Chapter 210

Christian “Thank you for everything…I appreciate it.” Dario began.

Christian sighed and leaned back in his chair. “That’s what family does. We look out for each other.”

Christian spoke. “Well, most of us.”

Christian’s thoughts went back to his uncle and the terrifying monsters he had created. He had many people behind him and had even managed to brainwash Luca the same he had once brainwashed Dario.

“What happened out there is not your fault,” Dario told Christian. “We did everything together, so when something goes wrong-you shouldn’t have to carry all the burden.”

“Thank you,” Christian spoke, surprised. While others told him that it was not his fault and that it could not have been prevented, Dario was the only person who was able to give him an explanation. “And Luca…he’s stupid, but he’ll come around-I’m sure of it.” Dario told him. “Luca has a good heart. He just doesn’t always know how to use it.”

“I know.” Christian nodded. Luca had always been problematic, but Christian couldn’t deny that he was also the one who was once willing to trade his own life for Serena’s. He regretted shooting his cousin in the leg, but he had brought it upon himself.

He made that decision when he badmouthed Serena.

“Since we’re in this together…what do you think we should do about Johnny?” Christian wondered.

“Serena says that I need to punish him-but I don’t think she understands the idea of losing another cousin.”

“See, that’s where you’re wrong.” Dario disagreed. “What did you want her to do after hearing that Johnny wanted to sacrifice the twins?”

“No, I understand.” Christian rolled his eyes. “I just don’t think that yelling at him will do any good, and I know that Beau will probably kill him if he found out-so that’s why it might be for the best to keep quiet.”

The last thing Christian needed on top of everything was for Johnny and Beau to go at each other.

Beau had an extremely short temper, and so did Johnny nowadays. “I know he has too much pride, but he owes you, Serena, the twins, and everyone else an apology, because believe it or not-Luca wouldn’t even be with my dad right now if it wasn’t for him.”

“And Serena.” Dario continued. “If you don’t do anything. Serena will most likely tell Beau, and we all know how that’ll end.”

“So you agree with Serena? I should’ve figured.” Christian whispered. He hadn’t thought about the downside of it all. He hadn’t thought about Serena’s power to influence Dario’s future decisions.

There was only one opinion that truly mattered to Dario, and that was Serena’s opinion.

“You were just about to tell me something in the hallway before grandpa interrupted us…what was it?” Christian asked. Dario grew a nervous smile on his face and shrugged it off. “It was nothing, don’t worry about it.”

Lies, Christian thought.

He stood up from his chair and made his way over to the opposite side Dario. It was an intimidating stare and it was meant to make one thing clear. At the end of the day, I am still the boss.”

“Dario. I like you as my cousin, and I think we can achieve great things together-but I have to be honest. with you.” Christian spoke. He had reached his limit, and he just couldn’t take it anymore, “What is it?” Dario asked. Christian took a deep breath before he finally said what had been on his mind for a long time.

“If you want this to work out…I need you to stay away from Serena.” Christian spoke loud enough, so he didn’t have to repeat himself. He had expected Dario to have a meltdown, but as always he carried the same polite smile on his face. “I’m sorry, what? Why?”

“She told me she has feelings for you…whatever that means…and I don’t want those feelings to ruin the bond we share. Christian told him the truth. Christian was hopeful and thought perhaps his cousin would pity him.

“The bond you and I share?” Dario repeated. “You don’t have anything to worry about that, I’m sure Serena was confused, and we are just friends.”

“Just friends?” Christian spoke as he looked at Dario as if he had just told him the biggest lie.

“Dario, I’m not stupid. I can see the way you look at her.”

“I’m serious. I need you to stay away from her.” Christian requested one more time. Dario kept his calm and shook his head. “No, why? Is it because you’re insecure?”

Insecure? Just that word made Christian’s blood boil. He believed that he was not insecure. He just didn’t want to choose between his cousin and the love of his life. “Look, I don’t want to start something-

“Then don’t, Dario spoke, annoyed. He had lost the kind smile on his face, and Christian was confused. It was what he wanted, but now that his cousin was going against him-he wasn’t that satisfied.

“It’s just a simple request because I wouldn’t want your personal feelings to be in the way of the family business,” Christian spoke defensively. Dadio seemed offended, while it had never been Christian’s intention to make him feel that way.

“Is it really a request, or are you asking me to choose between the business and my friendship with Serena?”

“No, of course not!” Christian spoke. It was exactly what he was asking from him, but he hadn’t expected for it to be that difficult.

“If Serena and I were to fall from a bridge, who would you safe first?” Christian looked into Dario’s eyes. It was obvious that Dario did not have to think about that question and already knew his answer.

“Serena,” Dario stated. “Because you’d kill me it I would save you first.”

Christian was shocked by Dario’s truthful answer and felt stupid for even asking that question. “Fair point.”

“I would love to share the business with you, but if you’re asking me to choose between the business and Serena…it’ll be Serena,” Dario spoke. He made it clear that breaking his friendship with Serena was not even an option. He had dreamed of the family business, but he would not sacritice his friendship with Serena.

“I never asked you to choose. It was just a request-

+15 Bonus “And your request is denied.” Dario stopped him from finishing his sentence. “Christian, listen-”

“I don’t know where these insecurities come from, but this is not how you fix your relationship. I’ll spare you, and I won’t tell Serena that we even had this conversation.” Dario stood up from his chair while Christian had a startled look on his face.

No matter how he felt, there was a straight line between the family business and his personal life, and this was something personal. He still needed Dario for the future, and Christian could tell that Dario was aware of that. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have rebelled like this.

“Thanks for the offer, Christian and I’m sorry I made you feel that way.” Dario walked out.

Christian placed his hand onto the desk and closed his eyes as he tried to control himself. Going after Dario to pick a fight or to put him straight was the last thing he needed at the moment. He still needed him.

Christian flinched at the sudden hand on his shoulder and looked at the familiar gemstone around his mom’s finger. “What do you want?” Christian nearly growled.

“Well.” Cesca spoke. “He has a big mouth, and he’s clearly not afraid of you-so I don’t understand why you would want to share a business with him.”

“Just drop it, mom,” Christian said. “You won’t understand.”

“Hmm, maybe.” Cesca hummed. “But I do understand one thing, and that’s that you should watch out for him.”

“You gave Serena too much power, and that’s why everyone walks over you. She’s controlling you, and when Dario is just where she wants him to be-she’ll take Siena and walk off with your cousin.”

Don’t listen to her, Christian told himself.

“Serena would never do that. She isn’t like that.”

Christian shook his head as he tried to dismiss Cesca’s words, but there was always that little bit of doubt in the back of his head.

What if?