Chapter 39: Lucio's Revenge

The master raised his hand, silencing the frantic whispers around him. His voice was smooth, and calculated.

"I have this precious girl with me. As long as our bait is alive, no one needs to get hurt." Lucio Hernandez smirked. "And besides, this is the perfect time for the Dragons to crush the Alphas once and for all. No one is leaving."

"You're a horrible person," Marie spat but Lucio ignored her.

The rhythmic click of their boots echoed down the cemented hallways as they moved closer to the gunfire outside. Suddenly, a sound split through the chaos. It was a manic laugh, biting through their ears as it rippled through the air, high and sharp, witch-like in its glee.

Tiffany's voice followed, amplified through a megaphone.

"Lucio Hernandez," she sang, dragging out his name. "Do you want to play with me?"

Lucio automatically slowed his steps.

"Well then," Tiffany continued, "let's go. But release my cute little friend first."

Lucio chuckled darkly. His voice boomed through the empty halls. "Steffy," he called, "come and claim your friend while she's still breathing."

He silently signaled his men forward.

"No! Steffy, don't come here!" Marie screamed, thrashing against Lucio's grip.

"Shut up, dyke!" Charlotte snapped, jamming a gun against her ribs.

Steffy's voice returned, still in her teasing tone. "Meet me at the school plaza, Teacher Greg…" she paused, then purred, "or should I say… Lucio Hernandez?"

The Dragons moved toward the plaza, dragging Marie along. Lucio lifted the megaphone again. "Oh, Steffy," he cooed mockingly, "don't do anything stupid, my love. You don't want to get your friend hurt again, do you?"

A chuckle crackled through the megaphone.

"You sound so adorable, Teacher Greg," Steffy teased. "Though I can't clearly hear your voice from where I'm standing… I still feel a little horny."

Lucio's grip on Marie tightened upon hearing that.

"I must say, we did enjoy ourselves, right, Steffy?" Ignoring Charlotte's subtle annoyance.

"Yes," Steffy agreed. "And I must say… I almost fell in love."

Lucio could see her now. Across the plaza, Steffy stood with George in front of her, his gun drawn, his stance firm. Charlotte scowled, her eyes darting to Steffy's outfit—a cropped top, mini skirt, and heavy makeup. "Pathetic," she spat bitterly.

"I believe you have something of mine, Steffy."

"Did I take something from you? I don't remember."

Lucio's expression stiffened. "Give it back!"

"Oh, right!" Steffy said, twirling the key between her fingers. "I stole this when I had a sleepover at your fancy farmhouse."

Charlotte gasped. "What?!" she screeched. "You never invited me to your farmhouse, but you invited her?!"

Lucio ignored her again. Now was not the time for her petty jealousy.

"Now we're even, Lucio. Let's trade—the key for Marie."

This time, Lucio took a step forward, fully aware of George lifting his gun toward him.

Lucio grinned at the man. "Do you remember me? My, my. You've grown so… old. I almost didn't recognize you when I saw you in the car. But then again, how can I ever forget that face?"

"What are you talking about? If this is your way of distracting me—"

Lucio tilted his head. "Distracting you?" he replied with a menacing chuckle. "Oh, I don't know much about you," he mused. "But I do remember being a little boy when a certain man killed my mother, father, and brother."

George's blood instantly ran cold.

"And that man," he whispered, "was you."

Silence clamped down.

"You had your fun, old man." His voice was deadly quiet. "Now it's time for you to go to hell."

"Don't even think about it," Steffy warned.

But Lucio ignored her. He moved fast, slamming his fist into George's stomach. The old man grunted, dropping to his knees. Lucio followed with a brutal elbow to his back. George collapsed onto the grass.

Lucio lifted his gun, aiming it at George's head.

All around them, guns cocked, pointed at Steffy.

Lucio grinned. "Steffy, drop the gun or your loyalist dies. And your best friend, too."

"You're not gonna do that."

But Lucio's grin faded as she stared at her darkly. "I mean it, Steffy. Drop your gun or both of them die."

He fired a warning shot near George's head.

Steffy flinched. "Alright!" she snapped. "I'll drop the gun. See?"

She slowly lowered her weapon, emptied the bullets, and kicked it toward them. Lucio signaled his men to seize her.

"Now, let them go."

Lucio sighed dramatically. "You're such an obedient girl, Steffy," he said, smirking.

"But, you know… debts need to be paid."

Without hesitation, Lucio pulled the trigger and a gunshot ripped through the air. George's skull exploded. His body crumpled onto the dirt. He pulled the trigger over and over again until he ran out of bullets.

Steffy's scream tore through the night but Lucio did not hear it. He only remembered the ghosts of his family nodding at him and waving him goodbye.