to keep up with what was actually occurring. Time once again stood still, or maybe it moved faster, I couldn’t tell anymore.
His words.
My feelings.
The girl’s pained, terrified stares all blended together. Nothing made sense. I was there, but I wasn’t. It all sounded the same—the panic, the voices, the life he wanted me to take.
“Kill me!” I shouted out in an ear-piercing scream that resonated from deep within my lungs. Echoing off the domed ceiling, vibrating inside my core. “Do you hear me? Take my life!”
“Please, Michael! Don’t do this!” Papá roared, mimicking my tone. “Don’t fucking do this! I’m begging you! Pleading with you! Don’t do this!”
“Choose!”
“Fuck you!” I stood, urgently patting my chest. “Kill me, motherfucker! Because if you don’t, I swear I’ll find you and kill you myself! This is your chance! I’ll bury you alive, you son of a bitch!”
“You think I care about any of that? I’ve been dead since your father killed my wife! I hope you find me and kill me! I want to die! But first, you need to choose! Adriana or Sienna? Who’s it going to be? Tell me! Now!”
“She’s your sister, Cruz,” Sienna stated with desperation in her voice. “Blood is thicker than anything. Do you understand me? I know this life. I’ve lived this life. I never thought I’d make it this far. Let me go be with my mother. Please, just set me free.”