Chapter 164

his head as confirmation.

“But thanks for reminding me. I’ll keep it in mind.”

“He followed all of you around for several years and was looking for multiple ways to distract all of you,” Dario spoke. “When you…betrayed Serena-it felt like everything had fallen into place.”

“What do you mean?”

“Provoking Serena, stirring issues between the Lamberti’s and Alfonzo’s.” Dario sighed. “It was all part of the plan, and my dad planned on recruiting the Alfonzo’s, so they could get to the money.”

“But everything fell apart when Serena and I got back together.” Christian realized. “He was back to square one and kidnapped Gina and Enzo instead?”

“Yes,” Dario confirmed. “He wanted to trap you, and he tried to get information out of them. So he took the two people who had reasons to hate you”

“But the only thing was that they didn’t hate me and remained loyal to me.” Christian finished. A lot had happened, but he would never doubt his brother or Gina. Enzo was still his brother, and Gina knew the danger of running her mouth too much.

“What did he want?” Christian asked. “Why is he so obsessed with the Lamberti warehouse?”

“I-I don’t know.” Dario lied, but Christian wasn’t buying it. “Dario!” Mauro called out while Dario flinched “Money.” Dario sighed. “He told me he has money, lots of it.”

“It’s enough to buy anyone’s loyalty. He wants to build an army and remove you as the boss.”

“Not again.” Christian sighed, exhausted. It hadn’t even been a while since Fabio tried to stir issues.

All he wanted was to take care of Serena and Siena in peace.

“How much money?” Christian wondered. “And how did he get that money?”

“That much I really don’t know,” Dario spoke. Christian looked at his uncle, Mauro, who backed up his words and gave Christian a nod.

Christian thought about Serena and wondered if she was able to push his grandpa as far. He knew Franco was known to be a closed book, but he never doubted Serena. She was, after all, the first person he opened. up to because she left him no choice. If everything went according to plan, Serena must’ve known what kind of money he was talking about.

“Okay,” Christian spoke. “That wasn’t that hard, now was it?”

his “What’s your plan?” Dario carefully asked. He knew the true extent of his father’s powers and didn’t want Serena to get hurt. Dario only realized just how serious it was after he requested Christian to protect uncle. Berto had a habit of coming for the things someone loved most, and Christian and Dario both loved Serena.

“I want him to reveal himself,” Christian spoke. “I want to push him so far that he has no choice but to reveal himself.”

“Are you insane?” Dario questioned. It was the same reaction as Beau. Dario knew all too well that his dad was not the one to mess with.

“Yes,” Christian stated. “I’m insane, and I want him to step out and identify himself. I can’t go against a man who won’t even show his face-

“That’s because he can’t,” Dario spoke in fear. “His face…he is not the same anymore.”

“That’s for me to decide.” Christian shrugged. “I’ll rip that mask right from his face. I don’t care-so please tell me what I have to do to make him reveal himself.”

Dario’s jaw almost dropped to the floor as he stared at Christian, who seemed fearless. Dario was convinced Christian truly had no idea who he was dealing with. “This is not Fabio Garcia. You don’t want to get this man out of his cave.” Dario explained. “Once he’s out, it’s over. He’s not the same warm uncle you once knew.”

“And I’m not the same little immature boy he once knew,” Christian spoke, determined. He wasn’t going to let anyone mess with the family, not even his uncle.

“Well.” Dario frowned. “I think you should rethink your decision, but if you want him to reveal himself- just keep doing what you’re doing, and he’ll come to you himself.”

“What do you mean?” Christian wondered. “He depended on Luca and me-and now both of us are gone.” Dario spoke. “Keep doing what you’re doing and he’ll reveal himself.

Christian couldn’t help but smile at the idea of his uncle falling right into his trap. “Christian, don’t underestimate him.” Dario reminded him. “He’s mentally one of the strongest people I’ve ever known. while you’re known to be…”

“A mess?” Christian chuckled. “I’m known to be a mess ever since I got with Serena. That’s why uncle Berto doesn’t see me as a threat, right?”

“Right.” Dario sighed. Christian was well aware of everyone’s opinions about him, but he didn’t care.

