His Promise: The Mafia’s Babies by C. Tamika novel Chapter 240

Christian

“Father, mother—what a pleasant surprise!” Berto said as the two followed his eyes.

In the doorway stood the person he despised the most.

Franco Lamberti.

Just as Dario and Christian were about to step closer, Franco stuck out his hand, ordering them to stop.

A shocked Maria made her way to the front to take a better look at her son. “Roberto…” She had difficulty speaking. “What happened to you?”

Christian did not know his grandma as an emotional woman, and as far as he knew, she had bottled up her feelings and had never expressed her loss.

Franco and Maria being on good terms after everything that happened proved for Christian that his grandpa had already confessed his sins to Maria. The two were probably in in together.

He left Berto behind, and Christian could understand why he did that. His uncle was insane.

His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a hard smack. Shocked, Christian ran over to his grandma, holding her cheek, and pulled her backward, realizing the situation.

Berto hit her.

Before anyone could properly process what had happened, Franco pulled off his rings and repeatedly connected his fist with Berto’s jaw. “You sick fuck. I’ll personally make sure you’ll die today!” He growled, but his son was still unamused, carrying the same cocky smirk across his face.

“You made me this sick. You did this to me!” He lost his temper. “I saved Lucio from that fire, but you left me to burn knowing I was alive!”

“And till this day, it’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life!” Franco yelled back.

“That wife of yours was a nuisance. Look at what she’s done to you!”

Worried about the amount of hatred his grandpa expressed towards Dario’s mom, Christian glanced at his cousin who was slowly twisting the ring around his finger. His mother’s ring.

Whatever resentment his grandpa might be feeling against Dario’s mom, Christian did not believe it was the right time or place to discuss it.

“I heard she passed away.” Franco raised his head, scoffing. “Good for her.”

“Are we done, grandpa?” Dario shifted awkwardly, quietly giving Franco a message he did not understand.

“Not quite.” A figure appeared from the dark as the room was filled with the sound of wheels. The mysterious figure rolled his wheelchair to expose himself.

“Dad?” Christian recognized the man.

He clenched his jaw, thinking about how he was the only one surprised and sensed this must’ve been another one of Dario’s surprises.

Rather than angry, he felt betrayed and couldn’t understand how they could even give this ill and weak man a harder time than he already had.

“B-brother.” Berto stuttered. With tight fists, he sat up straight and blinked his eyes. “Is that really you, Lucio?”

Lucio answered with a nod and moved his wheelchair to his brother while Christian stood on the stand-by to jump in whenever necessary. One punch to Lucio’s face would be enough reason for Christian to choke his uncle to death.

Surprisingly, Berto had not shown any sign of aggression and carefully reached for his brother’s face, forgetting about the chains. “It’s really you.” His voice cracked. “I’m finally seeing you from up close after all these years.”

Lucio chuckled. “You’ve made quite the mess, didn’t you?”

“I’m sorry,” Berto mumbled. “Just kill me, please.” A tear left his eye.

Dario balled his fist. “Is this a damn joke to him?” He spoke the words Christian had been thinking all along. “He’s a grown man.”

“Why did you hurt mother?” Lucio asked calmly, resting his hand on his brother’s cheek.

“Mother?” Berto widened his eyes. “I hurt mother? I’m so sorry.”

Christian rolled his eyes, making sure not to buy his uncle’s sad act.

Maria gave it another go and knelt to see her son, her hand suddenly grasping his. “I know you are.” She caressed his scared face. “I know you’re sorry.”

Just like Christian and Dario, Franco stayed behind—not wanting to take any part in this.

“I’m so sorry little brother,” Berto said. “Please take me out of this misery so I can’t hurt anyone else—please.”

Dario snickered. “Oh, don’t you worry about that.”

“Come on, let’s give them a moment.” Franco prevented Dario from destroying his wife’s happiness and pulled his two grandsons to the side. “You should at least let them say goodbye.”

“Yes, I know.” Dario snarled. “That’s why I’ve informed and invited all aunts and uncles so that they can give that man a proper goodbye—“

“You what?” Christian asked, shaking his head afterward. He slowly realized there was more important stuff than wondering why Dario had run off and planned things on his own. These were the consequences of his nap.

“Do you think all of that is real?” Christian beckoned to Berto, wanting to know the question which really mattered.

“Berto is not well.” Franco breathed. “Mentally unstable—so who knows?”

“Don’t get me wrong, he should pay for what he did to my uncle, and I’ll make him pay.” Dario began. “But would it really be alright to kill a mentally unstable man?” He wondered, making Christian laugh out loud.

Serena had always called him out for not having the right to decide over others’ lives, but that was something he had agreed to disagree with.

Keeping someone like Berto and Luca alive would only cause more harm to the family.

Franco cracked his knuckles, chuckling at his question. “Do what you must do, then ask God for forgiveness.” He said. “But I do not want to see this beast alive.”

Act first, regret later.

That was the reason why the Lambertis were where they were at today.

“Good, so that means I don’t have to feel bad when I blow him up the same way he blew up my uncle,” Dario murmured before walking off, leaving the two alone.

Being alone with Franco left an uncomfortable taste in Christian’s mouth. Business remained business, but he could not forget his words about Serena.

“What about Luca?” Christian asked, not meeting Franco’s eyes. “He’s your grandson. Do you give me your permission to deal with him?”

“Sure.” Franco nodded, pursing his lips. “He has to face the consequences for his actions.”

“And Johnny—“

“I spoke with his mother. She knows what needs to happen.” Franco shushed Christian. “It hurts to think this way about my grandson, but I do not wish to create a mini Berto.”

“Will she be here too?”

“No, of course not.” Franco frowned. “I highly doubt she’ll want to see her ex-husband and son in a cage.”

“Of course.”

The conversation was cut short by Christian’s aunts and uncles, who had all entered the room. Christian, who had never been the biggest fan of family reunions, saw that as his cue to leave.

Before he could take a step, Franco held his wrist tightly. “Christian?”

“Yes.”

“Let’s not be like this?”

“Be like what?”

Franco cleared his throat. “I was wrong, and I owe you an apology.” He said. “I was wrong about Serena, so please stay and protect your family.”

Christian was at a loss for words, already having decided to take his distance to focus on his family and leave the business to Dario.

“There will never be someone who loves you more than she does, and there will never be anyone half as good at leading the family as you do.”

‘Tell that to Matteo Alfonzo’ went to Christian’s mind.