Chapter 80

“Christian, you’re here.” I tried to play it off with a nervous smile on my face and hugged him. He really wwhen he said he was on his way.

“Well, you called me—so.” He spoke and looked around the house. “So how was your day, what did you start a casual conversation. One he clearly did not want.

“Nothing much, just some stuff which shouldn’t concern you—and my dad has this personal assistant fodo not want to get into it.” He spoke as made his way upstairs.

“We should get you more security, every corner of this house is empty.” He sighed as he walked throughopened every door as if he was trying to find something.

“Personal assistant? That’s nice, maybe this guy can—“

“It’s a woman, Serena.” He sighed and made a turn for my room. “A woman? Oh—so when is she startinran to the door, so I could cover it with my entire body. The old Serena would’ve probably freaked out, bthe time to worry about a female assistant when I did not even know whether I’d be alive to experience i

“When all of this is over—now move,” Christian spoke. He wasn’t stupid—and he definitely knew somethon. “This has to do with all those plates from the last time, doesn’t it? Move.” He sighed and grabbed my“Serena, move—I’m not asking you again. Move, or I’ll carry you.” He spoke more gently this time. I tookand moved aside so he could open the door.

“Luis?” He spoke. Luis held his hands behind his back and looked down. He was probably too afraid to meyes. “I thought you were hiding another man in here…a bit older maybe.”

“Serena, what the hell is he doing here?” He slammed the door shut.

“Christian, please don’t be angry with her—I called her to safe me.” Luis tried to stick up for me.

Christiabreath and turned his head to look at me. “What is he doing here? Are you trying to get us all killed?”

“Please calm down so I can explain,” I told him and made my way over to Luis so I could keep him close would touch him. “Yes, please tell me what you’re doing—because I’m a bit lost. What is he doing here?down and looked at me, waiting for my explanation.

Just as promised I told him everything, starting from Luis’ phone call and me breaking out the house to being held as a hostage, Isobel saving the day, and Vince begging me to return him.

“And you didn’t tell me any of this, because?”

Just by the look on his face, I could see that he felt betrayed—but I had my reasons. “Because you wouldbring him back—you know that.”

“And why do you think that is?” Christian sarcastically asked and looked at Luis. He wasn’t even trying tothat he wanted to sent him back.

My head turned to Luis who had a worried look on his face—and all I wanted to tell him was that he wasanywhere. Luis told me he trusted Christian.

“Luis, how about you go and play another game.” I ruffled my hands through his hair before I pulled Chrdragged him to the hallway.

He seemed pissed, and pissed was probably an understatement, but so was I. Even after telling him the eincluding Vince pushing Luis, he still planned on sending him back to that horrible place.

“Beau told him to call me, so he did.” I glared at Christian. It took me some time to realize, but I had oncmy eyes. After Christian had used my poor brother, he had not even noticed that he had gone missing. “he?” Christian’s eyes softened. So now he cared?

“Oh, that’s funny because after he gave you what you wanted—you abandoned him.” I crossed my armsunderstand why he was acting as if I was the bad guy, while we both screwed up. “Serena, if I knew your up somewhere—“

“You wouldn’t have saved him because he’s of no value to you.” I spared myself and finished the sentencdidn’t hear those words from his mouth, I could eventually forget about it.

“Don’t say that, he’s your family—of course, he is. If you had asked me, I would’ve found a way!”

Christiaexpression on his face told me otherwise. “And all of this? It still does not excuse you not telling me anyt“It’s because I can’t tell you anything!” I yelled out. “You’re confusing, unpredictable and who knows wh“Really?” Christian spoke. His sarcasm was starting to bother me, and he had once again proven my poinlike telling you all of this, just for you to call me stupid…again.”

“When have I ever called you stupid?” Christian asked with a genuine curious look on his face. “Are you sHe frowned his eyebrows as if he had no idea what I was talking about. “You have called me stupid on moccasions, told me I lack brain cells and what else.”