He loved Serena for making him human, and he didn’t care how soft she made him.

“I want to thank you for protecting Serena.” Christian smiled while Dario had a surprised look on his face. “I know you kept her by your side because you didn’t want her to be your dad’s enemy.”

Christian words were sincere. Whether Dario was in love with her or not, he would forever be grateful for the way he protected her. Christian knew it was his love for Serena which had eventually pushed him into making the right decision. He was supposed to be angry and jealous, but he couldn’t. He was grateful and admired his gesture.

“Was this all you had to tell me?” Christian asked after he obtained all information necessary. “Yes,”

Dario spoke. “He obviously isn’t at the Orlando mansion anymore, so—”

“Do you know why he hates me?” Christian asked. The same man who used to call him his favorite nephew held a grudge against him, and he didn’t know why. At first, he was happy to learn that his uncle was still alive and had expected to welcome him back with open arms, but that was not the case.

“You have everything he couldn’t.” Dario chuckled. “You have the business, the girl, your baby-your grandpa’s loves you…”

Η “How about dad?” Christian wondered. “How does he feel about my dad?”

Christian looked as the dull expression on Dario’s face slowly began to change into a smile. “He didn’t have a bad word to say about him,” Dario spoke. “He had something bad to say about everyone, but not him.”

Christian sighed, relieved. He could live with his uncle hating him, but he could not live with the idea of his uncle hating his dad.

“Thanks for everything, Dario.” Christian smiled. “I really appreciate your help, and I promise you that I’ll try to end it the good way. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”

“And I also don’t want Serena to give me a speech about how I’m not god,” Christian muttered under his breath, making Dario laugh out loud. “I also got that speech,” Dario remembered. “Just make sure to keep your promise.”

Christian looked at Mauro’s face and could sense that Dario still hadn’t shared everything. Why would he? Christian thought. He placed his hand on Dario’s shoulder while Dario looked at him in surprise.

“I’m sorry,” Christian spoke. Dario’s eyes widened, and so did Mauro’s.

“I’m sorry for what happened to you all those years ago at your dad’s party” Christian apologized from his heart. “No one deserved to be treated like that, and if I had known you were my cousin, I wouldn’t have turned my back on you.” Christian shared. “It’s just that I was a cold person around that time because I was afraid of people pushing me away-and I didn’t want to lose the only people I had by saving you.”

“It was wrong, and I’m sorry. I want you to know that everyone has changed as well, and we’re not immature anymore.” Christian spoke as he pulled out an envelope.

“What is this?” Dario asked, surprised. “A way to fix everything.” Christian smiled. “My dad is nearing his end, he organized a family shoot, and I would like for you to be there.”

“W-what?” Dario stuttered as his hands moved towards the invitation.

“I’ll tell my family about you, so you can see for yourself that they’re not as bad as you claim them to be,” Christian spoke. “My dad met you as an Orlando, but I’m sure he would love to meet you as a Lamberti.”

“Why?” Dario whispered. “Why would you do this?”

“Because you’re family,” Christian spoke loud and clear. “Listen to his words, Dario,” Mauro said.

“I know what it feels like to be alone, and I don’t want you to turn out like my uncle,” Christian spoke.

“1 was headed down that path, but then I met Serena, and she showed me a way to be happy.”

“She made me realize that I’m the one who chose to be bitter. Dario, I’m sure the Lamberti’s would love to meet you-including our grandpa.” Christian told him. “Yes, he’s a bit grumpy-but he’s still our grandpa, and I don’t know what uncle Berto said about him, but he’s a good man.”

“Why?” Dario repeated. “Why would you even do this?”

“Because you’re my cousin,” Christian explained. “You’re my family, which means I care for your well- being, and I don’t want you to be alone.”

“W-what?” Dario spoke, confused. “I thought you hated me.”

“Hate?” Christian chuckled. “I don’t hate you. You’re my cousin.” He repeated. “I don’t even hate Luca.”

“So if I accept this invitation, you’ll properly make me part of this family?” Dario asked.

“Yes.” Christian nodded. “It’s a good way for you to start over and a good way to push your uncle to show himself.”

“I’ll give you time to think about it, but please tell me if you’re in-so I can give my dad a heads up.”

