“Sebastien again? Why didn’t you do anything about it then?”
Miguel shrugged, pouring himself another drink.
“Because I wasn’t sure. He was yet to show his true colours, so I couldn’t follow up my suspicions.”
“What makes you so sure now?”
“The truth.”
What truth again?
Maybe I should take him up on his offer to sit after all. So, without asking for permission, I picked up the second glass that was brought in for me when I came in and poured myself a shot, too.
He eyed me with a small smile.
“I thought you said you were fine.”
I threw it back at once, pouring another that I took with me to my seat.
“That was until I heard all these. You’re yet to answer my question. How sure are you?”
“You told me you suspected that Antonio knew of my daughter’s Spanish roots. Turns out his father had once given him a clue, but he wasn’t broad-minded and only saw the close-up, not the whole picture. Sebastian wasn’t trying to tell him to come after my throne. Mine and Dimitri’s is just a step in their plan.”
“Their plan?”
“Yes, and I do not mean the Grecos alone. They plan to unite all the mafia as one. The order crumbled because they were five, so the new belief was: one leader, one family.”
I swirled the drink in my hand.
“But Antonio wanted the throne.”
“Like I said, small-minded. Sebastian’s goal was all five of them. People like Natasha’s father also believed in their dream, so he joined hands.”
I couldn’t relate to their stupidity.
“Are they dumb? Two people cannot be king at the same time-
-whoever said they wanted to be Kings. They are just Salvatore’s underlings. He’s the one in charge.”
The glass in my hand fell to the ground.
“Salvatore’s alive?”
“No. His son is. And he’s back for revenge. I found out three weeks ago, and that’s why I stepped out from the shadows. I never stopped searching like the rest, so when the news came, it wasn’t too much of a shock.”
“How did you know all these? You couldn’t have known without being told. What connected the dots?
A snarl contorted his face.
“Alvaro.”
Now this was unbelievable.
“Your trusted attendant?”
“He wasn’t as loyal as I thought. We had found the shipments before he called. I was surprised that he claimed you were the one. I knew the Italian mafia was involved, but I also knew Dimitri would never train you guys to go against me. Something felt off.”
“But you played along?”
Miguel hummed.
“I wanted to see where he’d end with the story. What exposed him was the story of finding the ring at the place where the shipment was stolen.”
My eyes darted around.
How come I hadn’t noticed that he wasn’t here when he was always up in one’s face? I must have been so anxious to get answers.
“Where is he now?”
Miguel gave me a smile that looked too evil to be called one.
“I sent him back home immediately after you all left yesterday. My men should be explaining the error of his ways to him. Ah!” He sighed dramatically. “Did I mention that he was the one who had been paying my cousin to keep Cara? Sabestien’s sons must have found out after he came out of hiding and decided to join hands with Alvaro.”
I took in everything he had revealed; it all made sense now. The revelations should mark the end of everything, but it was just the beginning.
“So the threat isn’t from Adonis’s mother and Tina, but from Salvatore’s son?”
“If Tina was on the Greco’s side and they supported him, who do you think she’d support now?”
I scoffed.
“Same person?”
“Exactly. However, at this stage, they’ll be as dumb as the rest of their relatives, so we needn’t bother about them. Our main focus should be Salvatore’s son.”
We were getting to the main point. This wasn’t about Adonis’s position being troubled but the mafia in general.
We had to make a move. Quickly and silently. Adonis wasn’t available, so I had to step up.
I sat upright.
“What do you want me to do?
Miguel grumbled.
“If you’re going to work with me, you’d have to do what I say and follow my every move. Dimitri’s gone. Power has changed hands in the Columbian mafia. This is a fight that only I am left to finish. Do you agree?”
The firm look on my face was enough to convince him.
“Good. Firstly, I want Camilla out of that home. Adonis is unconscious and cannot protect her. I also don’t want her to know about this,” he gestured between the both of us. “She’s going through a lot of emotional stress for her condition. I just got my daughter back; I don’t want to lose her-I didn’t get married as early as the rest, so she’s the only one I have.”
I understood him. This was a dangerous mission. It was best she left the mansion for a while. It would be a challenging task as Cara was a stubborn woman. My heart clenched in pain at the thought of my Cecelia too.
