Chapter 62: 360 No Scope

[Luna’s POV]

[10 Minutes Ago]

I adjust my stolen staff credentials, humming a little tune as I climb the metal stairs to the roof access. The case swings heavy in my grip, but I handle it easily. Nobody questions uniforms. Why would they?

“This is going to be beautiful,” I whisper to myself, unable to contain my excitement.

The stairwell is empty, just as my contact promised. The cameras are all disabled. I take my time, savoring each step toward my destination. The distant roar of engines and crowd cheers filters through the concrete walls, growing louder as I approach the roof.

“The Queen Caterina,” I mock in a sing-song voice, “with all her power and money, fixing races for her precious cousin.”

I giggle, the sound echoing in the stairwell. The thought of Caterina’s face when she realizes what’s happening, it makes me feel horny.

“All that work,” I continue, talking to myself as I climb, “bribing drivers, sabotaging an engine, just to give her cousin one good victory.”

I reach the roof access door and set down my case to fish out the key I was provided. The lock clicks open smoothly.

“And now I get to immortalize her with one perfect shot.”

‘This bitch should be thanking me. She’s about to become a legend.’

The sunlight hits me as I step onto the roof, momentarily blinding after the dim stairwell. I shield my eyes, taking in my surroundings. Perfect. Just as described, an unobstructed view of the podium, no security in sight, and enough distance that the shot won’t be immediately traceable.

I set the case down and pop it open, my fingers moving quickly but carefully as I assemble the rifle. Each piece clicks into place with satisfying precision. I’ve always enjoyed this part, the calm before the storm, the preparation, the anticipation.

“Isabella will be so pleased,” I murmur, attaching the scope. “Taking out Valentina right as she celebrates... it’s poetic, really.”

The walkie-talkie at my hip crackles to life, startling me from my focus. I grab it with my free hand, keeping the other steady on the rifle.

“Qué pasa?” I snap, annoyed at the interruption when I’m this close to taking my shot.

“Boss, you won’t fucking believe this,” Mia’s excited voice comes through the static. “Adam is in the men’s room. Completely alone.”

I freeze, my finger hovering over the trigger. “De Luca’s pet?”

“Sí, boss. We’ve already secured the VIP lounge from the outside. Electronic locks engaged. They’re not kicking those doors down, period.”

A slow smile spreads across my face as I lower the rifle slightly. This is too perfect. Two birds, one stone.

“That’s much easier than our original plan to kidnap her man,” I laugh, the sound bubbling up from deep in my chest. “I’ll grab him myself. After I put down the goomba.

“Sounds good, boss,” Mia responds. “We’ve cleared your path to the bathroom. No witnesses.”

I feel my lips curve into a smile as I watch Valentina De Luca stand triumphant on the podium, bathed in the adoration of thousands. The Italian anthem swells through the air, a soundtrack for what comes next. Through my scope, I can see every detail, her flushed face, her crimson eyes bright with victory, her hands clutching that gaudy trophy like it’s the Holy Grail.

I steady my breathing, feeling time slow down as I center my crosshairs directly between her eyes. One heartbeat. Two heartbeats. The anthem reaches its crescendo.

I squeeze the trigger.

The rifle kicks against my shoulder as Valentina’s head snaps back, a beautiful red cloud blooming behind her like some exotic flower. The trophy tumbles from her hands as she crumples to the podium floor.

“That was fucking perfection.” I breathe, a wave of euphoria washing over me that’s better than any drug.

The stadium erupts in screams, but they sound distant and unimportant. I quickly disassemble my rifle, my movements fluid and practiced despite the adrenaline coursing through my veins. My hands don’t shake, they never do after a kill.

“One De Luca down,” I whisper as I pack away my equipment. “One to go.”

I grab my walkie-talkie, pressing it to my lips. “Pizza delivered. Moving to Collect the package.”

‘I gotta dump these clothes.’

*****

[Adam’s POV]

Two minutes have passed. And another two. And yet another two. The restroom door hasn’t opened once. Caterina should have been here by now.

“Maybe she got held up?” I mutter to myself, shifting uncomfortably as I lean against the sink.

The drugs in my system make it hard to feel truly concerned, but a small voice in the back of my head nags that something isn’t right. Caterina is never late. Especially not when I’m involved.

