★LUCIANO★

A stab of hurt cut through my veins. Instantly, tears welled up in my eyes, but I closed them shut to suppress my tumultuous nerves. Although, I expected something like this to happen eventually. Yet, at some point, I decided to cling to the ray of hope I had left. I hoped she could fight it and come out victorious.

Visiting my mother every month, my heart usually clench in pain whenever I saw her. She couldn't speak. She couldn't move. Painfully, she couldn't hear whatever I had to say.

Why now?

For seven freaking years, my mother slipped into a vegetative state. After we lost my sister, father, house, and everything we owned ten years ago, she had never been the same again.

Unluckily for her, she traveled from Italy to China just to purchase some products for her company. Only to hear of the unfortunate attack, the next day.

Because of that terrible news, she slumped. And that was how my uncle had to help her get admitted before his death. She had been on several medications, in and out of the hospital until she slipped into a coma three years later.

Out of fury, I balled my fist and collided them with the wall. Instantly, my knuckles cracked up but I didn't feel any pain. I had been numb from pain for several years. My chest rose and fell in seething rage. I didn't know who to unleash my anger on, because of my mother's death. The rival group that planned the attack on us, ten years ago had been killed one after the other except for my nemesis, Ramos.

And one day, Ramos Ashton would meet his demise too.

A trickle of blood seeped out of my torn knuckles, but I paid no attention to that. Seeing blood invigorates me and I relish the sight of it.

Perhaps, I could see some more. I said to myself as an ingenious thought ran across my mind. So without further ado, I strutted into my room and opened the closet.

The scenery of guns brought up something that strengthened my resolve and a small crooked smirk tugged at the corners of my lips. Damn! I love hunting!

So I picked up a pistol, a revolver, and a shotgun. Afterward, I closed the door shut and found my way out of the mansion.

The moment I opened the front door, Romano bumped into me on his way in, “I am so sorry, Boss.” He took two steps backward then his eyes fell on the guns in my hand.

“Move.”

Romano's eyes searched mine. “What is wrong, Luciano?”

I hardened my jaw to conceal my agony. “They just called from the hospital in Italy. My mom died this morning.” I informed him.

“Oh my goodness!” Romano gasped in shock. “I am so sorry. Are you okay? Should I get you some water?”

“There is no need for that.” Came my short flaccid response.

“Please accept my condolences, Boss. I wish I can give you all the comfort.” He stated with a tone of sympathy.

“It's fine. Although I was hoping she would survive this, I also had in mind that something like this could happen.”

His eyes drifted to the guns in my hand once more. “Boss, what do you want to use them for?” He gestured at my hand and my lips curved into a crooked smile.

“For hunting,” I replied sharply.

“Hunt?” Romano's brows furrowed in confusion. “But you do not hunt except if— oh!” I guess he trailed off the moment he realized what I was referring to.

“Exactly! I need those two guys we captured during our rampage with Ramos.” I instructed with a scowl. “So where are they?”

“They are locked up just as you asked, Boss.”

“Good. Set them free and bring them to the range ground behind the annex of the mansion, I want to play a little game with them.” I notified him.

“Death game right?” Romano teased.

Normally, I would have laughed but at this moment, I wasn't in the mood for jokes. My face remained straight and the scowl deepened. So I guess Romano took that as a cue to carry out my bidding because he stooped and then stormed off immediately.

That was part of the reason why Romano was my right-hand man. He knew when to ask questions and when to stop. Now wasn't an exception. So I readjusted the shotgun and sauntered to the range ground.

In a short span of ten minutes, the two captives working for Ramos were brought forward to me in blindfolds. Romano and Jericho propelled them to their knees and I watched in satisfaction.

Leaning towards the first, I asked a direct question; “How willing are you to live?”

The guy trembled like a wet leaf. “Please.” His pale lips quivered in fear. “I am very willing to live. I have seen hell for the past few days and I will be immensely grateful if you let me go, Sir.”

“Good.” I breathed against his ear. “I just need Ramos Ashton's hideout location and you'd be a free man once you can tell me.”

Just then, the second captive chuckled wryly. “Ramos hideout?” He snorted. “Is this a joke? You can never find it and even if you did, the great Ramos Ashton would suck your blood dry.”

His remark made my lips curve into a crooked smile. “Oh really?” I snapped my fingers, and Romano removed his blindfolds so he could see me.

Although his eyes flickered with fear, he was fast in maintaining his poise. And I like him! I like strong-willed men who felt they could disrespect me because they gave me the leverage to torture them pleasingly.

Hardening my jaw, I took a few intimidating strides toward him and smirked. “Repeat what you said.”

“With pleasure...” His voice trailed off when the second one pinched his arm, but he shrugged him off violently. Afterward, he returned his gaze to me.

Deep down, my blood was boiling with seething rage. However, I decided not to unleash those inner demons all at once. He had to suffer and he would regret talking to me in such a manner!

“I said there is no point in looking for Ramos Ashton's hideout because you'd never find it. Even if you did, death awaits you and your chipmunks.” He gestured at Romano and Jericho. And they let out a chortle.

Feigning fear, I placed my hand on my chest and gaped in horror. “Oh, I am so terrified. Someone, please save me!”

Romano and Jericho burst into a series of raucous laughter. And I smiled. A part of me was grateful that he managed to make me laugh after a long while.

But instantly, the smile on my face vanished into thin air only to be soon replaced with a scowl.

I inhaled sharply and leaned my head towards his face in the most intimidating way and uttered one word strong enough to instill fear. “Crawl.”

He remained in his spot, unfazed.

So without another word, I fired at his right heels, prompting an ear-splitting agonizing cry from his lips. And they sounded like a melody to my ears.

I aimed the gun at his second leg and reiterated once more; “Crawl.”

With blood oozing out in spurts from his open wounds, he shakily began to drag himself on his knees.

The second one was trembling badly. Nonetheless, I wasn't even paying attention to him just yet. This recalcitrant one got all my attention and he was going to see hell on earth. Next time, if he hears the name 'Luciano' he would run for his dear miserable life!

“Faster!” I roared.

A trail of blood formed on the floor as he hauled himself little by little. Beads of sweat formed on his dirt-stained brows and tears were filling his eyes.

“I said faster!”

He pulled himself forward, groaning and grunting in pain. But I was just getting started. No one condescendingly talks to me and roams free. Neither will he.

For thirty minutes straight, he was still crawling on his knees and his tied hands made less of the effort. “Aargh, fuck!” He groaned out in pain.

“Don't cry just yet. Ramos ain't here to save you or do you need a hug?” I teased.

His eyes held mine, and they were pleading for mercy. “Please.” He managed to blurt. “Please I don't want to die.”

“Did you hear that?” I turned to Romano and Jericho. “This young man here said he ain't ready to die.”

They burst into a series of raucous laughter once more.

“You should have thought about that before disrespecting our boss!” Jericho chipped.

I turned to face him. “You heard him, you should have thought about your pathetic life first. Now crawl!”

Whimpering, he resumed his struggle, dragging himself forward amidst the dirt, dust particles, and sand.

So I waited and let him move forward a little. When he did, I aimed the pistol at the back of his head and fired.

Almost at once, his defuncted body dropped to the floor and blood began to ooze out in spurts from his open skull.

Without remorse, I turned to the second captive. “Now where were we?”