Chapter 128: Moretti

Her screams echo down the hall as I walk away, each desperate cry slicing through the silence, filling me with a satisfaction so dark, so complete, I almost want to turn back just to savor it. The sound of her fear, her pain—there’s nothing sweeter. It’s like a symphony, composed just for me, each sob and plea a reminder of her helplessness, her brokenness. I would stay here forever, basking in her terror if I could.

A cruel smile twists my lips as I recall the reason I chose to kill him first. I’d watched, seething with rage, from that filthy, cramped apartment, forced to see her in his arms, his hands on her, as if he had some right to touch her. As if he could ever deserve her. The sight of them together had burned into my mind, fueling the anger that had been simmering for too long. I decided then that he would be the first to go—that I’d wipe that smug look off his face forever.

And now he’s lying in that closet, nothing more than a reminder of what happens to anyone who gets between me and what’s mine.

I hear her banging on the door, her voice shrill, desperate, but I know that sooner or later, her cries will alert the others. They’ll come running, thinking they can protect her. Fools. Let them come. I’ve been ready for this. Each of them will fall, one by one, just like he did. Because the truth is, none of them understand who they’re dealing with. They think they can play hero, that they can keep her safe.

But I’m done waiting.

As if on cue, I hear the pounding of footsteps down the hall. The four of them—the originals, the ones who dared to take her from me in the first place. My eyes settle on Nate as they come into view, each one looking frantic, enraged, and deliciously unprepared. But Nate—oh, Nate has always made my blood boil the hottest. The way he looks at her, as if he has some right to her, like she’s his to protect. He’s held this claim over her, more than any of them, and it disgusts me.

I let a slow, dark smile spread across my face as I step forward, the anticipation tightening in my chest. “Sorry to intrude on your little home,” I say, my voice dripping with mock sincerity. “You see, I just came to kill your baby and take back my girl.” I chuckle, a sound meant to crawl under their skin, and add with a smirk, “Oh, and I took care of your friend, too. Oops.”

Their faces shift, shock giving way to rage, and I can practically taste the hatred rolling off them. It’s intoxicating, the way they’re already unraveling, the way they’re glaring at me with the kind of fury that borders on desperation. I feel Nate’s glare burning into me, but he won’t get the satisfaction of a straight answer. No, I’m going to enjoy dragging this out.

“Where is she?” Nate demands, his voice tight, every word laced with a barely restrained fury.

I raise an eyebrow, feigning innocence, enjoying the way his anger makes him shake. “Oh, she’s nearby. Don’t worry—I made sure she’d be close enough to hear the… aftermath.”

Riley steps forward, fists clenched, his face pale but set in a cold, murderous glare. “Tell us where they are, Moretti. Now.”

I tilt my head, pretending to think, and let a slow, twisted smile spread across my face. “You want her so badly, hmm?” I let my gaze flick to each of them, savoring the look in their eyes. “But tell me… did any of you ever really believe she could belong to you? You stole her, all of you, like rats scurrying off with something shiny. But she’s always been mine.”

Danny spits, his voice a low growl. “You’re out of your mind, Moretti. This isn’t love—it’s obsession.”

I let out a sharp laugh, enjoying the way his words fuel the darkness brewing inside me. “Obsession? Maybe. But unlike you, I know exactly what I want. And I won’t let her be stained by any of you. She deserves better than this pathetic little arrangement you’ve set up for her.”

They bristle, their fury bubbling over, but I only smirk, leaning against the doorframe as if I have all the time in the world.

“You want to find her?” I ask, letting the words hang in the air. “Maybe you should check the closet. You might find… what’s left of your dear friend in there. But hurry now—she’s waiting.”

The rage that fills their eyes, the helpless frustration, it’s everything I wanted. I can feel their resolve cracking, the hatred burning brighter, and it’s a feeling that leaves me utterly satisfied.

As they take a step forward, ready to tear me apart, I lift a finger, tsking softly. "Ah, ah," I say, gesturing downward, watching with satisfaction as their eyes follow. Realization dawns on their faces as they take in the gasoline soaked into the floorboards, the faint glistening trail leading right to the closet.

I watch their expressions shift—rage giving way to horror, panic, helplessness. I savor it, feeling the thrill course through me, and slowly pull out a lighter, flicking it open and letting the tiny flame dance between us.

“How sweet do you think she’ll sound when she’s burning alive?” I murmur, letting the words settle in, letting the image seep into their minds. I see Nate’s face go pale, his hands clenching into fists, the horror in his eyes almost… beautiful.

They freeze, every last one of them, all that fury turning into cold, stark fear, their eyes locked on the flickering flame in my hand.

I twirl the lighter between my fingers, watching their horrified faces with pure satisfaction. The flame flickers, casting shadows that dance across their expressions—shock, rage, fear, all wrapped into one delicious mixture. I savor it, every delicious second of their helplessness.

“This,” I say, my voice a low, mocking drawl, “has truly been a pleasure. A game, if you will. To watch you scramble, to see you so certain you could keep her from me… it’s been a beautiful thing.”

They stand frozen, every muscle tense, their eyes flicking between the flame in my hand and the gasoline-soaked floor beneath their feet, leading straight to the closet. Straight to where she’s trapped.

“But every game must come to an end,” I continue, letting a smirk spread across my face. “And now, you’ll meet your death the way you deserve—helpless, watching everything you love go up in flames.”

Their faces twist in rage and desperation, but none of them dare to move. They know I’m one flick away from ending it all, from reducing everything they fought for to ash. The power surges through me, intoxicating, thrilling.

And I savor it.