Chapter 46

Christian

“Nevada sure is beautiful, I would like to live here.” Johnny sighed and stared out of the window. “I bet you do.” Christian chuckled. They were headed to one of the Lamberti casinos.

“The women are beautiful too— you know what, I should live here.” Luca continued while Christian tried to listen to his cousin’s rant, but his focus was elsewhere.

Taking off work to spend time with Serena was something he felt which he had owed her, but he quickly realized that everyone felt a bit too free and would not try their best if he was not there to keep an eye on everything.

When Lucio told Christian that someone had found out Serena’s identity and might have told Fabio Garcia, he had wanted to travel to Las Vegas that very moment— but seeing Matteo Alfonzo standing in their living room made him even more anxious.

He did not want to lie to Serena or Matteo, but Lucio had made it clear that it was for the best.

Even Johnny and Luca were unaware of the real reason why they had to get rid of the rat, due to Christian covering it up with a business deal with the Sala’s.

He brought Aldo Sala and Isobel along to Las Vegas so no one would suspect anything and while the two were doing their own business, Christian had brought Johnny and Luca along to deal with the rat. Luca was originally not his first choice, but he had given Marc a more important job at the moment, to keep an eye on Serena from a distance.

All Christian ever wanted to do was protect Serena and the baby, but knowing that Fabio might know the truth made him anxious. He felt as if he wasn’t prepared to fight Fabio or to face his old friend, Vincenzo— but he did not have any choice.

“Thinking about Serena again?” Johnny asked him. Christian rolled his eyes and shook his head.

“I think our cousin is really in love.” Luca who had no idea of the fake relationship spoke. As far as Christian was concerned he was concerned, he thought it would be a shotgun wedding for the sake of the baby. “I’m not, don’t be ridiculous.”

“He’s right, you are.” Johnny who had noticed the changed expression each time someone mentioned Serena told him. “No, I’m not.” Christian tried to convince himself once again.

“Yes you do, and it scares you so that’s why you’re sleeping around with every breathing soul.” Luca laughed while Christian sat there unamused. “Shut up.”

“Why? Serena is right there but here you are fucking Isobel and god knows who to convince yourself that you do not have feelings for her.”

Christian knew that his cousin was right, but he had not expected Serena to be such a laid back person, someone who he could laugh with and open up to— but he could not have feelings for her, ever.

“I know all about that plan to let her and that baby go— but if I were you I would rethink that decision.” Luca suddenly spoke while Johnny and Christian looked at him in surprise.

“I’ve known cousin Christian my entire life, he’s a pussy and wouldn’t want to bring his child in danger, but the thing which I don’t understand is why you’re so put on hiding Serena from the family while the engagement should prevent you from doing so.” Luca cracked his brains.

“So think about it, what kind of father do you want to be? One who would do anything to protect his child and the woman he cares about, or a coward?” Luca asked, making Christian blood boil.

“You don’t know anything, so I suggest you shut up!” Christian spoke. He believed he was not a coward, but doing whatever was best for not only Serena and the baby but also for the entire family. If the truth came out, everyone would be in danger.

“She’s Matteo’s daughter.” Christian blurted out, not being able to take his cousin's words anymore. Johnny and Luca turned their head in unison to look at their cousin. Christian knew that he had made a big mistake by telling them, but while interrogating the rat they would’ve found out anyway.

“Wait, help me out here because I am confused,” Luca demanded an explanation. Christian gave them a summary of how everything came to be while the two gave him the surprising reaction he had already expected.

“So faith brought the two of you together.” Johnny chuckled. In the beginning, Christian liked to call it a coincidence and not really faith, but now even he was starting to think otherwise.

“And this rat found out about Serena’s identity and told Fabio?” Johnny asked for confirmation. Now that he understood things a bit better also he was aware that Fabio would never allow Serena or the baby to live. Matteo Alfonzo lying about the birth of his daughter was already bad enough, and to top it off that exact daughter having a baby with a Lamberti, the two families he despised the most— would not do any good.

“Christian, how could you leave Serena alone right now?” Johnny wondered. “She’s not alone, I have many people keeping an eye on her.”

Christian felt guilty for taking away her freedom like that, but he had to know that she and the baby were safe.

After a while, the three had arrived at the Casino and were greeted with open arms. Since the majority of the Lamberti’s operated from New York, it was always a pleasant surprise whenever they came to visit.

“Sir,” The group of men who had been waiting for the three outside of the casino spoke and followed behind them.

“Please stay here, and make sure no one gets in,” Christian instructed them and walked further.

