His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika novel Chapter 220

Christian

“This meeting didn’t go anywhere,” Christian spoke, frustrated. Dario shrugged. “We knew it wouldn’t.” He agreed.

After a discussion that lasted about a week, the two and Franco had decided to give the remaining Lamberti’s a heads up about Berto’s reappearance. “Do you think they’re on our side?” Christian asked.

Once again, Dario shrugged, unable to answer his questions. The look on their faces said enough for Christian, as did the look on his dad’s face. Even from his hospital bed, Christian could not forget the hateful look in his dad’s eyes as he told him his brother was still alive.

“Do you think I did the right thing by keeping it a secret?” Christian continued while Dario released a frustrated sigh. “I don’t know, Christian.” He spoke. “But I think it’s time to move on from the past.”

“That’s easy for you to say,” Christian muttered. Christian knew the business was the only thing Dario had left, while he had so much more. At every decision he took, he had to think of Serena, Siena, and not to forget—his dad. How would it affect them?

“Listen, I think it’s a good thing we’re keeping it a family matter.” Dario shared his opinion. “Berto is probably making preparations for a big reveal, and we should stop him before he can do so.”

We should stop him. For some reason, those words didn’t sit right with Christian. Although killing his uncle, his own blood—could be seen as a lame move, Christian had run out of options, and so did Dario.

Other than Franco, the other Lamberti’s who thought the two were just trying to stop Berto from getting his hands on the business were not aware that they had planned on taking his life as well. There was no other way to take care of this situation.

“How is your dad doing?” Dario wondered. “Is he still angry?”

“Yes, but that’s on me.” Christian defended him. “I decided to lie to him, and I didn’t tell him the truth—so all of that is on me.”

Dario chuckled. “You’ve changed.”

“I’ve changed?” Christian asked, surprised. “How?”

“I don’t know,” Dario spoke. “You seem more understanding and mature.”

“It’s because I had to,” Christian stated, realizing he did not have a choice. Lucio’s health was declining, and the entire family needed someone to rely on. This was his duty.

Christian observed the calm expression on Dario’s face. “How are you holding up?”

He thought about the letter which Dario’s uncle had left for him. From the letter, it was clear that his uncle knew he would be the sacrifice for Dario’s betrayal, and he did not seem to mind. His final instructions were clear. Dario could not lose this battle, no matter what.

“I’m good. I just want to get it over with.” Dario sighed, not in the mood to talk about his uncle.

Christian nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

Although their pains were different, he could still relate to his cousin. Just like Dario avoided his uncle’s death, Christian was in deep denial about Lucio’s condition. It was only Serena who had shown him that it was okay to be scared.

Christian smiled at the thought of Serena. He felt bad for sending her away, and he could tell that she did not want to be apart from him. Waking up without Siena’s cries or Serena’s snores was not what he had signed up for.

“Hey, I told Serena about everything,” Christian confessed.

“Everything?”

Christian lowered his head. “About how I told you to keep your distance from her.” He spoke, embarrassed.

“Don’t worry about that—“

“No, it was wrong, and I owe you an apology.” He stood by his point. “Ever since we’ve started working together, you’ve been nothing but kind to me—and you didn’t deserve to be treated that way.”

“That’s true,” Dario admitted. Christian was aware of his rude behavior and wanted to change for the better. He had promised Dario to protect his uncle but failed, and if there was one thing he had promised himself, it was not to let him down ever again. From now on, he was going to treat him like a brother.

“So, if you want to hang out with Serena, I won’t stop you,” Christian spoke with an uncomfortable pit in his stomach. The feeling of jealousy would never vanish, but it was something he somehow had to learn to live with.

“Thanks.” Dario shot him a bright smile. “Also, I want you to know that I’m not a threat to you—“

“Oh, I know that.”

The two shared a laugh. “So, how is Serena doing?”

“Considering everything she’s been through…fine,” Christian told him. “Serena is a strong person.”

“Is she at her parents?”

“Yes, she’s safe.”

“Good,” Dario spoke, relieved. “And she will stay safe?”

“What do you mean by that?” Christian frowned as he could not understand Dario’s intentions. Why wouldn’t he keep her safe?

Dario took a breath. “Look, I know you used Serena as bait to get to Fabio Garcia—“

“And I won’t do it again,” Christian stated. “Fabio Garcia was too easy, too predictable…Berto, on the other hand.”

Berto’s interest in Serena was what had scared him the most. Christian had quickly realized that his uncle was an unpredictable demon who was capable of doing anything—including blowing up an innocent man.