by K. M. Liss
“Oh no. I'm not making it fucking easy for you. I'm going to work damn hard to get you back Sevi. It won't be long before you dump your old doorman for me.”
“I'm sorry Saba. You'll have to face up to it sometime. Goodbye. It's over...” she choked out the words as she started to walk away. She slipped along the darkness of the shadow of the wall and back to the gate when a loud voice boomed out.
“SEVERINA, get in here this instant!”
She came out of the shadows and faced Nico who was looking so full of rage she thought he would burst.
“I'm just making a quick house call.”
“The fuck you are. Get indoors!” He marched Saba and herself inside the villa. He must be very cross if he was swearing at her. “Now tell me, what couldn't be said by phone, hmmmm?”
“Nico, I'm sorry, but I needed to see Saba face to face, one last time. You know. Just in case I didn't see him again.”
“Have you made your peace?”
“We've spoken. Said what needed to be said.”
“In that case I will call a taxi cab to take you back immediately.”
“It's okay. Calista will be here soon. In a few minutes.”
“She knew about this?” His eyes widened and flashed bright yellow in renewed rage.
“No. She just found out and was as cross with me as you are.”
“Come in quickly. When Calista and the taxicab arrive, I will see you to it personally.”
They stood inside and waited, and suddenly piped choral music started playing. Sevi stood and listened as the beautiful notes wafted through the air and deeply into her soul. How she loved music like this. It was so rousing. It sounded like it was made by angels. She shut her eyes and sighed. But not for long.
“Shit, I don't believe this. Saba, take Sevi down with you. I'll get Cali,” Nico growled out next to her.
Sevi was led downstairs, through a panelled door, and into a large underground room. She looked around in amazement.
“What's going on?” Sevi asked in confusion.
“We're under attack my love,” Saba replied calmly.
“Oh fuck, no!” Her heart started beating like a drum and her mouth dried up in an instant with fear.
Miche appeared through the doorway, and after catching sight of her with great annoyance etched plainly across his beautiful features, he came to her side, detaching her from Saba's grasp, and leading her as far away from him as he could.
“You'd better have a damn good reason for being here,” he snapped.
“I wanted to say a few civil words to Saba, just in case he was dead soon.”
“I suppose that's a fair enough reason. So, have you said them?”
“We kissed goodbye and then I demanded a divorce. He said no, he wants me back.”
“Oh great!”
Nico burst through the doorway with a startled Calista in tow, shutting it quickly behind him.
He sat down at the computer and observed the perimeter walls and grounds. They all huddled around him to watch. After a few minutes, shadowy black clothed figures crept stealthily over the wall towards the house.
“Okay everyone. This is it. The devil is at our door.”
* * *
Rico followed Jax through the trees and fields towards the lights of the Villa Gianni ahead. He smothered a little laugh. It was a nervous laugh. Despite their superior fire power and expertise, he still felt extremely worried. More than he should. Anna had been hysterical when he left her. Hanging on his legs and begging him not to go. He'd almost relented and left them to it. But no, he needed this. It was closure.
“Stop here for a moment,” Jax said through his earpiece, taking a seat on a rock nearby. “Okay, we're all go. If anyone isn't clear on their role speak now.” Deathly silence followed. “Good. Then move on. Uso, take the point. I'll take the rear. As we rehearsed. North, south, east, and west, take your positions and wait for my signal. Kill anyone you see silently. Not Calista and Nico, of course!” he added with a touch of jest. “Good luck men. I'm on silent until we arrive.”
They all trailed along ahead of him. Their perfect vampire vision providing adequate means to see all the terrain that lay in their path. They crossed the road to the side of the walled villa and each hopped over the high wall with ease. Rico followed, encouraged by Jax, who tapped his hand on his shoulder. His heart was beating wildly in his chest. His moment of retribution was nigh. In a minute or two it would all be over. The Giannis would be gone, dispatched to hell where they belonged. The last two by his very own hands.
