Chapter 72

Christian

“So then it’s settled, we’ll deal with Fabio one week from now,” Christian confirmed and looked at everyone around the table.

There had been a delay in the plans—but in the end, all the families agreed that Fabio Garcia was a danger and had to be put down.

“How can we sit here and plan our attack, when the father of the enemy is right among us.” One of the men spoke and pointed his finger at Aldo Sala as the others agreed. All Christian could think of was Enzo, and how he would’ve been treated if anyone were to find out the truth. He looked at Enzo who sat on the other side of the table with an embarrassed look on his face. As he should, Christian thought.

The voices around the table were starting to get more active and he was unsure of what to do. He looked from his grandfather to his father, waiting for their help—but they both leaned back. That’s right, from now on I’m on my own, Christian thought.

“The pain Aldo has to carry for his daughter being a snake is enough of a punishment—but at the moment we all share the same enemy, so we have to rely on each other.” Gio jumped in as everyone went quiet.

“Thank you,” Christian muttered—once again his brother was the one to save him.

“There is one more thing I would like to discuss,” Christian announced. It was something he had promised Serena, and he was going to keep that promise. In a way, he saw it as a way to pay for his sins. Perhaps she would forgive me if he I kept my promise, he thought.

“Vincenzo and Luis Garcia—and all of his men who decide to surrender...we let them go,” Christian said. Once again everyone around the table lost their patience and whispered among each other.

“Christian, you can’t do that!” Emilio raised his voice and glared at him. “Will you be able to take the consequences when they suddenly decide to take revenge? That’s not for you to decide.”

“He can, he has the final word.” Johnny stood behind him. He would’ve done it either way, but he was not a big fan of Emilio Alfonzo and would’ve done anything to get in his way.

“Thanks for your input, but this concerns my sister and my niece’s lives and Serena is an Alfonzo,” Emilio told Johnny who leaned back unimpressed.

“Serena will be a Lamberti, and the baby is also a Lamberti—Christian is a Lamberti, so guess what? He has the final say.” Johnny shrugged his shoulders—while a startled Emilio did not know what to do.

“Thanks, Johnny.” Christian smiled. Also, he knew that letting them go would be extremely risky, but he did not see a bright eleven-year-old as a threat. Vincenzo on the other hand, he was aware that he might end up resenting both Serena and the baby—but Christian did not want to hurt him.

“Lucio, are you not going to say anything?” One of the men spoke. Christian turned back to look at his ill father who had been watching the discussion in silence. He cleared his throat, to gain everyone’s attention. “Christian has the final word.” He spoke and got up from his chair.

“And after we have dealt with Fabio I will officially retire—I will leave everything in Christian’s hands.” He suddenly dropped a bomb, making everyone gasp. Even Christian had not expected for him to share the news at this moment—but even though his dad was still standing, he knew that time was ticking and that anything could happen.

“Suddenly?” Matteo who was also unaware of everything spoke in a suspicious tone. It was no doubt that he knew that something was going on. Not even a year ago Lucio had told Matteo that he wanted to grand Christian his freedom for as long as he could.

“Yes, suddenly.” Lucio sighed. “I trust my son with my heart, so I will expect all of you to do the same—end of discussion.”

Even though many did not agree, no one had the guts to speak against Lucio and held themselves back as Christian went through the plans one more time.

“You did great little brother.” Gio patted him on the back after everyone had left, everyone but Lucio. “Thanks,” Christian mumbled and patiently waited until Gio had left the room.

“So now it’s official, that’s what you wanted right?” Lucio spoke. “Dad...” Christian lowered his head in embarrassment.

“I know you thought that I would change my mind and give everything to Gio, but you need to understand that he’s not after your position—your brother wants to be there for you.” Lucio tried his hardest to reassure him.

Christian raised his head and looked at Lucio—unsure of what to say. For him, it was hard to believe that Gio was just being nice, but he did not want to trouble his father, so he just went along with it.

“You did great and I’m really proud of you.” Lucio held him by his shoulder and smiled at him. “You have become more relaxed, more polite to elders, you’re slowly becoming yourself again, an upgraded version—I like this side of you.” He chuckled.

“The only bad thing is that you had to cheat on Serena, for you to get your head together,” Lucio commented. “I don’t want to talk about it,” Christian said and stepped back.

Betraying Serena had still wounded him, and all he wanted was to get it off his chest and tell her the truth, but the longer he kept it hidden—the more he began to realize that what she did not know could not hurt her.

“You will eventually tell her after all of this is over...right?” Lucio asked while Christian nodded his head. He wouldn’t, but his terminally ill father did not need to know that. He felt bad for thinking that way, but he had changed his mind about coming clean. The bond with Serena was tighter than it had ever been—and he wasn’t planning on breaking it over some girl he would never see again.

“I’ve been thinking, you need someone around you—someone to advise you. Marc has been busy with the tasks I gave him, I don’t know for how much longer I’ll be around, you’re clearly not that fond of your brothers or any cousin other than Johnny—I’ve decided that you need a personal assistant.” Lucio spoke.

“A what?” Christian laughed in disbelief, ignoring the part where Lucio said that he wouldn’t be here for much longer.

“A personal assistant,” Lucio repeated himself, but the look on Christian’s face said enough. He did not want to hear it. “I have more than enough men following me around all day and—“

“Oh no, I’ve been looking into women.” Lucio cut him off. “Or what, are you afraid that can’t keep it in your pants?” Lucio laughed at his own joke while for Christian it felt as if a dagger went through his heart.

“No, I’m telling you to stop looking—I don’t need a personal assistant.” Christian folded his arms. “That’s too bad, I’ve already planned a few interviews.”

“Then you cancel them,” Christian told him. “We are on the verge of war, and you’re looking for personal assistants? Do you really think that’s necessary right now?”

“I don’t know for how much longer I will be here, so yes—it’s necessary,” Lucio spoke. Christian looked at his father who had become skinnier, but not enough for someone else to notice he was sick. Over the past few weeks, his health had been declining but even then Lucio had still remained positive. Lucio had reassured him that his meds were working and that he would be around for a while, but that wasn’t enough for Christian to stop worrying.

How can he pretend like he’s not dying? Christian thought whenever he would observe his father’s behavior.

“Fine, do whatever you want.” Christian shrugged it off as he didn’t want to be the cause of his father’s headache.

“Are you planning on telling mom? Stella? Mia? Anyone?” Christian wondered. He did not understand or agreed how Lucio could keep this secret from the family.

“I’ll tell them when I have to tell them,” Lucio mumbled before he walked away, leaving Christian all alone.

That evening he went home with an uncomfortable pit in his stomach. He did not understand how his father was not threatened by the fact that he was losing his life, and had decided to remain positive.

Emmanuella had moved out because it was for the best at the moment and probably wouldn’t be around much longer, because she was moving in with his uncle. He slowly began to realize how much he missed Serena’s presence. Her smile whenever he did something unexpected, her pout whenever she got embarrassed—and even her lax personality.

He could still not understand how he found someone like Serena, and still had the nerve to betray her. Someone who was originally not his type—but he ended up falling for her.

Christian turned his head to the liquor cabinet but quickly closed his eyes as he turned away again. I can’t do this, I can’t drink away my problems, he said to himself. That’s where it went wrong in the first place.

“Sir, Isobel Sala wants to speak with you.” He heard one of the guards speak through the intercom. “We’re letting enemies through the gates now? Let her in.” He chuckled upon hearing the voice of the same guard man who had given Serena the package of the squirrel. He never learns.

And neither does she.