Cara’s POV
“This isn’t what we agreed on.”
Unfortunately, that wasn’t me but Sarah, yet it was exactly what I had in mind.
Luca becoming Capo?
“I pondered over it and decided it was best mama. It’ll be easier that way.” Tina replied.
“That sounds all shades of wrong. Why would you want to crown him instead of Adonis?” I turned to the man himself.
“Do you want to be Capo?”
He shrugged.
Like, actually moved his shoulder with an indifferent expression.
Nothing was nonchalant about this issue!
“I see no reason why.”
My mouth fell open.
“You see no reason-Luca, this is a position that is meant for Adonis. Your friend. Your brother! And you want to snatch it away from him.”
“You know why. It’s better that way.”
“It is not! No one knows about it. Everything would be fine if the four of us in this room kept our mouths shut. What’s so hard about that?”
“The mafia isn’t as simple as you think, Cara.” His face hardened. “A secret isn’t a secret if it is beyond two persons. Do you want to wait till we can no longer control it? It’s best to curb it now and fix the loose ends.”
I couldn’t believe him.
Curb what?
Do they think I’m blind to their schemes? This wasn’t for the family; it was for their gain, and the one person who should be on my side was the one against me.
I felt exhausted. Tired. Frustrated. I wanted to cry. Or maybe to run and hide. The one thing Adonis wanted to protect… that caused the action that led to his comatose state… it was going to be futile. And I can’t do a thing about it.
I’d never felt so helpless. Still, I was willing to fight through it all.
“Just if the men agree to do away with Adonis. Why do you think they’ll support you?”
“Well, for one, he’s the next best candidate after Adonis.” Tina caressed his cheeks lovingly. “Luca has given his entire life for this family. Who else deserves it? I can also rule by his side. Such perfect solution!”
“That is beside the point. Do not forget that I am also a member of this family.” He defended.
I exhaled deeply, not knowing how to reply.
He was right. Everyone in the family was biologically related in one way or another. Those who weren’t were the ones brought in during raids, and they had an initiation ritual to make them a part of the family as soon as they were brought in.
It was taking a lot of strength, which I didn’t even have, to keep myself from panicking.
This wasn’t Sarah or Augustina. It was Luca. The worry that it might work out caused my emotions to be in a frenzied state.
Desperation flashed in my eyes. Having no other choice, I folded my two hands into a clap.
“Please, Luca. Don’t do this.”
He raised his nose like I was beneath him.
“We’ve concluded.”
Struggling with myself to rein in the outburst that threatened to pull out from my chest, I pursed my lips together.
“There’s really nothing I can do?”
They all met my question with a blank stare. Sarah looked like she wasn’t in full support but as long as the throne came over to her side, she was fine.
I nodded in acceptance.
“Fine. Do what you want. Just promise me two things: let the secret stay between us. I want him to step back with honour.”
Luca gave a small tilt of his head in reply.
“And the second one?”
“Don’t take anything but the crown. Let him be awake to give away whatever next thing you want.”
“That’s impossible.”
A wave of dread washed over me.
“What are you saying? Do you want to take away all he has, too? The properties? That’s unfair. Be reminded that Nonno Dimitri knew. Adonis’s father knew, yet they left it all to him. You have no right to take them.”
“I don’t care. They belong to the Bernardis and he’s not one. You both have a week to move out of the mansion.” Luca announced grimly.
My stomach dropped. My lips wobbled.
“Mo… move out? Why?”
“He’s a Greco.”
I paused.
Was that supposed to count as something? Because it didn’t.
“And so is Tina.”
“But she’s with me. No?”
“Hence she gets a free pass? I do not understand.”
Luca looked me over with a look that said, ‘What do you not understand?’
“He can’t leave here. Where do you expect me to go with him? You’re kicking us out.”
Okay, I was beginning to panic.
If it was just me, I could survive. Finding a small apartment to live in would be possible, as well as living a standard life; I had saved up a substantial amount of the money Adonis had paid me. But taking him with me in his unconscious state would mean quick depletion of the funds.
