The De Luca Heir

8: Bloodlines and betrayal

“Dad!” Anthony yelled, struggling against Victor’s iron grip. His father lay crumpled on the ground, blood pooling beneath him, but his hand twitched as he tried to push himself up.

Felix’s laughter cut through the tension, sharp and mocking. “Touching, really. But this is just the beginning, Anthony. You’re not ready for the weight of that crown.” He waved the detonator for emphasis. “You think you’ve won, but I always have the upper hand.”

Anthony’s vision blurred with rage. “You’ll regret this, Felix.”

Felix smirked, stepping back toward his car. “Oh, I don’t think I will. But feel free to try.”

Before Anthony could break free, Victor snapped him back to reality. “Focus! He’s not out of reach yet.”

Jake appeared at their side, weapon ready. “What’s the call, boss? Do we take him out or save your old man?”

Anthony’s gaze darted between Felix retreating toward his SUV and his father gasping for breath on the cold concrete. Every fiber of his being screamed for vengeance, but the flicker of life in his father’s eyes tethered him.

“Victor, cover me!” Anthony ordered, shoving the pistol into Jake’s hand. “You two handle Felix—don’t let him get away. I’ll deal with my father.”

Victor nodded sharply. “You heard him, Jake. Move!” The two men sprinted toward Felix, bullets flying as they tried to close the distance.

Anthony dropped to his knees beside his father, his hands shaking as he pressed against the wound. “You’re going to be fine. Just stay with me.”

His father’s lips curled into a weak smirk. “I know, son. I'm a bad grass.”

“Shut up!” Anthony growled, pressing harder. 

“Always so stubborn.” his father rasped, coughing up blood. “Just like your mother.”

Anthony’s stomach twisted. “Save your breath. We’ll talk about her later, when you’re out of here.”

Anthony turned slightly, catching the glint of metal near the wrecked black car. Felix’s men had planted more explosives.

“Damn it!” Anthony cursed under his breath, realizing the detonator Felix held wasn’t just for show. The entire area was a death trap.

His father grabbed his wrist, his grip surprisingly strong. “This family... this legacy... it’s yours now. Protect it... or destroy it. But don’t... let it control you.”

Anthony shook his head. “Yes, and we are in this together. Just stay here.”

A loud explosion rocked the garage as one of Felix’s SUVs went up in flames. Victor and Jake had managed to stop his escape, but the chaos drew closer. Felix’s laughter echoed again, this time more frantic, as he disappeared into the smoke.

Victor’s voice rang out. “Anthony! We’ve got to move!”

Anthony looked back down at his father and helped him.

Victor appeared, grabbing his shoulder. “Anthony, now! The car’s rigged!”

Anthony stood, the weight of his father pressing on him. He let Victor carry him away, but as they ran, something shifted in him—a fire ignited by loss and betrayal.

When they reached the exit, Jake was already there, panting but grinning. “Felix is gone, but he won’t get far. We left him a little surprise.”

Anthony nodded, his face unreadable. “Good. He’ll pay for everything.”

Victor watched him carefully. “You’re in charge now. What’s the move?”

Anthony turned to face the smoldering wreckage, the echoes of his father’s final words ringing in his ears. “We rebuild. And we strike back.”

The air hung heavy with the promise of vengeance as Anthony clenched his fists, his mind already racing with plans. Felix thought he’d won, but he’d just unleashed something far more dangerous: a man with nothing left to lose.

As Anthony stepped out into the night, a sleek black sedan pulled up. The window rolled down to reveal an older man with piercing eyes and a knowing smile.

“You’ve got your father’s fire.” the man said, his voice smooth. “Now let’s see if you’ve got his brains. Get in—we’ve got work to do.”