She could be tenacious if she wanted to, and I’d have to find a way to convince her to leave.
“That can be arranged. It is mandatory after all.”
“You’re wise.” Miguel breathed. “Tell me, you said that Greco girl is Cara’s friend. Do you think you can get her on our side? If she’s as gullible as her brothers, it should be easy.”
I thought about it.
Getting Tina on my side should be a piece of cake. We were already close; I just had to make her closer. Something believable. If she was truly walking with Salvatore’s son, he’d be monitoring her every move.
I stroked my chin in deep thought.
What can I do? What can I-
The penny dropped.
Why not use three birds to kill a stone? I could let Cece go and pull Tina closer then send Cara packing.
“I think I know a way. A perfect one.” I declared to Miguel, my mind made up despite the new ache that had formed in my chest.
He studied me with a fixated look.
“Okay. That’s the second one. Thirdly, put the mansion in order. I have a feeling they’ll show up soon. You wait patiently, taking care of pending matters and keep safe every important document, file, or thing you don’t want them to have control over. A foolish leader would only destroy everything you’ve built. Leave access to the things that didn’t matter and let them think they’re in charge. Then when they come, you’d make use of that opportunity.”
“What if it takes longer than expected? We’re on a roll here.”
“Then we create an opportunity.”
“And the main plan itself?”
“Be patient, child. It’s in stages. One step at a time.” His lips curled up in a mischievous smile. “You have two weeks to get everything done. Within two weeks, if they make no move, we’ll start.”
Miguel rose to his feet, checking the wristwatch on his wrist.
“I have far more important things to do.” He pulled on his coat. “Like going to the underground sex ring to lay an indirect threat.”
I stood up too.
“Salvatore’s son would be there?”
“That’s what my source says. Who’s there?” He boomed, and three men in leather jackets rushed in.
“I need just one man to go with me. Tonight is not the night to act. I’m going to have some fun. Call me in two weeks. Not less, not more.”
He began heading towards the door.
“Miguel.” He halted.
“What’s his name? Salvatore’s son…”
Miguel looked at me over his shoulder.
“Adrian Bernardi. Yet that’s irrelevant. They call him ‘diavolo dall’inferno’ (devil from hell).
Then he walked out.
With a heavy and messed-up mind, I returned home, knowing the thing I needed to do. By the time I got home, it was late, and Cecelia was already sleeping in my bed.
Her state of appearance was meant to make it harder to let her go, yet I couldn’t wait for her to leave. I didn’t want to be tempted to keep her with me.
She was in a red, laced-up lingerie that left nothing to my imagination, looking as sexy as fuck, which was the total opposite of her cute sleeping facial expression.
I suddenly remembered.
Today would make it a year since I proposed. I was such a shitty fiance. Adonis was right; I go around giving love lessons when I’m scared of commitment. She deserves better.
Yanking my shirt over my head, I stalked towards the bed, roughly turning her over.
A soft sigh at the intrusion of her sleep, which quickly turned into a low moan as I rubbed at the space between her legs, came out of her lips.
Her eyes flew open.
“What’s going-oh, Luca, you’re back. When-Luca?!”
She jumped between unfinished words. Startled at the quick change of emotions.
Surprise. Realization. Pleasure.
I rubbed harder, taking her lips in mine for a fierce kiss. We were both panting heavily when I pulled away.
“Why? Are you okay?” She asked softly and I shook my head.
“I need you. I’ve had you on my mind all day.”
It wasn’t a lie; still, it wasn’t the truth either.
“Well, you have me.” She teased, spreading her legs for me to get in between.
Forgetting the gravity of the situation for a moment, I dived in. This was the last time I was going to be intimate with the love of my life; I at least deserved to enjoy it.
That night I took her in every way possible. It’ll be remembered as one of the best sex we ever had-and the last.
I couldn’t keep my hands to myself.
Waking her up with my wandering hands at rest intervals.
In the end, when the early hours of the morning came, I finally decided to let her be, cuddling her naked body in mine as she snored softly in exhaustion.
The room smelt of sex, and the torn thrown clothes around gave the room the vibe of a couple who were just being intimate for the first time after confessing their love.
But I lay wide awake, with bloodshot eyes, knowing this was different.
It was goodbye.