Twisted Loyalty

Chapter 37: Checkmate

Dante

Time slows. The seconds feel like hours, each heartbeat pounding in my chest like a war drum. Luca stands there, his gun pressed to the back of Sienna's head, his face twisted in a sick, satisfied grin. I can feel the cold floor beneath my knees, every nerve in my body coiled tight, ready to spring. I'm watching his every move, waiting for the right moment.

But it has to be perfect.

"Look at you," Luca sneers, his voice thick with arrogance. "On your knees like a dog. Did you really think you'd win this, Dante? Did you really think you could take her from me?"

I grit my teeth, keeping my voice steady, cold. "I didn't take her from you. You lost her the moment you started treating her like something to control."

His eyes flash, the sneer curling deeper on his lips. "Control is everything, Dante. And you, of all people, should know that. You've built your empire on power, on fear. Just like I have. The only difference is that I've been doing this longer, and better. And now? You're going to lose."

My eyes flick to Sienna. Her shoulders are shaking, her face pale, her breathing ragged. She's barely holding on, the gun pressing into her head with such force that her skin is indenting under the barrel. Every second that gun stays there feels like a lifetime, like a blade pressing into my chest.

I need to make my move. Now.

"You're wrong," I say, my voice quiet but firm. "I've built everything by protecting what's mine. You've only built destruction. You think you've won, Luca? You've already lost. You just don't know it yet."

Luca's expression hardens, his eyes narrowing. I can see the flicker of doubt in his gaze, just for a second. And that's all I need. His grip on Sienna shifts slightly, his focus slipping as he tightens his hold on the gun. He's trying to reassert his control, but I can feel him slipping.

"I've lost nothing," Luca growls, pressing the gun harder against her. Sienna lets out a small, broken whimper, and my heart feels like it's being ripped apart. I have to stay calm, stay controlled. But every second I hear her in pain, I'm that much closer to tearing Luca limb from limb.

"Luca..." Sienna's voice is barely a whisper, trembling with fear and exhaustion. "Please..."

Hearing her beg—it almost breaks me. But I can't let it. Not yet. I have to stay steady. "Let her go, Luca," I say again, my voice low and dangerous. "This doesn't end the way you think it will."

Luca's laugh is harsh, echoing through the cold, empty warehouse. "You're delusional, Dante. You think you can save her? You think you're some kind of hero? Look at you—kneeling in front of me, begging for her life. You've already lost."

His hand tightens on the gun, and I see his knuckles whiten as he presses the barrel harder into the back of Sienna's head. She gasps, her whole body trembling, and it feels like a knife twisting in my gut. I can't wait any longer.

I shift slightly on my knees, pretending to lose my balance. Luca's eyes flicker down, just for a second—just for a second—but it's enough. I've been waiting for this moment, calculating his every move, and when his focus breaks, I spring.

In a flash, I'm up on my feet, faster than he can react. My hand shoots out, grabbing his wrist, twisting the gun away from Sienna's head. The moment I make contact, Luca's eyes widen in shock, and his grip on the gun falters for just a moment. I slam my elbow into his face with all my strength, hearing the sickening crunch of bone as he stumbles backward.

The gun slips from his hand and clatters to the floor, and in an instant, I'm on him, my fists driving into his face, his stomach, anywhere I can land a hit. Every punch is filled with the rage and fury I've been holding back for hours—days. The pain he's caused Sienna, the hell he's put her through, fuels every blow.

He grunts as I hit him again, his body slamming into the concrete floor, blood dripping from his mouth, but I'm not done. I grab the front of his shirt, dragging him up just enough so I can slam him down again, my teeth clenched with rage.

"How does it feel now, Luca?" I growl, my voice low and dangerous. "How does it feel to lose control?"

He spits blood, his eyes filled with venom as he glares up at me. "You think you've won, Costa?" he rasps, his voice shaking with pain and rage. "You're nothing. This changes nothing."

I slam his head back down, hard. "No, Luca. It changes everything."

I stand up, my chest heaving, blood dripping from my knuckles. Luca's barely conscious, his body limp on the floor, but I don't care. I turn back to Sienna, who's still on her knees, trembling, tears streaking down her face.

"Sienna," I say softly, my voice steady now, though my heart is still racing. I kneel in front of her, reaching out gently, my hands cupping her bruised face. "It's over. You're safe."

She looks up at me, her eyes wide, filled with so much pain and fear that it nearly breaks me. "Dante..."

Her voice cracks, and she breaks down, collapsing into my arms, sobbing uncontrollably. I hold her close, my arms wrapped around her as tightly as I can without hurting her, my hand cradling the back of her head.

"I've got you," I whisper into her hair, my lips brushing against her temple. "I've got you. It's over. I swear."

We stay like that for a long time, her body shaking against mine as she cries. I don't know how long we sit there, but I don't care. She's in my arms. She's safe.

But then I hear movement behind me, and I glance back to see Luca, bloodied and broken, dragging himself to his feet, a sneer curling on his lips.

"You think this is over?" he slurs, his voice thick with blood. "This is just the beginning, Dante. You've made an enemy you can't escape."

I stand up slowly, keeping Sienna behind me, my eyes locked on Luca's. "You're wrong. This is the end for you, Luca."

His laugh is weak, his body swaying as he tries to stay upright. "You're a fool, Costa. I'll never stop."

I take a step forward, my heart pounding, my fists clenched at my sides. I glance back at Sienna, who is watching, her eyes filled with fear and exhaustion. She's been through enough. But Luca?

Luca deserves nothing less than to die for what he's done.

I pick up the gun from the floor, the weight of it solid in my hand. I don't hesitate. Luca meets my eyes, his sneer faltering just slightly, and for the first time, I see fear flicker in his gaze.

"Wait," he says, raising a hand as if he can stop what's coming. "We can make a deal—"

I pull the trigger.

The gunshot echoes through the warehouse, and Luca crumples to the ground, his body hitting the concrete with a sickening thud. His eyes are open, lifeless, blood pooling beneath him.

It's done. He's dead.

I drop the gun, my chest heaving, the adrenaline still coursing through me, but I feel... calm. Finally. There's no guilt, no regret. Only the cold satisfaction that Luca will never hurt Sienna again. He will never control her. He will never control us.

I turn back to Sienna, who is still watching, her eyes wide, her body trembling. I kneel in front of her again, my hands reaching out to cup her face gently. "It's over," I whisper, my voice soft but firm. "You're free, Sienna. You're safe now."

She nods, tears slipping down her cheeks, and she leans into my touch, her body relaxing just slightly. "Thank you," she whispers, her voice shaking. "Thank you for saving me."

I pull her into my arms, holding her close, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. "I'll always save you," I murmur into her hair, my voice filled with a quiet promise. "Always."

And as we sit there, the chaos of the warehouse fading into the background, I know that this—us—is the only thing that matters now. Luca is dead. The war is over.

And Sienna is mine.