Chapter 154

“Luca hates his entire family. Let’s start with that.” Dario chuckled. “I don’t know what he told you-

but he’s dangerous, and he’s most definitely not on your side.”

“I don’t trust you.” I glared at Dario. He was just trying to get into my head. That must be it. “I assume Christian will be getting back Enzo and the girl tomorrow, right?” Dario spoke.

“I assume Luca told you everything, including how to get to them, and had nothing bad to say about me. right?”

“Yes.” I gulped, surprised. Everything he said until now was true, and it made me reconsider my decision on who I could trust. “Do you know why he did that, Serena?”

I shook my head and waited for his explanation. “He did it because he knows Christian will get rid I would try to stop him, and he probably knew that I was going to stop him,” Dario explained. “Lu quick thinker. He must’ve seen this as a perfect opportunity to get rid of me.”

A part of the knew Dario’s words made sense. How come I was willing to go as far as to advise Dario to surrender himself when Luca didn’t?

What if Luca nicknaming Siena a devil’s baby wasn’t just to be funny, but because she was Christian’s offspring? “It doesn’t change a thing.” I spoke. “I told Christian to let you go if you surrender yourself-

“And he will listen?” Dario frowned. “Since when does Christian listen?”

It might sound unbelievable to him, but Christian had changed. He changed a lot, and he was willing to do whatever I asked him to do. “You shouldn’t have come here. How do you know that I won’t call my dad and tell him about your plans?”

“That’s easy,” I shrugged. It was something I didn’t even have to think about. “You don’t want to see me in pain, and I know you’re nothing like your dad.”

Dario’s eyes softened as he lowered his head. “Kidnapping Enzo and Gina affect me too, you know.” I reminded Dario. “People see Christian and me as one. You’re not only going to ruin him-

you’ll ruin me too, and I know you think we’re alike and that you don’t want to hurt me.”

“This doesn’t have anything to do with you,” Dario spoke. “Just please don’t get involved Serena, it’s none of your business, and this is between Christian and me-”

“Stop it!” I snapped. “It is my business. Christian’s business is my business!”

Dario was shocked by my outburst and turned away, so he didn’t have to face me. “Why do all of you have this obsession with him anyway? Can’t you just leave him alone?”

I knew it was a stupid request, but I could at least try. It would’ve made things easier for everyone.

“Christian never told you anything, did he?” Dario chuckled. “About why my dad and brothers got pushed to the side as if they were nothing? I’m the oldest grandchild, so everything is supposed to be mine-”

“And somehow, I still don’t care.” I sighed. I wanted him to be safe, and I wanted to protect Siena and Christian. That was it.

“Franco was so obsessed with the idea of letting his favorite grandson take over the business that he threw my father out as dirt-and replaced him with Lucio instead,” Dario spoke. “Our issue is with Christian.”

“I do not care,” I told him, word for word. I didn’t care about the reason, I just wanted for all of this to end, and I just wanted to move on with my life as quickly as possible. Dario was right. Christian never told me the true reason, probably due to guilt-but that wasn’t my business.

What was the point of Franco’s decision when all he did was going against Christian nowadays?

“Dario, I really don’t care. I came here to warn you to work along tomorrow, because believe it or not-I care about you.”

Dario rolled his eyes at my words. “I don’t even know the combination of the vault. You came to the wrong person.”

He didn’t know?

“Serena, you’re right-I won’t tell my dad because he’s a dangerous person, and I care about you.

Yes, I agree he took things too far with kidnapping and abusing Enzo and that poor girl—”

“So stop it.” I pleaded. He was not a monster, and I could see it in his eyes. I could see fear in his eyes, and it was all because of his dad. I didn’t know anything about that man and whether Luca’s words were true- his fear for Berto seemed sincere. “If you care about me, you’ll stop it.”

“I know you’re not crazy, and I know you know right from wrong. All you have to do is open the door and help us open that safe. That’s all I’m asking from you. So please think about it.”

I had enough of the conversation and prepared myself to leave, but Dario grabbed me by my wrist.

“Serena, you can’t trust Luca-he probably won’t work against you right away-but you can’t trust him!” Dario shook his head.

“W-why are you helping me?” I asked, surprised. The message got through the first time, but he was so determined to get his point across. “Christian is my enemy. Luca is our enemy.” Dario spoke as he released his grip around my wrist.

“Isn’t that even more reason to help me open that vault?” I asked Dario. “You can frame him for it–

“You don’t know my dad.” Dario interrupted me. “He has a plan, and if you ruin that plan and open that vault, we will all go down.”

“So what?”

“You have so much to say about Christian, but he has a bigger heart than you could ever have.

Christian would walk through fire and go to war to save his brother, and he did.” I reminded Dario.

He looked regretful, and I noticed my words were finally getting through to him, but my job was done. He had two options tomorrow, and that was all I had to tell him.

“I’ll see you tomorrow,” I snarled and walked away while Dario called out my name, but I looked straight ahead and kept walking.

