ANTHONIO’s POV
I rolled the heavy chain, rolled my hand, threw my hand in the air, and brought it down on the person beneath me on the floor, shouting and wailing. I threw the chain aside when one of my men entered the room announcing I had a guest. I ordered him to send the guest in.
I watched as the mysterious figure entered the room, their features shrouded in shadows. My mind raced with possibilities, my instincts on high alert.
“Who are you?” I demanded, my voice firm.
The figure stepped forward, revealing a man with piercing blue eyes and long hair. He was tall and lean, with a chiseled jawline and a confident air about him.
“What do you want?” I asked gruffly.
The man smiled, a sly smile. “I have information, Antonio. Information that will help you finally take down Matteo.”
My eyes narrowed. What could he possibly know? And how did he know I was gunning for Matteo?
“What kind of information?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
The man leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I know about his plans. His alliances. His weaknesses. And I’m willing to share it all with you… for a price.”
My eyes locked onto his, my mind racing with possibilities. This could be the break I needed. The key to finally taking down my rival and claiming the power for myself.
“Name your price,” I said, my voice low and even.
I knew it was Carter, one of Matteo’s most trusted men. My mind raced with questions. What was he doing here? And why was he betraying his loyalty to Matteo?
“Carter,” I said, my voice firm. “What are you doing here?”
Carter’s eyes locked onto mine, his expression resolute. “I want Aria.”
My eyes narrowed. “Aria? What do you mean?”
Carter’s smile was cold and calculating. “I mean, I want her as mine. In exchange, I’ll give you the information you need to take down Matteo.”
My mind raced with possibilities. Aria was a valuable pawn in this game, and if Carter was willing to betray Matteo for her, she must be more important than I thought.
“What makes you think I’d be interested in your proposal?” I asked, playing for time.
Carter’s eyes glinted with determination.
“Because I know you want to take down Matteo, Antonio. And I know you’ll do whatever it takes to make that happen.”
I walked to my seat with my torso covered in blood and leaned back in my chair, my eyes never leaving Carter’s face. He didn’t seem fazed by my appearance, and that brought a smile to my face. This was a dangerous game we were playing, and I needed to think carefully about my next move. But one thing was certain, I would do whatever it took to come out on top.
“You love her?”. I asked but he didn’t reply
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Carter’s bold statement. “You love her?” I repeated, my voice skeptical.
Carter’s face was unwavering, his eyes burning with intensity. “Yes, I do. I’ve loved her for a long time, Antonio. And I’m willing to do whatever it takes to make her mine.”
I leaned forward, my eyes locked onto his. “And you think I’ll just hand her over to you when I’m done with Matteo?”
Carter’s smile was cold and calculating. “You want to take down Matteo, Antonio. And I’m the only one who can help you do that. Aria is the key to destroying him. And I’m the only one who knows how to use her.”
My mind raced with possibilities. Could I really trust Carter? And what did he mean by “use” Aria? But one thing was certain: I needed him. And I needed the information he had.
“Very well,” I said finally, my voice firm. “I accept your proposal. But if you’re playing me, Carter… you’ll regret it.”
Carter’s eyes gleamed with triumph. “I’m not playing you, Antonio. I’m playing the game. And I always get what I want.”
Carter’s chuckle echoed through the room, and I narrowed my eyes. “How did you find me, Carter?” I asked, my voice firm.
Carter’s smile faltered for a moment, and he hesitated before answering. “Ah, well… I may have… exaggerated to Matteo when I said I couldn’t find you.”
My eyes widened in understanding. “You lied to him,” I stated flatly.
Carter shrugged, his smile returning. “Let’s just say I had my reasons for wanting to keep you… available to me.”
I leaned back in my chair, my mind racing with implications. Carter had been playing both sides all along, using his position in Matteo’s organization to gather information and further his own agenda. And now, he was offering to betray Matteo and join forces with me.
I studied Carter’s face, searching for any sign of deception. But his eyes met mine steadily, his expression confident and calculating.
“What makes you think I’ll trust you now?” I asked, my voice skeptical.
Carter made himself comfortable on the sofa in the room after jogging over the dying man covered in blood on the floor.
Carter shrugged, his shoulders barely rising off the chair. “You don’t have a choice, Antonio. I’m the only key you have to bring down Matteo. And we both know it.”
I leaned forward, my eyes locked onto his. “And what makes you think I need your help to take down Matteo?” I spat, trying to keep my anger in check.
Carter’s smile grew wider. “Oh, come on, Antonio. You’ve been trying to take down Matteo for a while now, and what have you accomplished? Nothing. You need me, and you know it.”
I gritted my teeth, hating the fact that Carter was right. I had been trying to take down Matteo for some time, but every attempt ended in failure. And now, this traitorous snake was offering to help me, but at what cost?
“What do you really want, Carter?” I asked, my voice low and even.
Carter’s eyes gleamed with triumph. “Like I said, I want Aria, and I want a share of the power. That’s all.”
I raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. “A share of the power? Do you think you can just waltz in here and demand a share of my empire?”
Carter’s smile never wavered. “I’m not demanding anything, Antonio. I’m offering you a deal. With my help, we can take down Matteo and split the spoils. You’ll get the revenge you’ve been seeking, and I’ll get the power and prestige I deserve.”
I studied Carter’s face, trying to read between the lines. He was hiding something, I was sure of it. But what?
“And what makes you think I’ll agree to this?” I asked, my voice neutral.
Carter’s eyes locked onto mine, his gaze piercing. “Because you have no other choice, Anthonio. I’m the only one who can help you now.”
I smirked as I lit my cigar and took a drag.