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“Ouch,” I winced on his behalf.
The other knife plunged into the center of his back. Duke’s back arched from the impact. His hand reached up, trying to pull the knife from his back as he fell to his knees.
“Kennedy, how can you do this?” Duke yelled.
“Easy, when a woman says she wants out of a relationship because she can’t endure that kind of physical and emotional pain. You should let her go. There are exceptions to this rule. Sometimes you fall in love with a person who would do everything in their power to protect you. And love you unconditionally. Duke, you had the nerve to tell Franco I was a runner.” She slammed her boot into his bloody wound.
“Ah,” he yelped.
“Franco could’ve believed you. Luckily, he didn’t. This man loves me with his entire heart. I also love my husband with my entire heart.”
Kennedy smiled over her shoulder at me. “Baby, he’s all yours.”
The entire time, Clip peered through the rifle scope. He never took his eyes off Duke. He was truly my best friend and a great bodyguard.
Duke finally tore the knife from his face once Kennedy walked away. Blood gushed from the facial wound. I grabbed the knife out of his hand and placed it in Clips.
“We’re going to tie you to a tree. Then I’ll beat your face in.” That same dark demonic laughter that erupted in my chest the night I killed Porter returned.
I was still a dark man. Now I had my dark bride by my side.
“I’m a happy man. I have my wife. Soon we’ll welcome our child into the world.”
Clip swung his rifle strap across his body. The weapon rested on his back. He smiled like he did the day we were in the tunnel as he snatched the knife out of Duke’s back. It was time to relieve my best friend of his duties. I’d promote Saro to take his place. Clip needed a vacation.
I peered at Clip as we tied Duke to the tree. “Tomorrow you’re hopping on the jet. Go find happiness.”
His brows lowered. “Franco, stop talking like that. I’m not going anywhere.”
I met his gaze. “We’re even. I saved you when we were kids, and you saved me in Greece.”
Clips father Renato Barese was abusive. He beat him and his mother Bethany daily. Clip begged me not to tell. But I took a chance and told my dad. He taught Clip’s father a lesson. Clip’s parents divorced after the lesson Dad taught Renato.
Clip became a vibrant person after his father left. His darkness returned when I was kidnapped in Greece. In recent days, it was good to see his eyes light up again.
He shook his head. “That’s not how friendships work. We don’t abandon each other ever.”
My strong hand clapped his shoulder. “Clip, I’d never abandon you. You’re my brother. Please take time off. Come back refreshed. Like I said, in the meantime, Saro will take care of things while you’re away.”
He grumbled under his breath as he took a step back. “Fine,” he growled.
I glared at Duke. “It’s time for you to pay for all the shit you’ve put me through lately.”
Duke snarled. “Quinn’s really your friend, huh? I just knew once he had the money in his hand, he’d kill you. But now that I know he’s a Carter. It makes more sense.”
“Some people are loyal, asshole!” I growled.
He shook his head. “Lungy was such a fuck up. And Orazio was a coward. He was afraid to go up against you.”
I was so tired of the bullshit he spewed.
My fist met his jaw. “Orazio understood the strength of the DeLucas’. He didn’t want that kind of trouble. He and I are in a good place.”
I punched him in his bloody nose. Then I slammed my fist into his eye. “Your jealousy got the best of you. What did you hate about me the most?”
“You’re fucking arrogance,” he roared, spitting blood in my face.His voice echoed around me.
Red flashed before my eyes. “You almost killed Kennedy in your haste.” My fists continued raining down on his face.
