Chapter 13 - Betrayal Unmasked and the Final Judgment
The gunfire had ceased.
The Moretti mercenaries were either dead or disarmed, kneeling on the wet pavement with their hands behind their heads under the watchful barrels of Dante’s men.
Only one man remained.
Jake Martinez was crawling across the blood-slicked concrete toward the edge of the pier, clutching his mangled wrist, leaving a thick red trail behind him in the rain.
Luca walked slowly behind him, his heavy tactical boots clicking rhythmically against the stone.
"Please..." Jake choked out, rolling onto his back, coughing up blood. "Luca... please. We were business partners. Arthur would have wanted mercy... he was a peaceful man!"
Luca stopped at Jake’s feet, looking down at him with the cold, absolute finality of a judge delivering a death sentence.
"Arthur Carter spared your life when you were caught stealing from his warehouse," Luca said, his voice devoid of all anger, leaving only ice. "He gave you a second chance. He welcomed you into his home. And you killed him."
I walked forward, holding Emma tightly against my shoulder, shielding her eyes from the gruesome scene.
Jake looked at me, his eyes wide with desperate, pathetic pleading. "Ava... please. I'm Emma’s father. You can't let him kill me! Tell him! Tell him to stop!"
I looked at the man who had stolen my future, murdered my father with stress and lies, and used my innocent baby as a human shield.
"My daughter's father is holding this city together," I said, my voice cold and unwavering. "You are just a ghost who overstayed his welcome."
Jake opened his mouth to scream, but Luca raised his weapon.
A single gunshot echoed into the stormy night.
May you like
Jake Martinez slumped backward, motionless, his lifeless eyes staring up into the Seattle rain.
Luca lowered his gun, took a deep breath, and turned toward us.
