The Mafia's Undoing-Chapter 146: The Final Straw

I raced to Columbia Hospital at full speed, running through red lights without caring about the consequences.

"Lord, please let him be alive... please... please."

I kept repeating it like it was a mantra, that the prayer would somehow protect my brother.

My mind couldn’t comprehend that Elliot was shot and in critical condition.

This was happening all over again because of Tony’s world.

I reached the hospital emergency entrance, and it was in chaos. There were ambulances and people everywhere.

I could see that Tony was already here. He was pacing in the waiting room, his face looking white and terrified.

"What happened?" I demanded.

"I don’t know, the Police are still investigating. He’s in surgery."

"How bad is it?"

"It’s a gunshot wound. That’s all they told me."

I couldn’t breathe as I was still struggling to process all this.

Elliot, my baby brother. The only family I had before Tony.

Now shot because of me.

Because I loved the wrong man.

The hours passed, and it was endless and agonizing for me.

Susan arrived. Then Thomas, Bella, David, and Luca came.

Everyone was here for Elliot.

But I couldn’t stop shaking, stop my mind from spiraling that Elliot could be dying on an operating table.

His brain could be damaged, or worse still, he’d never remain the same.

Elliot-

Tony tried to hold me. "Katherine-"

I pulled away. "Don’t."

And I could see the hurt flash in his eyes, but I can’t give him that right now.

If Elliot dies because of Tony’s world, I’ll never forgive him.

Never forgive myself. I know I shouldn’t blame him, but I just can’t help myself right now with all the emotions I’m feeling.

The surgeon finally emerged, and we all stood, waiting and dreading the news.

"Mr. Blaire is stable. The surgery was successful. We’ve managed to remove the bullet from his shoulder. There were no vital organs hit; he’s an incredibly lucky guy."

Relief flooded through me so powerfully that I almost collapsed.

"Can I see him?"

"He’s still in recovery. Unconscious but stable, but yes, you can see him in a few minutes."

I was crying and felt Susan holding me. "He’s okay. He’s going to be okay."

But the relief was temporary because I knew deep down that this was going to happen again and again... as long as I was with Tony.

They let me in first. Just me alone.

Elliot was unconscious. I could hear the machines beeping steadily, and bandages covering his shoulder.

My baby brother, just turning twenty-one years old, was brilliant, kind, and innocent.

Almost getting killed again, for what he absolutely knew nothing about.

I held his hand with mine. "I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry."

This was my fault. I thought to myself, all of it.

I chose Tony. I stayed despite the danger, and now, Elliot had to pay the price.

A detective arrived later. He was middle-aged and was sympathetic.

"Ms. Blaire, I’m Detective Delgado. We need to ask some questions."

"What happened?"

"Mr. Blaire was leaving the library approximately 8 PM. An assailant approached him from behind. It was a single gunshot. They fled immediately before witnesses could identify them."

"Did you catch them?"

"Not yet. But we recovered the bullet and are running ballistics now."

"Why would someone shoot Elliot? He’s a student, he doesn’t have enemies."

The detective hesitated. "Actually, we have reason to believe this might be connected to your relationship with Anthony Marvin."

Tony entered the room. "What do you mean?"

"The assailant left a message, which was spray-painted on the library wall, stating: Marvin’s son will pay for his father’s sins."

I felt ice through my bones.

Marvin. Tony’s father. Thomas Marvin, who built an empire on violence and crime, continued the family’s legacy.

The sins of the past were still haunting us.

"This is about you," I said, my voice sounding hollow. "Someone from your father’s past or family’s past, whatever. They’re targeting Elliot to hurt us."

"We don’t know that-" Tony starts.

"Don’t we?" I stared at the detective. "The message is clear. The Marvin family’s enemies are coming for us. Still."

The FBI’s called in with Timothy arriving within the hour.

"The Marvin family had hundreds of enemies over the decades," he explained. "Anyone of them could be seeking revenge."

"After two years of Tony being legitimate?" Susan asks.

"Revenge is patient, and the Marvin empire’s crimes were extensive. This could be someone who waited years for the right moment."

They’re investigating, cross-referencing old enemies, and searching for the shooter.

But I knew deep down that this was not going to end anytime soon.

As long as I was with Tony, his past would keep coming back.

And everyone I love will pay the price.

The next morning, Elliot woke.

"Katherine?" His voice was weak and groggy from the anesthesia.

"I’m here, alright. You’re okay, and you’re safe."

"What happened?"

"You were shot, but you’re going to be fine. The surgery was successful."

"Who shot me?"

The silence that hung between us was damning.

Then Tony spoke from the doorway. "We don’t know yet, but we’ll find them soon. They’re still investigating."

Elliot looked at me, then glanced at Tony. His analytical mind was piecing it together.

"This is because of him, right? Because of Tony’s family background."

I couldn’t lie to my brother, so I nodded. "We think so. Yes."

Elliot was quiet, indicating that he was processing our response. That brilliant mind of his was working despite the pain medication. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"I see. Another consequence of your relationship with Mr. Marvin."

"Elliot-" Tony starts.

"How many times, Katherine?" Elliot interrupted and looked directly at me. "How many times will I be endangered because you love him?"

The question devastated me. "I don’t know."

"Then perhaps you should reconsider this relationship. Statistically, I’m likely to be targeted again. Next time, I might not survive. The assailant’s aim could be better, the injury more severe, and the outcome fatal."

He was right, and we both knew it.

"I understand," I whispered.

Tony’s face crumbled. "Katherine, please-"

But I couldn’t look at him right now. I could only see my brother, bandaged, injured, and almost killed.

Only because I fell in love with the wrong man.