Hatred brimmed inside of him, matched with a sudden tide of adrenaline, propelling him forth. He clutched his gun purposefully, ready to fire. They crept silently down the boundary wall and inside the villa, the door was unlocked, and the first of them slid inside. Music was playing loudly. Beautiful classical music. This was so easy. They wouldn't even hear them come in! He went in, with Jax bringing up the rear. They all dispersed quickly to their positions as detailed. Suddenly there was a loud click behind them. The door closed on its own and then started to buzz and hum strangely. He turned and looked at Jax in confusion.
What the hell?
Before he could think any more about it, something strange happened inside his head. It was like he was suddenly drunk and falling to the ground. He felt pain in his shoulder as he fell heavily on the cold marbled surface, and he couldn't move anything. His whole body was out of his control. Anna's words came flooding back to him.
“.... you're all going to die. Every last one of you. I can see you all lying there on the floor in my mind. It won't go away.”
His world turned black and he knew no more.
Chapter 7
Nico sat on his chair, looking at the cluster of unconscious vampires inside the cage before him. They didn't appear so formidable now, but he held a gun on them, just to be on the extra safe side. Enrico was handcuffed to the outside of the cage and was sitting propped up against the bars facing him, along with Jaxon Carter. All their weapons had been removed and were deposited in the large box in the corner of the room. They had been very heavily and cleverly armed. Knives, hand guns, a few grenades, huge machine guns. There wasn't much they didn't have.
“How long do we have to wait for these dreadful creatures to wake up?” Sevi asked finally with a bored sigh. “Can't we throw a bucket of water over them?”
“You have such an impatient spirit, don't you?” Nico replied with a grin.
“I'd love to give those two an almighty kick with my boots,” Calista suggested, motioning towards Enrico and Jaxon.
“Are you serious?” Nico replied, raising his eyebrows.
“Am I? You betcha.”
“Go on then my love, if it makes you feel better. Make sure it's a very hard kick, somewhere painful.”
“What about me?” Sevi protested.
“You are quite welcome to kick them too. But I feel trainers might not be the ideal shoes to cause much damage,” he replied, looking at her footwear in doubt.
“You are joking. I don't need any shoes, I can do it barefoot. I'm a blackbelt in karate.”
“Why not? Get it off your chest. But don't overdo it. They need to be able to hear and speak afterwards.”
An almighty cheer sounded out from all present as Lady Calista strode up and kicked her would be murderer very hard in the stomach. The resounding thump pleased her, and she delivered an equally effective blow to his ape-like sidekick. She turned and took a bow as they started to rouse from their drugged sleep with a deep moan.
“They're all yours Sevi, my sister. Go for it,” Cali announced, tottering off on her high heels. Sevi removed her trainers and socks and rolled up her jeans as Enrico's eyes fluttered open.
She swung her leg and hit him full force in the hip and he groaned loudly with pain. Swivelling 'round, she swiped Jaxon extremely hard on the shoulder and then again on the other.
“Eeewww... Something definitely made cracking sounds there,” Calista said with
a grimace.
“You're right, they did. Hopefully he won't be able to pick a gun up for a while, let alone pull the trigger,” Sevi explained with a spluttering laugh. “That felt so good, I have to say. Therapeutic and rather soul stirring. How lovely I was able to put my martial art to such perfect use at last.” She stood before the pained men with her arms crossed and an evil smirk on her beautiful face.
“Wha... Severina... I must be in hell...” Enrico groaned, looking at her with one bloodshot eye.
“Just do us and get it over with,” Jaxon spat out with true SAS bravado. “Fuck, what have you done to my shoulders you bastards?”
“You were lucky it was only your collar bones. I could have done a lot more damage,” Sevi said with a gleeful glare. “And for your information, I am no bastard. I am a bitch of the highest order. Got that, ape face?”
“Now then dear people, let's get to know one another,” Nico began in a droll tone. “Would you like a glass of wine, or perhaps some iced water for refreshment?” They all laughed with hilarity. Except the two on the floor. Some of the army began to rouse with the noise in the room.
