DEADLY DECEPTION

CHAPTER 38

Rick's POV

My brain worked fast—too fucking fast—but not fast enough to keep up with the storm clawing its way through my head. The voice. The way he said it.

Mio ragazzo.

A title I hadn't heard in years.

It was like a gunshot to the past, tearing through memories I had buried deep.

And then, a low, rich laugh crackled through the speaker.

Mocking.

"Ah. There it is." He sounded pleased. "You remember me, don't you? After all these years." Another chuckle. "I was beginning to think I'd have to carve my name into your fucking skull."

Rafael Moretti.

Alive.

My jaw locked, my pulse steady—but my mind? My mind was running. Too many pieces. Too many things that didn't fucking add up.

What the fuck is happening?

Rafael hummed, like he could hear my thoughts. "You were always quick, mio ragazzo, but never quick enough. Still playing catch-up, I see."

His tone was light. Teasing. Like this was all a fucking joke.

My fingers flexed against the phone, my throat dry, but I didn't speak. Not yet.

And then—

His voice dipped, smooth, effortless. Deadly.

"I should congratulate you, really. You put up quite a fight tonight. A shame it was all for nothing."

The back of my neck prickled. Something cold. A warning.

"But don't worry, Carlo. I'll make sure to clean up properly this time. No loose ends. No fucking traces." He exhaled sharply, almost amused. "Not like last time. This time, you won't even have bodies to find."

I stilled.

A pause.

Then—

"Starting with your little girl."

Everything went white.

Fury—pure, fucking fury—exploded in my chest, ripping through my veins like wildfire. The phone was nearly crushed in my grip as I snapped, my voice sharp, razor-edged.

"You motherfucking piece of shit—"

Rafael chuckled.

My vision blurred. My muscles coiled, burning with rage I couldn't unleash.

"No one, not even you, would be allowed to touch Avery without facing my wrath." My voice was low, lethal. A promise carved in stone. "If I had to burn down the world to keep her safe, then so be it. No one is getting past me. Not while I still draw breath."

Silence.

Then Rafael let out a slow, knowing laugh. "Oh, Carlo. You really haven't changed, have you? Still clinging to things you can't protect."

My nostrils flared.

"You always thought you had control. Always thought you were a step ahead. But tell me, Don Carlo" His voice turned colder. Sharper. "If you're so fucking untouchable, why have I been running circles around you this whole time?"

My fingers twitched. My pulse pounded in my ears.

"You never saw it, did you? The truth. The real game."

A slow inhale.

"Pathetic."

"You fucking—"

Click.