I made a stop at my parent’s house to grab a few of my belongings and felt horrible for leaving Siena behind, but it was for the best. “How are you going to sleep tonight?” Carmen smiled as she held Siena in her hands.

“Are you sure you don’t mind watching her?” I asked, but Carmen shook her head with a bright smile on her face. “Hove taking care of her. I just love her.” She smiled as she looked down at Siena.

Siena seemed so peaceful in her arms and looked around as if she was trying to figure out what was happening. “Siena, mommy will pick you up tomorrow.” I pouted, but she could not understand a word and let out a giggle.

“Can I take her for a walk tomorrow?” Carmen asked. I felt terrible at times because that was stuff I was supposed to be doing-but everything had been so hectic that I didn’t even have the chance for it. “Of course you can. You don’t have to ask me stuff like that.” I smiled.

“So.” Carmen yawned. “I heard Christian asked me to move in.”

“Stop.” I chuckled at the innocence in Carmen’s voice. “Don’t tell me you want to move in with us.”

Carmen shrugged her shoulders and kissed Siena on her cheek. “I can’t stay away from her, and I don’t want to be alone with mom, dad, and Luke. We don’t have a bond like you and Beau do, and everyone’s always keeping things from me.” Carmen complained. “Do you know how embarrassed I get when my friends mock me and ask me if I know where dad gets all that money from?”

“Carmen…” I spoke, startled. “Where do you think the Lamberti’s get their money from? Because it isn’t just from clubs and casinos, you know that.”

Carmen opened her mouth to reply but quickly closed it again after realizing there was no logical explanation. She had the same thoughts as I did, and maybe that was why we got along so well.

Christian. wasn’t pleased with the questions I asked, so I took my distance and let him go his way-

but now that I had him in the palm of my hands, all of that was going to change.

“Christian is not my family, so I don’t care.” Carmen huffed. “And after uncle Lucio dies, he won’t be at home anyway, so I won’t even see him.” She spoke. “Trust me. You will need that babysitter.”

I looked up in shock as those words left her mouth. He won’t be at home anyway. Even Carmen knew how it would go, and just for that reason, I was eager to make it work. Christian was so dedicated to Siena, but I was being realistic and knew that he wanted to spend all his time with her because he wouldn’t be able to do so in the future.

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it like that!” Carmen apologized, but there was no need for her to do that. It was the harsh truth. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Nothing?” Carmen chuckled. “Just taking Siena for a walk, and that’s it. There’s not much to do, and I’ve switched to online classes.”

“Why?” I asked, surprised. The last thing anyone in this family needed was homeschool. Carmen was supposed to live a normal life with regular friends. “The questions about dad made me uncomfortable, and they all made stupid jokes.”

I felt terrible, no sixteen-year-old deserved to go through this, and I’m sure that was the main reason for her cold behavior. “Have you ever seen my friends come over?” Carmen rolled her eyes.

“They’re all too afraid-”

“And that’s why you want to move in with Christian and me?” I chuckled. I suppose there was a difference between a scary older man with an even scarier wife and a young couple in their twenties. “Do you think that will help you make more friends?”

“Yes.” Carmen nodded. “And I’ll babysit Siena for the two of you and all your future babies. I don’t care if you make six or twelve. I’ll babysit them all. Just please think about it!”

The desperate look in Carmen’s eyes made me feel bad, and I could tell that this was something she really wanted. “Fine.” I finally gave in. “I’ll talk to Christian.”

Carmen cheered and jumped up and down with Siena in her hands. “But if you are going, Luke is also going!” I made clear. Lita would probably kill me for it, but the last thing I wanted was to separate a pair of twins.

“Siena, do you hear that? We’re going to stay together!” She laughed out loud while Siena joined her.

Maybe it would end up being a good thing for Christian. He wouldn’t throw unnecessary fits with more company in the house, and neither would I.

“I can’t believe this.” Carmen squealed. “I can finally live a normal life, and I don’t have to sneak boys into the house anymore-”

“Sneak boys into the house?” I laughed, surprised. “I don’t know who you think Christian is, but he’s also a dad. I’m sure he has rules.”

“Yes, sure, whatever,” Carmen mumbled and pulled me into a hug. “You’re squeezing the baby.” I laughed at her enthusiasm, but Siena didn’t mind. Maybe her laughter could also change Christian’s mood.

“Can you do something for me?” I asked Carmen, who nodded her head and waited for my question. “Can you bring her over tomorrow evening?”

“For Christian?” Carmen smiled. “Yes, sure, and I’ll stay over right away, okay?”

Lignored Carmen’s words and thought about Christian. He would need Siena after tomorrow.

We had no idea in which state we would find Enzo and Gina in, and judging by Luca and Dario’s words-it wouldn’t be pleasant.

Just thinking about tomorrow made me nervous, and I truly hoped my words were enough for Dario to make the right choice. It could go both ways, and tomorrow could either turn out to be a disaster or a win for our side.

It would all depend on Dario.