Cara’s POV
I didn’t go down immediately. Adonis wasn’t a child or a stupid man; the fact that he brought Diavolo to our home meant that he was trying to achieve something.
Whatever it was, I was not interested. As we had indirectly decided months ago, he could do as he pleased. I was already doing the same.
Diavolo’s acceptance of the invitation made me uneasy. Living with men who had mastered the act of manipulation and psychology in their work dealings had taught me more than a thing or two.
He wasn’t here to play.
Making my spine as straight as possible, I began heading towards our room.
“Come along with me. I’ll need your help.”
The maid didn’t argue and silently followed. One of the attributes one must have to work for a man like my father.
Never ask questions.
I went straight into our dressing room, moving over to the section of clothes I hadn’t touched for months. Adonis’s side of the dressing room seemed to be more comfortable than mine, so I lived wearing his clothes.
Not today, though.
I bypassed my usual selections, my eyes drawn to a blue-green halter dress. Perfect.
“Can I see that?”
Once again, the maid obeyed without questions.
The silk felt cool against my skin, the neckline offering some relief from the stifling heat. And the colour… it would make me unforgettable. Most importantly, the loose fit would be comfortable. Yes, this was the one.
With a nod of my head, I smiled at the young lady holding up the gown in front of me.
“Do you wear makeup?”
In record time, we were done. My face looked more pampered and pretty just with the little amount of makeup she had doused on my face. My hair was in a simple messy bun updo. I had on the dress, and to match my black Hermes bag, a black three-inch heel Cecelia had chosen for me during our last shopping spree.
“How do I look?”
She paused, a small smile on her face as she gave me a full sweep.
“Wonderful, ma’am. Very expensive. But perhaps some earrings?”
“Perfect idea.” I pointed to the jewellery table. “The red velvet box… the big one on the far left.”
A soft gasp echoed throughout the room, and I instantly knew she had located the right box. Within a minute, she returned with two small rose-shaped blue diamond earrings, and I put them on.
“I believe it’s all complete?”
“Perfect, ma’am.”
“Good. I have someone to introduce myself to.”
The walk down the stairs wasn’t filled with a lot of nerves like I’d expected my first meeting with Diavolo to go.
The fear associated with his name… the things I’ve heard about him, were still there in me, but buried beneath was something much stronger.
The urge to protect my family…
This phase of my plan was going to be louder than the last.
Just like the sound of my heels clicking would’ve announced my presence before they saw me, I could hear their deep voices as they exchanged words; my father seemed to have returned and joined them.
Arriving at the foot of the stairs, I held my head high as I advanced towards them.
“Hello everyone.”
Their muttering ceased as eight pairs of eyes fell on me.
I had to swallow down the scoff that wanted to erupt at the sight that my eyes were met with. Each of them sat comfortably, one on a sofa, yet contrary to how they made it seem, they were not relaxed at all.
I could see the tension in their eyes, their hard gazes, and how prepared they looked. All it would take was one word of disrespect, and I’m sure guns would be flashing in the light.
The amount of guards in the room was something I hadn’t even accounted for yet as they made up for the extra pairs of eyes.
“Bel.” It was Adonis who spoke first. “I was told you were getting dressed. Do you have somewhere to be?”
I walked towards him, placing a small peck on his cheeks before gently lowering myself beside him. “I didn’t know until a few minutes ago.” My skin crawled at the unwanted attention it was getting from the elderly man on the sofa adjacent to ours.
The only attention I wanted was my husband’s, and the dilation of his pupils at my outfit was enough for me.
Shrugging it off, I looked to the sofa opposite ours, “Dad. I didn’t know you were back. How was it?”
My father smirked, “It…” he stressed, his eyes locking with mine intensely, “… was fine. Everything is as it should be.”
Adonis laced his hands with mine, giving it a tight squeeze, yet I refused to look at him. I wasn’t curious about his plan, so why should he be about mine?
“Well, I’m going to see a friend of mine.”
“You have the strength to?”
“I’m pregnant, Adonis, not sick. I’ll be back soon.” I rose to my feet, barely taking any steps when the man I had intentionally ignored decided to introduce himself.
“Vedo che mi stai ignorando intenzionalmente, piccola (I see you’re ignoring me intentionally, child).”
My heart pounded against my ribs, but I willed my voice to remain steady, refusing to show any sign of fear.
“You should’ve rolled with it then.” My head snapped towards him, a tight smile on my face.
“You speak Italian? Adonis never said so…” Adrian grinned in his heavy Italian accent.
“I don’t. It’s just not hard to predict how you think.” I replied, hoping he’d get the double meaning behind my words.
“Adonis…” He regarded my husband. “Non hai detto che tua moglie era una sputafuoco (You didn’t say your wife was a spitfire). It’s nice. Your tantrums are nice…”
Adonis remained quiet, not saying a word, but I wasn’t angry. It was the role he was meant to play. A man who had been abandoned by his own family and needed to make money to survive. Adrian was his boss, so he had no right to speak out of turn, but he wasn’t mine.
My eyes flickered to my father’s, an occurrence that was now common between the both of us. He gave me an imperceptible nod of his head.
That was the go-ahead I needed.
“Look here, Mr. Bernardi, I’m not like my husband, who’s swallowing his pride to sit here with you knowing you’re after his throne. In case he hasn’t told you yet, I don’t like you.”
“Oh really-
“Hold it! I’m still speaking.” The amusement dropped from his face. “We know what you’re up to, and our silence doesn’t mean we can’t do anything about it. You men can sit here with tense shoulders and have a chit-chat, but I won’t do that with you. I’ve got my eyes on you. One move. Just one move against my man, and you would regret it.”
“You are… bold.”
“Yes. A dosage of what Sarah should’ve given you instead of falling for you.”
‘Be provoked. Be provoked,’ I chanted in my head, and his gaze hardening at my words told me I was doing a good job.
We all knew he came to declare war. This wasn’t about both parties going about their doings in the background.
We’ve known, but now we’re acknowledging it.
To anyone else, we’d look like people having a simple discussion, but to me, I could see it for what it was… I could read the words he wanted to pass across…
If you dare to cross me…
He suddenly donned a well-practised smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“Miguel… I see you didn’t teach your daughter to respect her elders.”
“I did… only the ones I like though. We both know the only reason I haven’t kicked you out is because of my respect for Dimitri… we do not have that kind of relationship.”
“We don’t, do we?” Adrian sighed dramatically, and I turned towards the exit. My work here has been done.
Just before I got into the car, I glanced at the building. My snarky and bratty expression was gone, replaced with a desperate one.
I hoped he took the bait. He had to, or else… all my effort and my father’s would go to waste.
Settling in, I placed my hand against my racing heart; things were about to get real; this was the turning point. I could feel it.
The two front doors of the car slammed shut as my guards got in.
“Where are we heading to, ma’am?” One asked, and I exhaled deeply.
“To see Luca.”
It was only fair that I warned him…