“What are you going to do with us?” Enrico asked warily, looking at the gun pointed directly at him.
“Now let me see, perhaps something similar to that which your dear father liked to indulge in... Ah yes, rape with very large pieces of wood... Calista can tell you all about that little game of his. Would you like one of those stuck up your backside perhaps... or what about this, I shall cut off one of your hands. Yes, like he did to poor little Sofia, that's a much better choice. I think I have a sword somewhere, it might be a bit rusty and blunt though. Perhaps it will take two chops to get it off,” Nico carried on in a matter of fact tone.
“Shut the fuck up, you liar!” Enrico spat out in disgust.
“Why should I? Don't you like to hear the truth? There's plenty more where that came from. Whipping our women, dragging them around by their hair. Putting them on a bench and torturing them with sharp objects... Oh and then there's his prize performance, hacking off Calista's parent's heads! Such a nice piece of work, your dear father Raffaele. How I miss him.”
“He would never have done all that,” Rico insisted, his voice low and hoarse.
“Sadly for you and for us, he did. Any one of these people will attest to having witnessed some part of his cruelty,” Nico said levelly, turning to his family, who were nodding their agreement.
“You killed him, didn't you?” Rico spat out.
“I have to admit I did. I was overcome at the sight of my two beloved women being tortured so brutally. We had a fair sword fight and I won. I dispatched him just as brutally as he deserved, Enrico.”
“What of my mother, did you kill her too?”
“No I didn't have that pleasure, I'm afraid. Your mother, hmmm... She was a traitorous, miserable, gold digger. I believe.”
“How dare you speak of her like that!” Enrico growled out, straining against his cuffs in wild fury.
“What do you know? From what I gather you two haven't spoken for too many years to count. I shall tell you exactly what happened, shall I?”
“Severina and Saba came to kill us. They will openly admit to it. They were seeking revenge for the slaughter of your father and Severina's twin brother Vincenzo. They persuaded your mother to join them, to seek her own retribution for Raffaele. Sevi and Saba believed they had Ristorian blood flowing in their veins, and ridding the world of us would be a historic triumph as well as a personal victory. But it appeared they were wrong on one crucial fact. They were in fact Gianni, changed by one of my dear friends.” He paused and turned to Sevi and Saba, treating each to a smile.
“Anyway, to continue with your mother's demise... On the night of their ill intentioned deed, Sevi and Portia entered my wife's room and approached her bed. Sevi turned at the moment your mother raised a knife to stab her in the back. If Saba hadn't arrived, she would have succeeded in killing her. After a short struggle with him, your mother was fatally injured. It was very clear that she had another motive driving her. That of greed. She had very little money. In fact she married humans and dispatched them shortly afterwards in order to procure their wealth. She saw Saba as a very attractive means to gaining an instant fortune and fame. She had already interfered in their relationship and planned to steal him from Sevi. That was the type of person your mother was Enrico. Do you still feel the same way now, about your parents? Are they worth killing a whole houseful of people over?”
“I don't know what to think,” Enrico muttered, hanging his head in confusion.
“Don't listen Rico, they're lying,” Jaxon spat out in disgust.
“Why? Why would we lie? We could shoot you all right now and end our troubles just like that. Why haven't we? Could it be that we are decent and forgiving and want this blood feud to end. It is sickening how many people have died since it started.”
Rico looked up in mental anguish at how his thoughts were swinging wildly towards believing all this, and he wasn't just agreeing with Nico as a matter of self preservation either.
“Enrico and Jaxon, I appeal to you. You are both men of honour. Wouldn't you two prefer to be the ones who stop the slaughter? The ones who rise above it all and unite us for eternity? Or perhaps I should just shoot you all one by one and be done with it. It's so much easier for me than trying to reason with and appeal to your sense of right and wrong.”
There was a sudden loud click behind them and they all turned and looked at the doorway. A tall redhead stood there with a gun pointed at them.
“Put the gun down and let Rico go,” she demanded with shaking hands.