I’d have to get nurses, a more comfortable apartment, and medical bills… even with what I deemed as much, the most it could last us was a year-not that I wished him to remain unconscious for that long, but I had to be logical.
I also had an unborn child to look after.
“Adonis has several apartments. You’re free to keep all he acquired himself, but you will have no ties with the family.”
My mind kept screaming one thing.
How did we get here?
From a comatose husband to getting to know my biological father to Luca becoming distant and then abandoning Cecelia; now to wanting the throne and sending us packing?
This wasn’t making any sense to me.
I shook my head in disagreement.
“This is his home.” My voice was barely above a whisper. “I wouldn’t want him to wake up to such a reality.”
Tina snorted.
“Once again. If he ever does.”
“Augustina! Must you be so childish?” Her mother scolded, but I couldn’t be bothered to give a response. My pleading eyes found Luca’s blank ones.
“There’s nothing more I can do. He’s not in a good state to take care of them. We can’t leave them on your hands.” Luca finally admitted.
I smiled sadly.
I was the only one with a morally sound relationship in this mansion; notwithstanding, I’ve been labelled as a gold-digging woman. I glanced at Luca.
The things he’d done and said today were hurtful. Painful even, and although hard to comprehend and fathom, I don’t think I want to…
“Is the issue about him not being a Bernardi or about me being in charge of them all?”
I stared at him, waiting for a reply, but he only reciprocated.
A sound similar to both a hum and a sigh flew out of my lips. I turned back towards the desk to pick up my things.
Arguing or pleading wasn’t going to solve anything. I’d have to take matters into my own hands.
“Fine. I’ll do whatever you want, but I’d like to adjust the conditions. The first one remains the same. The second one… I’ll go instead of the both of us.”
“You’re going to abandon your husband, dearest?” Tina joked.
“Isn’t that what you guys wanted? Adonis would stay back and continue to get the best care. When he wakes up, he can decide to leave. I don’t want to take that decision into my hands.”
My gaze intently focused on the people in front of me as I waited for even the slightest twitch of their fingers. I gauged their reaction-that would be the only clue I had to know what they were up to.
Making myself the sacrifice wasn’t ideal, yet I’d do it all over again. My mind was resolute: Adonis needed to be here to take back his position.
There was no way he could do that outside the mansion-that would just be the start of another long and stressful plan.
For now, I would go to my father’s and wait. I wasn’t in a haste to make any move.
You can only make a move if you know what to move for.
“I do agree. If Cara’s not here, there’s no one to threaten the crown.” Sarah spoke up, earning a sound of concur from her daughter.
“Me too.”
My gaze darted to Luca alone this time. The ball was in his cot. Whatever he says will determine what I’ll do.
I held my breath in anticipation.
“Okay.”
A whoosh of air rushed out of my throat.
“The last time I saw Dr. Bruno, he said Adonis’s brain activity had picked up, and he was liable to wake up anytime soon, so I doubt he’d be here long. I beg you to keep your word. I’ll be on my way.”
And with one last long look at Luca, I exited the study to get my things.
If they thought I’d just wait like a helpless damsel, they were wrong.
My eyes were practically drifting closed every five minutes, and I felt extremely exhausted as I packed all my belongings.
Done with the packing, I walked over to a pale-looking Adonis and placed a soft kiss on his dry lips.
“I’m leaving. You would come for me.”
It wasn’t a statement or command. It was a fact. I felt no hint of doubt or worry at that.
My husband was a lot of things but patient.
A lump formed in my throat, and for a second, I wished he’d just open his eyes at that moment and stop all this madness.
I’d miss him and the place I’ve grown to know as my home. My hand found my bump and I made a silent promise to keep our child safe.
Then I turned towards the door of our room, whipping out my phone to make a call.
As usual, it was answered on the first ring.
“Mi carazon (my dear).”
A deep, hard voice filled my ears, and I stepped into the elevator with determined eyes.
“Father. I am coming home.”