“It was all a joke!” Christian defended his actions, but maybe if he never made those jokes in the first plahave been here. “And I’ve never laughed, not once,” I told him. “Jokes are supposed to be funny.”

After I had told him about my true feelings there was an awkward silence, but it was something that hadthe truth. Maybe if he would’ve never made fun of me in the first place—I would’ve been able to fully truLuis is not going anywhere—he’s staying here with me.”

“Have you thought about what will happen if anyone finds out I’m keeping him here? The son of the ene

Whatever he was planning on doing, it wouldn’t work. I would not change my mind. “Serena, I don’t agr—and you’re right, I think you took a big risk in taking him here.”

“See, this is why I didn’t want to tell you.” I spoke and turned away from him, but he grabbed my arm towalking.“Listen, whatever we do, we’re in this together—and if you would’ve told me this from the beginsupported you right away, whether I agreed to it or not.”

“We have five more hours until someone will notice Beau is missing,” I informed him and ignored his wothis together? Right, and that’s why they threw me into a safehouse.

“Five hours? We had everything planned, we still had one week left—but you just had to go and…”

“Ruin it?” I cut him off. “I ruined it by saving my brother?”

“You’ve erased all of Enzo’s wrongdoings for the sake of your family, you forgave Isobel without discussiand now you’re telling me I can’t save my own twin brother?”

“We’re not doing this right now, we don’t have time for this.” Christian turned around and prepared himsend over Luca and Johnny—they’ll give you further instructions and please, I’m begging you—

please d“And Luis?”. After his words I had a pretty good idea of what was about to happen and expected the housecurity within the next hours. Having Luis around a bunch of Lamberti’s would only put his life in dangewhat I wanted. I really hadn’t thought this through.

“I will take him with me, and I’ll keep him safe—don’t worry.” Christian turned around to face me again. irritated and I knew that he was only doing this to keep me satisfied. All I could wish for was for him to nover.

“I know Beau doesn’t want anything to do with your family, but it’s time for him to start talking. I can’t juand tell them that plans have changed because you’ve decided to free a random person.”

Christian explaHe was right, everyone was probably unprepared and would demand answers—but I did still not regret mhad to save my brother all over again, I would’ve. “I understand.” I agreed. “You can reach him through Ito you.”

“Chris.” I stepped forward and held both of his hands. “You have to protect Luis, do not betray me.” I forlooked into his eyes.

“Yes, I know,” Christian mumbled and avoided my gaze. “Christian, if you hand him over to Vince or yournever forgive you.”

“What?” Christian furrowed his eyebrows. He had heard me loud and clear, and I was not going to repeacould only go that far, and I would not be able to forgive him if he would set up an innocent child. Thingand as a parent I could not do that.

“Am I going with you?” Luis appeared from behind the corner. He must’ve heard everything.

Christian opand knelt to pull Luis into a hug. “Yes, I’ll take care of you.” He smiled and picked him up. “Since when dso heavy?”

“Serena—I’ll do everything in my power to keep him safe—so please don’t say something as stupid as never again.” He sighed.

My eyes shifted to the warm smile on Luis’s face. It seemed like Luis trusted Christian with all his heart, wone who had my doubts. “Christian, you also have to stay safe,” I told him and took a step closer.

“So that’s it? No hug, no kiss…no I love you?” I frowned my eyebrows. I was aware of the danger that wa—and that anything could happen. I was aware that this might’ve been our last time together.

“Bleh.” Luis pulled a disgusting look and shook his head in disapproval. “What Luis said.” Christian agree“I’m not saying goodbye Serena, we’ll see you later—right Luis?” Christian looked at Luis who nodded huntil now, he was trying to reassure me that everything would be alright, while not even a few minutes athe fear from his face.

My biggest worries were him not staying true to his words, and turning his back on Luis the moment theWhat if he didn’t care about my feelings and thought I would crawl back to him no matter what?

What if he would betray Luis after all?

“Serena, after all of this is finished we will go home. You, me—and the baby.” He gave me one more smilwalked off with Luis in his arms.

Would we?