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

Chapter 222

Christian

“What does the letter say?”

All eyes were on Christian as he read the letter which came from his uncle. Nearing the end of the meeting, a letter had been delivered.

“It says he wants us to sign over all the businesses, and if not…we should prepare ourselves,” Christian informed. It was something he was prepared for.

“So, what do we do?” One of the men around the table asked. Christian looked at Dario and shrugged his shoulders. “I guess we’ll just have to prepare ourselves then because we’re not going to sign anything.”

Handing over the businesses which would one day belong to Siena was a no-go. At least he knew Siena’s hotel was safe with Isobel’s family, but he couldn’t say the same about the other businesses. Berto was a direct Lamberti, which meant fighting against him was not going to be easy–but even then Christian was willing to try.

“So we’ll attack a week from now,” Dario spoke in a hurry. “Does anyone have something to add?”

Everyone at the table looked at each other, afraid to say another word. Even Christian had noticed how his cousin seemed to be in a hurry to take down Berto. “No? Then we’re done here.”

All of the men were slowly leaving the room, while Marc, Beau, and Johnny stayed behind. If there was one thing Christian was grateful for, it had to be his friend’s support. His grandpa and his brothers were at the hospital with his dad, meaning he had to work ten times harder.

Out of the corner of his eye, Christian noticed Matteo was headed towards his direction and mentally prepared himself for the scolding he knew he was about to receive. “Christian!” He calledBelonging © NôvelDram/a.Org.

out.

Christian forced a smile on his face, acknowledging Matteo. “I want to thank you for your help. You didn’t have to but—“

“You hurt both your father and me, and you certainly do not deserve our help after hiding something this big from us,” Matteo stated. Christian raised his eyebrows. He couldn’t help but wonder if he had come all the way over here, just to tell him this.

Matteo cleared his throat. “But I don’t want your uncle going after my daughter or my granddaughter, or my son who you’re keeping as your hostage—“

“He didn’t force me to help him. I work for him.” Beau came to the rescue. Matteo glared at his son.

“All I’m saying is that I’m doing this because I don’t want anyone to take away the thing Serena cares about the most.”

“So I’m a thing now?” Christian couldn’t hold back his laughter. He was just as nervous about even considering the idea of his uncle coming after Serena. Despite his nervousness, he did not want to rub off his bad energy onto everyone else.

“I mean, thank you, sir.” Christian quickly recovered after seeing the frown on Matteo’s face. Matteo hummed and left the room without saying another word.

“Your dad is a pain in the ass,” Christian commented. Beau chuckled. “I don’t like him either—but the man has a point.” He agreed. “You haven’t really shown us anything outstanding!”

“Thank you.” Christian smiled. “I can see where you and Serena get your honest personality from.”

Johnny slammed his arm around Beau’s shoulder. “I like his honesty.” Johnny praised him, making Christian sick.

“And I liked it when the two of you didn’t get along…”

“Well.” Marc began. “At least they’re not arguing anymore.”

Christian could agree with that. It was nice to work without having to worry about his cousin and his brother-in-law ripping each other’s heads off.

“Yes, the only bad thing is that my uncle had to die for it to happen.” Dario killed the vibe. Christian could still not believe how the once cheerful and kind Dario had turned out to be the cold stone. It was almost as if the two had switched personalities.

Christian looked at Marc, Johnny, and Beau, who seemed uncomfortable by his statement.

“We should go out for drinks to celebrate.” Johnny tried saving the day. “Everyone but Christian because he doesn’t drink!” He added. “He can drink water…or apple juice, whatever suits him.”

Christian’s attention was on Dario, who clearly had no intentions of partying. “I don’t have anything to celebrate,” Dario spoke coldly.

“I think I’ll pass, thank you,” Christian told the others. He didn’t want Dario to overwork himself and knew that was exactly what was going to happen if he would not interfere. Besides that, it would only remind him of the old Christian who could not give Serena the love she deserved.

“Beau.”

“Yes?”

“Please don’t do anything you’ll regret,” Christian advised him. “I’m speaking from experience.”

Beau shot him a disgusted look. “I’m not as stupid as you, I’m not a cheater, and Isobel has a knife collection.” He reminded him. “But thanks for the tip!”

Christian took in Beau’s honest words as the guys exited the room, leaving him behind with Dario. Can I really get angry when all he said was the truth? Christian thought to himself, smiling.

