Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 77233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 386(@200wpm)___ 309(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
“I’m surprised that you are asking.”
“I fear I already know the answer.”
“She took my life away.”
Yū’s expression turned somber. “So, you must seek revenge?”
“It’s only fair.”
“Is it?” Yū questioned gently. “Is revenge truly a path to fairness, or is it a never-ending cycle that consumes the soul?”
I clenched my fist. “It’s justice.”
“Is it?” Yū persisted. “Or is it a poison that we willingly drink, thinking it will harm others more than ourselves?”
I handed him the glasses. “You’ve always been the philosophical type, Yū. Yet those men behind that wall are a clear example of your revenge. Your justice.”
“Yes. They are.” He nodded. “And it has been a poison in my lungs, in my heart, each day I torture them.”
“Why?”
“Because no longer do I feel sad when I hurt them. I only find pleasure. Keeping them has made me a willing monster.”
“Yet, women are safe from them now.”
He shrugged.
“My revenge against Francesca must happen. Some wounds run too deep for time or wisdom to heal.”
He took the glasses, and placed them back on the table. “I understand pain, Dante. But I also understand the beauty of life. The joy it can bring. The love that’s possible.”
I shook my head. “That’s not my world.”
“It could be,” Yū said, his voice soft yet firm. “Revenge is a consuming fire. It may burn your enemies, but it also scorches your soul.”
I looked away, the memories of betrayal and loss burned into my soul. Then, that picture of Zuri and Carmen flashed in my mind.
Pain seared my heart.
I almost grabbed my chest to shove it away, but I knew it would remain. “I can’t let it go.”
Sighing, Yū reached for something beneath the table, and then produced a sleek, black ski mask. “This, Dante, is not just a mask. It’s made of a special fabric that can block bullets. It’s lightweight, won’t obstruct your vision, and will protect your identity.”
He handed me the mask. “I give you this not to aid your quest for vengeance, but to protect you from the physical harm that comes with such a path.”
I took the mask, feeling its texture between my fingers. “Thank you, Yū.”
“Dante,” Yū’s voice held a note of finality, “remember that there is more to life than revenge. There is love, there is joy, there is peace. Don’t let your quest for retribution blind you to the beauty that life still has to offer.”
His words echoed in my mind as I donned the mask, feeling the fabric mold to the contours of my face.
Fully clad in the coat and mask, I felt an immediate sense of security, an assurance that I was prepared for whatever lay ahead.
“I believe it’s time to see what this coat and mask are truly capable of.” He retrieved a sleek, black handgun from a glass case.
I frowned.
He pointed the gun at me. “Shall we put it to the test?”
“Can we talk about the fact that you love shooting at me.”
“It does bring me joy.” Backing up several feet, he winked. “Turn around.”
Shaking my head, I did as he said and kept my hands folded in front of me.
From the mirror, I watched him aim the gun at the back of my coat with a steady hand.
My heart pounded as I gritted my teeth.
“Let us see the coat’s magic.” The gunfire reverberated through the chamber, and I watched as the bullets sped toward me.
But as they struck the coat, they were effortlessly repelled, bouncing off, and fell to the floor.
I turned around and spotted them on the ground. Then, I glanced behind me and saw that the bullet didn’t even leave one mark on the coat. “Perfect.”
“Satisfied?”
“More than that.”
He gestured to the other side of the room. “I will provide a briefcase full of items, including a knife thrower.”
I quirked my brows. “To be against my mission, you are super helpful.”
His face shifted to a sad expression. “The Red Widow was never the same after she betrayed you. More blood spilled in the streets. More kids became orphans. While your revenge is not the proper path, I do think you are the man to restore order in Shadow Heights.”
A wicked smile spread across my face.
Yū shook his head. “I remember a young boy, lost and angry, who tried to steal from my dojo.”
I chuckled. “He thought he was very clever.”
“And what did that boy want?”
I considered my mind state at that time. “A weapon to protect me from all the bad guys in my life.”
Yū sighed. “You had fire in your eyes, Dante. A fire that needed direction. I saw potential in you, a chance for something more than the streets offered.”
“I was so sure you were going to turn me in, but you offered me a choice instead.”
“I’ve always believed that everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves, to choose a better path.” Yū crossed his arms over his chest. “And you, you chose to stay and learn.”