Christian chuckled. “I don’t want him to drop dead next week.”

“Thank you.” Dario smiled, surprised. “I’ll think about it.”

+15 Bonus Christian turned around to leave but got interrupted by the sound of Dario’s voice. “Wait!” Dario called out.

“Yes?” Christian frowned as he turned his head. He was hoping for Dario to share whatever he held back.

“Lucio takes a walk in the garden every day around twelve, and I noticed my dad used to leave every day around eleven-thirty,” Dario spoke. “I don’t know if you can do anything with that information, but I’m pretty sure you can find my dad around the Lamberti estate around that time.”

Christian was shocked by Dario’s words and felt terrified at the idea of Berto getting too close to Lucio. He figured Berto probably wanted to see his dying younger brother and made a schedule so he could at least take a look at him.

“Don’t do anything stupid. I just told you in case you wanted to see him-but…don’t approach him.”

Dario warned Christian. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

You don’t know who you’re dealing with.

Christian didn’t know how many times he heard that sentence, but the message came through.

“Thanks.” He spoke one last time and turned around to leave. “Think about my offer, and I’ll hear from you.”

Christian walked back to the car with only two thoughts going through his head. The first one was about Serena and if she succeeded in finding out more about the warehouse, and the second one was about his uncle.

He was willing to take Dario’s advice and wouldn’t approach him, but that didn’t mean that he couldn’t take a look at him.

“It’s freezing outside. You shouldn’t dress my baby like this!”

Those were the first words that came out of Christian’s mouth as he stepped out of the car and m way towards us.

It appeared we planned it perfectly and came home around the same time. “Stop overreacting. Sh I told him, but my attention moved to Carmen, who also stepped out of the car. I handed Siena ove Christian and stared at Carmen.

“You took her with you?” I whispered. “Why, shouldn’t I?” Christian asked.

+15 Bonus I looked at the bright smile on Carmen’s face and shook my head. A few months ago I would’ve never predicted to see that smile. “No, I don’t mind.” I smiled. Carmen ran over to Siena and kissed her cheeks. “I missed you so much. Next time I’m coming with you, Siena!” Carmen cooed.

“Where is Beau?” I wondered after noticing he wasn’t there. “He went back home to take care of Isobel,” Christian explained. “She called and threw a fit about how he doesn’t love her and how she’s going to kill him once he gets home. Very scary.”

Carmen grabbed Siena from Christian’s hands and carried her inside.

“Were you able to find out more?” Christian whispered while we followed Carmen. “I did. How did it go with Dario?” I asked. It would’ve been so much easier if the two of them got along.

“Great.” Christian chuckled. “You’ll never believe what happened, but long story short-we decided to end our feud.”

“What?” I frowned, confused. It was so unlike Christian to make up with anyone, and also, Dario didn’t seem like the person to let go of a grudge. “I’ll tell you about it. There’s a lot I have to tell.”

“A lot?” I asked, surprised and wondered if 1 had lost the bet. “Carmen!” Christian called out. “Can you watch Siena for me?”

“Yes, sure!” Carmen yelled back. Christian gave me a satisfied smile and wrapped his arm around my waist. “I’m happy to have her here, she’s so helpful, and unlike you, she listens!”

“Hey!” I rolled my eyes and pushed him off as we made our way upstairs. I stopped walking and moved my eyes to the guard who stood in front of the stairs which lead to the other floor. “Are you coming?” Christian spoke as he pulled my arm.

“What are they doing here?” I wondered. “They weren’t here this morning.”

“Oh, that.” Christian sighed while I gave him a daring look. “No more lies, remember.” I reminded him. I knew they were probably there because Christian might’ve feared I would’ve bothered Gina at one point, and he was absolutely correct.

One wrong word and I would kill her.

“Nothing, let’s go.” Christian chuckled and rushed me to our room. He closed the door behind us and pushed me against the wall before he rested his hand beside me. “Is there an issue?” He smirked.

It was like he was asking me to pick a fight with him, and I hated whenever he got like this, but I wouldn’t be giving him the satisfaction-not when we had other stuff to worry about. “No, of course not, Christian,” I smirked back.