Chapter 234

Christian “So what you’re saying is that it’s impossible to get to her now?”

Christian balled his fist, taking a breath. Hearing his grandpa’s news about his uncle’s many guards did not fit his perfect plan.

He stared at Franco, who had pulled him aside to give him the news as guilt was written all over his face. “All of this is my fault. I shouldn’t have abandoned him like that.” Franco spoke. “We’ll figure something out.”

Christian shook his head. “I will.” He spoke. “You have to go to the hospital. Dad needs you.”

“And I need you to take Siena with you.” He said, knowing it was the safest way to protect her if something were to happen. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll live.”

“Why do I feel like you’ve got something planned?” Franco asked suspiciously. Christian shrugged.

“I will have to kill him. You know that, right?” He spoke. “Dad might not agree, but there is no place for uncle in this world, especially not after taking Serena.”

“No one forced her to do it…she made her own choice.” Franco carefully shared his opinion. “I heard she’s pregnant…again, and that’s nice.” He spoke. “But after all of this is finished—you should break off the engagement and consider sending her back to the Alfonzo's.”

“It’s for the good of the family.”

“Never,” Christian spoke, knowing that his mom and grandpa would rather see them apart than together.

Startled, Franco massaged the back of his neck. “N-never?” He stuttered. “I learned to respect her because she’s always been respectful towards me, and she’s an Alfonzo, but all that girl causes you trouble.” He placed his hand on Christian's shoulder. “Having someone who doesn’t stop making reckless decisions by your side will destroy this family—and I won’t allow that.”

Christian chuckled, lowering his head. He was the first to admit Serena’s decisions weren’t always the smartest, but deep down, he knew she did everything she could to protect him. “What has Serena done that I haven’t?” He asked. Franco stumbled, struggling to come up with an answer.

“Exactly.” Christian shrugged. “If you’re so worried about the state of the family, I’ll take a step back and hand it over to someone else—but I will not be bullied into leaving Serena.” He spoke. “It’s not going to happen, not again.”

“What?”

“If you really want to blame someone for our misfortune, you should blame me!” Christian raised his voice. “I’m the one who approached her. I brought her here to this twisted family, I was too selfish to let go of her, and while you’re complaining about everything, she put her own life in danger to stop your son from killing all of us.”

Franco was speechless. “So you’ve been planning to bail on this family all along?”

“No, I’m asking you not to make me choose.”

“I think you’ve already made your decision.” Franco scoffed. “If you’re not happy with the way things go in this family, then yes—maybe you should take a step back.”

“Do you dislike Serena that much?”

“I warned you she would be your downfall. She’s not good for you.” He brought his lips to Christian’s ear. “She’s dangerous, and she’s an Alfonzo.”

“Is that the way you feel about Siena as well?” Christian’s heart dropped. “Because if you do, I will take Serena and my daughter and distance myself from all of you.”

“Christian, Siena’s got nothing to do with this—“

“If you can’t respect Serena, I don’t need you to be around our daughter.”

Christian’s words were clear and left an awkward atmosphere in the room. “I—“ Franco blinked, shocked.

“You should go. Dad needs you.” Christian spoke, not wanting to make a scene.

Franco turned without saying a word but suddenly stopped in his steps. “Do you still want me to take Siena with me?”

“Yes,” Christian said. “After this, you won’t be seeing her for a while, so I suggest you do.”

Christian had reached his limit and had no idea how much longer he would have to live like this.

Fearing for Serena and Siena’s life, every day, was not what he had wished for.

Minutes had passed since Franco left, and Christian felt hopeless. He was determined to get Serena back today but knew it would not be easy. Everyone knew that his uncle could not be played the same way as they did Fabio and would not hesitate to end Serena’s life the same way he ended Dario’s uncle.

Conflicted, Christian grabbed his phone and searched for Luca’s number. He didn’t want to talk to his cousin. He didn’t even want to hear his voice—all he was after was his uncle, but he did not have a choice.

There were no words to express how much he hated Luca, and after all of this was finished—he had promised himself to give his cousin the punishment he deserved.

“Yes?” Luca answered. Christian tightened his grip around the phone and closed his eyes, annoyed.