“No Anna, please don't. Go, leave...” Rico appealed frantically.
“If you're going to die, so shall I, despite the fact I'm a Gianni myself. I'm counting to three.”
“Anna for God's sake I beg you, NO!” Rico shouted.
“One, two, three...” To everyone's absolute shock and horror, she fired a random shot at the group of people behind Nico.
Sevi screamed as she saw blood seeping through the front of Fro's shirt. His eyes dimmed rapidly as he sank to the floor with a deep moan.
I'll fucking kill her, not my dearest Fro, no, no, no....
She launched herself at the redhead in bitter fury and she fired again, hitting Sevi in the upper arm and sending her hurtling backwards to the floor. Sevi was bleeding profusely, in agonising pain, her arm burning more than she could bear. Miche and Saba rushed to her aid, desperately trying to stem the flow by tying pieces of clothing tightly around her arm.
“Miche... my arm... my head..." she whispered as she lapsed into unconsciousness.
“Hold on, please, hold on my love,” he whispered in her ear as everything went black.
“You're not getting the message. Let him go,” Anna insisted.
They all stood in horror as she started to count again.
“Stop. Wait!” Nico said quickly. He placed his gun on the floor, got up, and released Rico from his cuffs.
“Come over here my darling, quickly.” She kept the gun pointed at the Giannis as Rico joined her.
“Anna, please. Put the gun down. You don't understand, you're making this so much worse.”
Miche, full of anger and bursting with adrenaline, took advantage of his position close by her and sprang at her legs, pushing her over with a deep angry snarl. Another shot rang out before he managed to whip the gun from her hand. For a few seconds it appeared no one had been hit. But with a deep groan, Saba slumped to the floor next to him, a gunshot wound in the side of his head. He lay before them dead, with blood gushing from the wound, pooling around him on the floor. His limbs twitched and his eyes stared wide open in shock. Calista screamed with the horror going on around her as she sat at Fro's side, desperately trying to keep him alive, applying pressure on his stomach wound for all she was worth to help control the profuse bleeding.
“That's enough, please!” pleaded Rico. “No more of this. Anna my
love, you don't know what you have done. They were trying to bring an end to all this killing. My whole world has changed and now... now I can't even think straight any more. Where do we go from here?” He looked at Nico in desperate appeal. Anna curled up on the floor in sudden distress at her misconception of the situation. She started sobbing madly in realisation of the dreadful role she had played. The murders she had committed within her own family, unnecessarily.
“I don't know myself, Rico.” Nico began rubbing his fingers across his head in shock and distress. “Perhaps we should kill your delightful Anna, for shooting Fro, Saba, and Sevi? Even though she misunderstood what was going on here and is apparently one of us. Then you could kill another one or two of ours out of hatred for us. And so on and so on. Or we could just get it all over with and shoot each other right now. Give him the gun Miche,” Nico ordered with a sickened, defeated voice.
“Nico, no don't!” Calista shouted, sobbing louder than ever.
“Yes,” Nico insisted.
Miche handed Rico Anna's gun and they both raised them at each other. It was deathly silent in the room as everyone held their breath.
“So, an eye for an eye, to end all this forever,” Nico said dully.
“Yes, an eye for an eye.”
“So do it. I'm waiting. I really don't care anymore whether I live or not. My heart is so broken. I am destroyed.” Nico stood staring bleakly into Rico's blazing yellow eyes, his teeth descending with the darkest emotion flooding through him.
“No, I can't.”
“Put the gun down then. But make it for the last time.”
Rico put his gun on the floor and stood up again.
“It's over for me. But your family, lying here, I can't bring them back for you.”
“That's just it, isn't it? Every time someone dies, someone else's heart dies with them. Please leave Rico, and fast. Take your wretched Anna and the whole fucking army away before I change my mind. I am suddenly overcome with some very bad thoughts.” He gave him the keys and he unlocked Jaxon's cuffs and freed the rest. They all filed out silently, nodding respectfully at the Gianni family.