His thoughts got interrupted by Dario, who stood in front of him. “We’ve still got a lot of work to do —“

“Not today.”

“What?” Dario spoke, startled. Although Christian could appreciate his work ethic, he also knew when enough was enough. After hearing Serena’s words over the phone yesterday, Christian had a clear wake-up call.

There was no reason for him not to visit her or his dad. If he could find the energy to lead all those meetings, he could also find the energy to visit them. Were they really a distraction, or was it just an excuse? Christian had often shared those thoughts.

“Not today…come with me.” Christian smiled at Dario.

“Are you taking me on a date?” Dario mocked him. Christian grabbed his cousin by his arm, dragging him out of the room. “No, the hospital.”

“Hospital?” Dario said. “I know I’ve been a bit off lately, but I’m fine.”

“I know, we’re visiting my dad.”

Christian could not ignore the uncomfortable look on Dario’s face. He knew his cousin must’ve felt just as bad about lying to Lucio, but they did not have a choice. To this day, Christian believed that keeping the truth from Lucio was the right decision, and his dad being in the hospital was the prove for that.

“For all we know, he can drop dead tomorrow.” Christian tried convincing Dario. “He’s your uncle, come on.”

“Okay, yes.” Dario sighed. “I guess I could visit him.”

Not that long after, the two were at the hospital.

“Is it really okay for me to be here?” Dario asked as the two walked through the hospital hallways.

“Of course it is. You’re family.” Christian reassured him. After the two had reached Lucio’s room, Christian looked through the glass window to take a peek at his dad.

A lot had changed. He got skinnier, quieter, did not eat, and spent most of his time sleeping. Christian smiled at his grandpa, who stuck out his hand to greet him through the glass. Even his grandpa, who was always ready for a good fight, had taken a step back to take care of his son.

Christian spotted his two brothers making their way towards him and panicked. If there was anyone who knew how to make others feel bad about this situation, it had to be Gio and Enzo.

“Come on, go in. I’ll give you two a minute.” Christian forced a startled Dario into the room as he prepared himself to face his brothers.

“Well, well—if that isn’t the brother who forgot to inform us about uncle Berto!” Enzo called from afar. Christian closed his eyes and took a deep breath. For how long were they going to continue this?

“I didn’t want to burden either one of you.” Christian faced his brothers. That was the truth. Christian did not want to ruin his bond with Enzo once again, and he did not want Gio to step away from his family. One sacrifice was already more than enough, and because he was the heir, Christian knew it had to be him.

No one else could suffer.

“And how did that work out?” Gio spoke, offended. “Christian, we’re here to share your burdens.”

“We?” Enzo choked in his words. Gio and Christian looked at their brother with unimpressed looks on their faces. Enzo laughed awkwardly. “I mean oui, we are!”

See, Christian thought. Enzo is not serious and way too unpredictable and unreliable.

“I know you don’t want our help—but we’re here,” Gio told Christian. If there was anyone Christian could count on, he knew it had to be Gio.

“I know, but we’ve got it under control.” Christian convinced him. “All you have to do is sit back and watch.”

“We can—“

“No!” Christian snapped. “I need Enzo to focus on…whatever it is he’s doing, and I need you to focus on your family.” He spoke. “Who’s going to be there for dad?”

Gio shot him a grateful smile. “You should also be there for your family, Christian.” He shared some words of advice.

“What?”

“Serena needs you,” Gio stated. “I told you, we’re here to share your burdens. Yes, my wife and my children need me—but Serena and Siena need you.”

“I know, and I’m doing all of this for them,” Christian spoke, annoyed. Enzo gave him an understanding look and patted his shoulder.

“It’s a good thing you brought them with you today.” He smiled.

Christian’s mind went blank. “Brought them with me?” He asked, confused. “A-are they here?”

They couldn’t be.

Gio and Enzo shared a look. “Yes, they were just here to visit dad?” Gio spoke carefully. “And now they’re visiting Vincenzo?”

Christian felt conflicted upon hearing the news. He was glad to hear that they were here, granting him the opportunity to hold both of them in his arms, but at the same time, he was irritated because that was not why he had brought her to her parents. What was the point of bringing her there, if they would just let her run around and do whatever?

“She wasn’t supposed to be here, I think?” Enzo scratched his neck. “I hope we didn’t cause an argument.”

“No, of course not.” Christian chuckled. “It’s just that she wasn’t supposed to leave the house.”

“But since they’re here, I might as well pay them a visit.”