Chapter 49

Dylan

“Let me out!” I growled at Dario.

He kept blocking my way, stopping me from stepping out of the penthouse. No matter how discreet I was, he still managed to find out what I was doing.

I tried to sneak out but he was able to stop me from leaving. I tried to be careful, biding my time until he’s off guard. I was surprised that he knew what I was up to and he was only waiting for me to execute my plan. I asked him how. He showed me a footage that displayed my bedroom. I then realized he caught me hacking into my computer.

“Come on, Dario. Aren’t you worried for your boss?” I begged. “What if something happens to her? She’s still not fully healed yet.”

He sighs. “She knows what she’s doing. Her family is royalty in the mafia for a reason. I know you’re concerned for her but have a little faith, will you?”

I scowl, lips pursed into thin line. “I will always worry for her. Please…”

He shakes his head. “I suggest you return to your room.”

“You’re not my babysitter.” I grunt, clenching my fists.

“Never said I am. Look, my job here is for you to stay out of their way for now.” I stilled at the harsh reality he had slapped me. It’s as if he said that I wasn’t that important to her. “If you managed to locate her then you must know what she’s up to.”

Before I could even respond, we heard the front door burst open. Cara and Franco emerged from the door. My eyes dilated when I saw her torso was bathed in blood; her white coat was now painted in crimson.

In no second, I came to her. “Cara…” I cried. “You’re bleeding. Is this…?” I hesitated, knowing there’s a possibility that it wasn’t hers but the way my heart is beating loudly, I have an inkling that it's hers. It’s where she was shot. “Please tell me you’re okay. Fuck, of course, you’re not okay. You’re bleeding! How can you be so reckless leaving like that-”

I was cut off when she raised his hand to my face, signaling me to stop my rambling. I immediately shut up. “I am fine. Thank you for your concern.” Her eyes then shifted to Dario behind me. “All set?”

I frowned, unable to understand her question towards Dario. “Cara-”

She cuts me off again. “You can go back to your apartment now. From this day on, you will no longer serve me. Enjoy your freedom.” She then walked past me.

I stood still, frozen, unable to comprehend what just happened. Her cold demeanor had my heart clenched in pain. What happened? I thought we were okay. I recalled that night, mulling at the conversation we had before she got shot.

Franco’s eyes and mine met. He pitied me.

I whirled around to go after her. “What exactly are you saying? What did you mean by that?” I stopped her by pulling her arm. I’m sure she could hint at the desperation in my voice. My eyes couldn’t stop staring at the part where she was shot. Whatever she did reopened her wound and bled this much.

“It means you're free now.” She stated curtly.

“You know that’s not what I mean.” Shifting my eyes back to her, I shouldn’t have. Her eyes were dark and cold. Maybe it wasn't the right time for me to bug her about it. I don’t think it’ll take a genius to know that Cara was in her worst mood.

“I will say this for the last time as I’m sure we will not meet again.” I inhaled sharply. I didn’t like how it sounded or where it’s going. My mind was already aware of what she’ll about to say.

“I am grateful for your loyalty to me but that’s that. From the start, there was no relationship. It was only purely physical. My once need had become an unnecessary habit. And if you think there’s something more about it, then you thought wrong. You should know better that you and I will never match. A queen does not deserve a mere commoner. With that said– you had wished for freedom; now, it’s granted. Take care, Dylan Ross. I wish you and your family well.”

She walks past me and proceeds to her room, leaving my heart crumbling into pieces. I felt Franco’s presence in front of me, as I looked down blankly at the marbled floor.

“We are going back to Italy tonight. We’ll probably not be able to come back here… ever.” He sighs. “I figured you should know.”

I was not sane enough to respond to him as I stood still until I realized that they left me there in the middle of the living room. I went back to my room with a heavy heart, still unable to comprehend reality– or maybe it was a dream. I was completely in a daze. I was blankly staring at the wall. I was thinking, at the same time, I wasn’t. It felt like I was in a state of trauma.

It still hasn’t sunk into me. Despite how much I wanted to think what the hell had gone wrong for us to end like this, I couldn’t think of all the possibilities. My mind is blank, in a state of shock. I could only feel the pain and that’s it.

That night I heard them leave. I could hear Cara’s bedroom door slamming shut and I knew then that it’s happening. It’s the truth. She’s leaving me. But my heart and mind refused to believe it.

—

Cara

My estate came into view as soon as my guards opened the gates of my property. My phone rang as soon as I stepped out of the vehicle parked in front of my mansion. I sighed as I looked at the name plastered on my screen.

I swiped the screen to answer it. I walked in careful steps as I climbed the staircase of the Di Angelo mansion. “I know.” I spoke nonchalantly, instead of greeting him.

“Is that what you’re gonna say after burning a whole place down? Are you crazy? Our families have an agreement. I should’ve known that you're the one who's actually going to break it.” My all powerful cousin finally started ranting.

“Spare me the lecture, Stef. I know what I did.” I roll my eyes as I speak.

“You know what the consequences are yet you still did it. Dad still doesn’t know about this. He’ll be so disappointed if he finds out. You rarely come here to visit and now with the mafia, he hardly sees you. How can you risk an agreement over revenge?”

I stopped at the front door, his question grabbed my attention. “How would you know it was revenge?”

“You don’t make a move unless someone wants a death wish. It’s not entirely rare for a massacre here-”

“Ouch.” I sneered.

“You don’t get to say that. You and your men left everything there into ashes. With your smart ass, I’m sure you did that considering the fucking property has no neighbor. Anyways, it’s not entirely rare for a mass– crimes like that here.” I smirked knowing he still changed the term he used. “I just had to make sure it wasn’t you. And of course, it was you!”

“I will not apologize for what I did but what I am sorry for is breaking the agreement. You said so yourself. I don’t make a move unless someone wants a death wish.”

Although it was stupid of me to play Romeo Reed before killing him. I admit I was too arrogant. I was feeling confident on twisting his mind, disregarding the fact that my wound is still a few days old. That was probably the most stupidest thing I’ve done- letting him have the chance of watching me in pain. I couldn’t help it. I just love to see my enemies suffer under my watch.

After roughly pressing my wound, he stole the gun back from me. Thinking it was loaded, he pulled a trigger which I convulsed in laughter. The fight dragged on for a bit until I got bored dragging the inevitable and killed him. I didn’t regret playing with him. I just love watching them underestimate me, feeling like they got the upper hand just because I’m a woman but they all ended up the same. Dead.

Stefano was disappointed with what I did. I couldn't blame him. My actions will cause the Di Angelo and Ranallo to drift apart. I was the only Di Angelo left in the mafia. And I will be willing to face the consequences.