“I’m are so happy to have you here!” Orso grabbed Christian’s arm and led him to the casino. “Are you really?” Christian wondered.

“Yes, of course, we are.” Orso tried his best to sound sincere.

“From what I’ve heard, one of your men has been putting their nose where they shouldn’t.”

Orso looked at Christian in fear and shook his head. “No, everyone here is loyal to the Lamberti’s and the Lamberti’s only!” The man spoke, and by the look on his face, Christian could tell that it was just as much a surprise to him.

“Carlo Saccone, bring him to me.” Christian walked past Orso, with Johnny and Luca following behind him. “That’s me, sir!” A young man who could not be any older than twenty-five walked from behind the bar with his head lowered.

Christian softened his look and was unsure of what to do. He had to know how much Carlo knew and how much he had told Fabio Garcia, but the last thing he had expected was for the rat to be a young man.

“Take him,” Christian spoke and had a regretful look on his face. He didn’t want to do this— but to protect Serena and the baby he would go above and beyond. “No, no— what have I done!” Carlo kept yelling.

“Stop.” Christian breathed and watched as Johnny and Luca turned Carlo back around. “I swear, I don’t know what I’ve done, please let me go!” Carlo begged him, but Christian knew better. Someone had claimed to have news on Serena’s and had been pulling strings to inform Fabio— that was the news the rat on the Garcia’s side had told Lucio. “W-what’s going on?” Orso asked.

“Your staff can’t keep their mouth shut, that’s what’s going on,” Luca spoke and gave Carlo a kick against his knee, making him cry out in pain.

“Would you mind stepping out for a second, so we can handle this?” Johnny asked Orso, who obeyed him and immediately ran out.

“I think you and I both know what’s going on here, all you have to do is tell me the truth, I only need the truth.” Christian gave him one last chance. The last thing he wanted to do was hurt anyone. He had done so more times than he could remember, but to take over his father’s empire and to fix this corrupt family so he could hand it over to the baby— he had to play along with the game for now.

“Serena Reyes, what have you got on her?” Christian knelt and faced the man. “I don’t want to hurt you, just tell me.” He sighed.

“I-I d-didn’t mean to spread she is Matteo’s daughter, someone paid me to spread the rumor!” Carlo cried out in fear. Christian let out an irritated yell and paced back and forth the room. By now the rumor had surely reached Fabio who would definitely get to the bottom of this.

Christian walked back to the man and roughly grabbed his chin, forcing him to look up at him. “Tell me, who told you to spread this rumor?” Christian asked, knowing it had to he someone from their side— but the man shook his head.

“No, I can’t. She threatened me not to tell, she threatened to kill my family, my wife, my son, I had no choice— please show me mercy.” Carlo begged for his life and bowed crying, while all Christian could think about was what kind of beast would do something like that.

“Listen, you’ll die either way so whether you want it to be quick or painful is up to you— give us the name.” Luca sighed and pulled up his head to raise him from his bowing position.

“If you tell me the name, I’ll spare your life and make sure you and your family are safe,” Christian promised the man.

“Christian, forced or not he remains a snake!” Luca tried to talk him right, but Christian raised his hand to stop his cousin from talking. “Don’t interrupt me, know your place.”

It was beyond Christian that Luca who had also grown up without a father was completely ruthless and had no compassion for others. “Please tell me, all you have to do is tell me.” Christian closed his eyes, knowing what he would eventually have to do if he did not speak up.

“Just kill me, I won’t tell you— I can’t.” The man spoke determined to sacrifice his life. “Just tell me!” Christian gave him one more opportunity but once again the man shook his head.

“Christian, you have to deal with him or our family will be a laughing stock.” Luca pushed a gun into his hands. Christian looked down at the gun and threw it on the floor.

“Please listen.” He approached the man again and knelt. “You have a family to protect, so do I.” He spoke in a calm tone, hoping the man would work along.

“Just like you I have someone to protect. My fiancée and my baby...I care for both of them, a lot.” Christian spoke, and indirectly confessed his feelings towards Serena.

“So while you are begging me for your life...” Christian joined the man on the floor and held both of his arms. “Christian?” Johnny asked in shock while Luca stared at his cousin in disbelief.

“I’m begging you to help me keep my family safe, please tell me where you got this information from...from one father to another— I’m begging you.”

The room went in complete silence as the man stared into Christian’s eyes and noticed his sincerity. “Will you really keep my family safe?” Carlo asked again and Christian nodded his head. “I swear on my life— you have my word, all you have to do is give me a name.”

“Who is betraying me?”

Carlo took a deep breath and stared right into Christian’s eyes.

“It was Isobel Sala and your brother Enzo.”