Chapter 39: anything

RAVEN

This is it. Today’s the day we end Cain’s life.

I had to do a lot of research in order to fulfill this. I know going into this that Cain won’t submit easily. I can’t be stupid and go in guns blazing because Cain has far too much experience with things like that. He has men that would still jump in front of a bullet for him.

It took me a while, but I figured out something that I think will work. There are only two things I wanted to make sure of when I concocted a plan—firstly, I needed to take him by surprise and catch him off guard, and second, he deserves to die in a way that is slow and makes him feel absolutely powerless.

I told Luca explicitly of my plan because he requested it. In all honesty, I expected him to want to alter pieces of it, or that he would pick it apart to inform me of parts that he worried were weak. However, he did none of that. He sat quietly and listened intently as I explained all of it, down to every last detail. He occasionally asked questions or for further description, but he seemed like he was okay with what I’d figured out.

I know he’s worried. Worried about my safety, about people discovering what we’re about to do, of the repercussions of murdering Cain, of how Dove might react. I get it. I’m concerned about those things too, but I truly believe we don’t have any other option. Cain is a danger to everyone and this is the only way to stop someone like him.

If we got him sent to jail, he’d buy his way out. If we crumbled his empire to ash—which, it’s almost at that point anyways—he still has money and influence and can harm other people. There’s no point talking or trying to discuss anything with him either to try and change his mind. The only way to stop him is to stop his fucking heart.

I think Luca realizes this too and it’s probably a large reason why he’s even doing this with me. After everything he’s ever said to me, I’m pleased but shocked that he’s actually going along with my madness. Everything he’s ever done since he walked into my life has been done to protect me so I wasn’t sure he’d cave and allow me to be the literal hand that will end Cain’s life.

My father’s life.

I’m still trying to wrap my head around that fact. However, I don’t give a shit what some blood test and paperwork might say, he isn’t my dad. I had a loving, caring, supportive dad that loved me for exactly who I am. Who encouraged me to be me. He was my father, not Cain.

Maybe that’s what makes this feel slightly easier to me. I don’t see him as my family because he isn’t. He isn’t someone I love and who loves me. Unlike Dove, I see the evil in him. I’m not blind to how darkened his soul is. There is no redeeming Cain Brooks. He’s too far gone.

It took a ton of research, but eventually I was able to find a poison. Considering he poisoned Dove and her unborn baby, I think it’s fitting. The type I chose is different from his because the poison I selected will only completely paralyze him. He’ll be able to speak, but he’ll be physically unable to move.

Not only will it feel incredible to see him so powerless, but it’s one of the safest ways for me to get up close and personal with him. If I tried to get close, I’m positive he’d figure out a way to overpower me. This way, I can sneak the substance into something he consumes and then wait until most—if not all—of his staff has left and Luca and I can do what needs to be done.

I expected that I would be more nervous about all of this. Perhaps it’s because I have Luca at my side. He makes me feel like I can do anything, in all honesty. Inside my blood and in the marrow of my bones and the networking of tendons within my body, I know this is the right thing to do.

“Are you sure you want to do it this way? Tonight?” Luca takes my hands in his, stroking his thumb over the back of one in a soothing gesture.

I nod, “This needs to be done. I don’t have a choice. We don’t.”

“There’s always a choice, my love. Always.”

“Not with this,” I try to convince him. I know exactly what he’s thinking—he’s still hung up on the idea of me doing the worst of it today. He’d much rather do this by himself so my hands would be washed clean of it. That’s the other choice in his mind, but I won’t allow him to shoulder all this burden.

Not when he’s already done so with everything else thus far. We’re a team and we should both have to do things that we aren’t necessarily comfortable with. One person shouldn’t have to face all the darkness alone. It simply isn’t fair.

I can do this. I know I can. I’m glad he’s giving me the opportunity to do it, as fucked up as what I’m about to do is.

“You’re sure you’re alright with this?” I can hear the concern laced in his voice and it makes my heart swell. He loves me so much that I almost don’t know what to do with myself. I’ve honestly never had a man in my life that treats me like he does and it’s uncharted territory for me.

“Yes. For all of us, yes.”

“Everything will be alright.” I meet his eyes and the nerves wash away. His eyes are like home to me—they’ve been one of the only constants in my life as of late. When he promises that it’ll be okay—that we’ll survive this—I believe him. I really and truly do.

After a beat, he adds, “Remember that freedom isn’t given, Moonlight. It’s taken.”

He’s right. Freedom is something to fight for.

And so is he.

“You ready?” He inquires, glancing towards Cain’s closed office doors.

“Yeah,” I confirm weakly, nodding my head.

I want to do this as fast as possible. Get it started quickly because the poison won’t take long to affect Cain. I managed to sneak it into his after dinner coffee and I can’t be positive how long its effects will last.

Which, trust me, took a hell of a lot of carefulness and discreetness. I had to do so in such a manner to avoid all of the wandering eyes around the table. Anyone who’s ever been to one of our dinners knows that’s a feat because it isn’t just family, it’s the staff too.