Chapter 28
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Katie’s grip on the gun tightened, her face twisted with rage as she pointed it at the life–support machine beside Don Colen.
“Don’t come any closer,” she said, her voice low and deadly.
“One move, and I’ll end this.”
Camilla’s heart pounded, her mind racing. She kept her voice steady despite the fear threatening to overwhelm her.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked, her tone edged with desperation. “Haven‘ t you done enough? You already have Jackson and Ridge wrapped around your finger. What else could you want?”
Katie’s lips curled into a cruel smirk.
“What do I want? Power. Control.
Revenge.”
Camilla took a step closer, keeping her movements slow. “Revenge for what?”
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Katie laughed coldly. “You really don’t get it, do you? This isn’t just jealousy, Camilla. This is about what‘ s owed to me.
My father was Don Roberto–the rightful leader of this city. The Bloody Stag was supposed to take over after wiping out the Silver Bullets. But your precious Colen ruined all of that. He destroyed my family, my legacy. Everything.”
Camilla’s chest tightened. Her eyes flicked around the room, searching for something–anything–she could use. Her gaze landed on a small metal tray resting on a nearby counter. Without thinking, she grabbed it and hurled it at Katie.
Katie flinched, instinctively ducking to avoid the tray. It clattered to the floor, and Camilla used the distraction to rush at her. The two collided hard, slamming into the wall.
Katie snarled, her strength catching Camilla off guard as she twisted and shoved back. “You have no idea what
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I’ve lost!” Katie spat. “This city was supposed to be ours! My father would have ruled if it weren’t for Colen!”
“Then maybe you should‘ ve been better.” Camilla shot back, her voice sharp. She grabbed at Katie’s arm, trying to wrest the gun away, but Katie clung to it with desperate strength.
The struggle was frantic, the air filled with sharp grunts and the scuff of shoes against the floor. Katie managed to shove Camilla. off, raising the gun again. Her hand shook, but her voice was steady. “You‘ re pathetic.” Katie hissed. “Blaming me for your failures when you‘ re nothing without him.”
Camilla glared at her, unflinching.
“You‘ re the one clinging to a gun like it’ll solve all your problems. If your father was so powerful, why did Colen beat him? Face it–you‘ re nothing but a coward.”
Katie’s face contorted with fury, and she took aim. “Say that again, and I’ll-”
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The gunshot was deafening. Katie froze, her eyes wide as a red stain blossomed across her chest. For a moment, she
didn’t seem to understand what had
happened. Her grip on the gun loosened, and she stumbled back against the wall.
Camilla turned, her breath catching as Isaac stepped into the doorway, gun still raised. His face was calm but tense.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
Before Camilla could answer, Katie let out a low, guttural growl. She staggered forward, her hand reaching out as if to grab Camilla.
“You won’t… win,” Katie rasped, her voice strained but filled with venom.
Camilla stepped back instinctively, her pulse pounding. Isaac moved toward Katie, but she lunged weakly, trying to grab at him. Her body gave out before she could reach him, collapsing onto the floor. Her chest heaved for a moment before her
movements stilled.
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Camilla didn’t wait to see if Katie was
truly gone. She ran to Don Colen‘ s bedside, dropping to her knees as tears blurred her vision. “Colen… I’m so sorry,” she whispered, clutching his hand.
“I couldn’t stop her sooner.”
She felt it—a faint, almost imperceptible squeeze. Her breath hitched, and she looked up, hope blooming in her chest.
Colen’s eyes fluttered open, his gaze hazy but warm as he looked at her. His voice was
barely above a whisper.
“Camilla…”
A sob escaped her lips as she cradled his hand against her face. “You‘ re awake,” she said, her voice trembling. “You‘ re really awake.”
Don Colen’s weak smile grew, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek. “You… saved me,” he murmured.
Camilla’s tears fell freely now, but they were tears of relief.
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“I thought I lost you,” she whispered.
“You’ll never lose me,” Don Colen said softly, his voice carrying a warmth that wrapped around her like a shield against the chaos they’d just survived. “I’m sorry for making you worry.”
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