I push myself away from the sink, deciding to head back to the viewing box. Maybe I misunderstood. Maybe she meant a different bathroom. As I reach for the door handle with my elbows, it swings open, and I step back, expecting to see Caterina’s perfect face.

Instead, I find myself staring at Luna Cruz’s wild grin.

“Hola, guapo,” she purrs, her green eyes gleaming with something that makes my blood run cold despite the drugs. “Fancy meeting you here.”

I take an instinctive step backward, my damaged hands coming up in a pathetic attempt at self-defense. “What are you doing in the men’s room?”

Luna laughs, the sound bouncing off the tiled walls as she steps fully inside, letting the door swing shut behind her. Her bright Hawaiian shirt seems even more gaudy under the fluorescent lights.

“Oh, Adam,” she sighs, shaking her head like I’ve said something adorably naive. “I’m here for you, of course.”

Before I can process what’s happening, the bathroom door opens again. Two women in staff uniforms enter, their faces hard and expressionless. They flank Luna like well-trained dogs, their eyes scanning me with professional assessment.

“What’s going on?” I ask, my voice embarrassingly shaky. “Where’s Caterina?”

Luna’s smile widens, showing too many teeth. “Caterina is... indisposed at the moment. Probably dealing with a family emergency.”

The way she says “family emergency” sends ice through my veins, cutting through the drug-induced haze. Something terrible has happened.

“What did you do?” I whisper, backing up until I hit the wall. The cold tile presses against my back as Luna advances.

“Me? Nothing much,” she replies with a casual shrug. “Just put a bullet through her cousin’s brain during the national anthem. Very patriotic, don’t you think?”

The words hit me like a bucket of ice water, cutting through my drug-induced fog in an instant. My knees nearly buckle beneath me as the implication sinks in.

“Valentina?” I whisper, my voice sounding distant even to my own ears. “You... killed Valentina?”

Luna tilts her head, studying me with predatory curiosity. “Of course. One less De Luca in the world.” She shrugs like she’s discussing the weather, not a cold-blooded murder. “Nothing personal against her specifically. I just want Caterina to hurt.”

Something primal surges inside me, panic, fear, rage, and before I can think it through, I lunge toward the door, desperate to get past her. My damaged hands are useless for fighting, but maybe I can just push through, find Caterina, warn her that she might be next.

I don’t make it two steps.

Luna’s hand shoots out, tangling in my hair with frightening ease. She yanks back hard, forcing my head up and exposing my throat. The collar around my neck suddenly feels like it’s choking me.

“Look at you,” she laughs, her green eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. “Trying to run with those pathetic hands.” She twists my hair, sending sharp pain across my scalp. “Caterina really did a number on you, didn’t she? Broke your hands so badly you can’t even make a proper fist.”

I struggle against her grip, but it’s futile. The drugs still flowing through my system make my movements sluggish and uncoordinated. Luna holds me in place with insulting ease, like I’m no more threatening than a kitten.

“What... what do you want with me?” I gasp, trying to steady myself against the sink with my elbow.

Luna’s smile widens, her eyes dancing with malicious delight. “Oh, I have so many ideas for you, Adam. So many wonderful, terrible ideas.” She looks past me to her two silent companions. “Knock him out. We’re getting the fuck out of here while everyone’s still panicking about the assassination.”

“NO!” I scream, raw terror finally breaking through the drug haze. “CATERINA WILL HUNT YOU DOWN!” My voice echoes off the bathroom tiles as I thrash against Luna’s grip. “SHE’LL FUCKING KILL YOU FOR THIS!”

Luna’s laughter cuts through my panicked screams, her green eyes gleaming with psychotic delight. She yanks my hair harder, forcing me to look directly into her face.

“I’m counting on it, gringo,” she purrs, her accent thickening with excitement. “That’s the whole fucking point.”

One of her goons steps forward, a syringe appearing in her hand as if by magic. I struggle harder, desperation giving me strength I didn’t know I had.

“She’ll find me!” I shout, my voice cracking. “She always finds what belongs to her!”

“Good,” Luna hisses, her breath hot against my face.

The needle plunges into my neck before I can respond, a burning sensation spreading outward from the injection site. The bathroom begins to spin around me, Luna’s wild grin multiplying and blurring before my eyes.

“When she finds what’s left of you,” Luna’s voice seems to come from everywhere at once, “she’ll understand what real pain feels like.”

A/N: Luna, but she had on a disguise. But you get the idea.