Omerta ||ʙᴏᴏᴋ 1||

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴇɪɢʜᴛ

I pulled the trigger without blinking. Anger was wildfire in my veins. The woman's body slumped forward, lifeless, like a puppet with its strings cut.

And I just stood there.

Was I supposed to feel remorse? For the woman who betrayed my family? Who almost got my little brother killed? No. She was a traitor. She deserved what she got.

I tucked the gun back into the waistband of my shorts, hiding it beneath my hoodie. The cleanup crew moved in without a word, like it was just another day. I didn't look back. I walked out of that basement and into the cold morning air with Cole behind me. Neither of us said a word. The silence was louder than anything else.

Cole opened the passenger door and closed it once I slid in. He took a slow, deep breath before starting the engine. The moment he looked at me, I saw the conflict in his eyes.

"Skylar, are you okay?" His voice was soft, uncertain. "You didn't have to do that. It was supposed to be me. I only brought you to see how it goes down... not to pull the trigger."

I stared straight ahead, my jaw clenched. Why did everyone treat me like I was fragile? Like I couldn't make choices on my own?

"Look, Moretti," I said, turning to face him. "I know you care about me... at least a little. But I'm fine. She could've gotten Jack killed. I'm not gonna become some deranged killer—but I'll do what I have to. I'll protect the people I love. If there's a price to pay, I'll pay it."

He didn't respond right away. Just let out another slow breath, trying to hold something in. Something he wasn't ready to say.

"Just be careful, Sky," he murmured. "I don't want you to turn out like me. But..." He reached over and took my hand, our fingers lacing together perfectly. "La famiglia viene sempre prima. Family always comes first."

I couldn't stop the small smile that tugged at my lips. As much as I hated admitting it, I liked him. I wanted him. But there were so many reasons not to. So many things in the way.

"What are you doing later?" he asked, his thumb brushing my knuckle.

"I've gotta babysit. My dad's taking Cheryl out," I sighed. "Hunter texted me a few minutes ago."

"Ugh, I was gonna ask you to come to a party," he said, rolling his eyes.

"You're more than welcome to come over instead. My brothers can be annoying, but I'll make sure they don't rat you out."

We sat there holding hands in his car, just existing in a moment of peace. No gunshots. No blood. No betrayal. For once, I felt safe.

"Fine, Sky," he said with a smirk.

We pulled into my driveway and walked inside. As soon as we crossed the threshold, I heard Jack's scream upstairs. My heart jumped into my throat.

I sprinted up the stairs, instincts kicking in, only to find Hunter tickling Jack mercilessly. I sighed in relief, but that was short-lived. Hunter stood up, grabbed my arm roughly.

"Ow," I hissed.

"You came home with blood on you," he growled. "You need to change that damn shirt. You're lucky Jack didn't see it."

I rolled my eyes. "Jesus, Hunter. I just got home. I heard Jack scream and came running. Yeah, I've got blood on my shirt—so please, get off my damn back."

I felt a hand on my lower back. I turned and saw Cole, his presence grounding me instantly. I smiled slightly.

"What? You sleeping with my sister now too?" Hunter snapped. "Damn, Sky, who haven't you slept with?"