“I need to speak to your father.“

“C-Christian?” Luca stammered. “Whatever it is, you can tell me—“

Christian took a deep breath. “Put Berto on, now.” He asked calmly, knowing yelling would not do any good.

It took quite some time, but after a while, he heard a loud cough over the phone. “Ah, Chrissie!” He heard Berto’s voice. “I heard you wanted to talk to me?”

“Uncle.” Christian felt a lump in his throat. He had so much on his mind, but his lips wouldn’t allow him to speak.

“Did you call to thank me for the money and the warehouse?” Berto asked in a cheerful tone.

Christian started pacing back and forth, frustrated he couldn’t get to his uncle as only one thing went through his head.

Was all of this some kind of joke to him?

“You took it too far this time.”

“Me?” Berto burst into fits of laughter. “I was also very surprised with Serena’s brave decision to surrender herself—so I suppose you’d be as well.”

Christian widened his eyes as he slowly realized that it was all part of his uncle’s plan.

The cheerfulness in his tone.

Not moving locations, despite keeping Serena hostage.

Giving back the money and the warehouse.

He realized that Berto had been luring him out of the house and that Serena was the perfect way to do it.

Of course he wouldn’t back down. Christian cracked his brain. He was still after the family business and was just waiting for him to make his move.

“You knew I would come for you, didn’t you?” Christian cut to the chase.

“Maybe.”

“Then quit using Serena as bait. She’s got nothing to do with this.” Christian lowered his tone. He knew that his uncle had nothing to lose and would end Serena’s life in a heartbeat. As long as Christian wouldn’t work along, Serena was of no value to him.

Berto snickered. “I promised to break this family, one way or another—so unless you’re willing to give me the business or trade your life for hers, I’ll count her days.” He said. “And the poor girl just keeps waiting for a doctor, not knowing there won’t be any.”

Christian’s heart froze. “If you hurt my baby…” He felt numb, thinking about the unborn child in Serena’s stomach.

“Then what?” Berto sneered. “Please tell me, what are you going to do? Hurt me?”

“You could’ve taken anyone else.”

“Are you suggesting I should’ve gone for your mom or perhaps your sisters? Because we can still do that.” Berto asked, expecting an answer. “Chrissie, I need you to listen.”

Christian gulped. “I’m listening.”

“I’m sure by now you’ve managed to put together a small group to destroy me—so I suggest all of us can perhaps talk this out over dinner,” Berto suggested. “Or you can always come with an army and watch me blow Serena’s brains—“

“No,” Christian said. “That won’t be necessary. We can talk this out over dinner.”

Christian felt weak and hopeless, knowing his plan had failed before it could even go into action. He felt like a coward for letting his uncle walk over him, but he only had one priority—and that was to get Serena back safely. No matter the cost.

Berto hummed approvingly. “Good choice, good choice.” He said. “I know you’re aware of my location.” Berto cleared his throat. “We eat at eight, no weapons, no violence—and since I’m feeling good today, I’ll allow you to bring along three guests.”

“So you can kill all of us?”

“I just told you, no weapons,” Berto reassured. “I just want to have a nice dinner with my nephew and see if we can come to a mutual decision.”

Christian was smart enough to know that was a lie. All of it.

There was no way everyone would be walking out of that house alive, but he ran out of options. He had already made up his mind as he had always believed Siena needed her mom more than she needed him.

He would protect her, even if he had to die for it.

“I’ll be there,” Christian confirmed his attendance.

“And I’ll be expecting you.” Christian could sense his uncle’s smirk through the phone. “And I hope you bring Dario—because he and I still have a lot of unfinished business.” He spoke before hanging up the phone.

Christian felt his heart raise, knowing his uncle’s unfinished business with Dario involved his head on a stick. Someone like his uncle could never accept the son he had trained to be a monster had betrayed him.

Even then, Christian knew he had no choice. He had made Dario a promise, and now he had to keep it. If there was anyone worthy of watching Berto’s last breath, it was his cousin.

Christian’s mind went to Beau. He would not sit back and wait while Serena’s life was on the line.

Having an Alfonzo present to reassure Matteo was necessary. In the worst-case scenario, Matteo would not agree with the terms and attack with full force, leading to Serena’s death.

That’s why I need Vince, Christian concluded. After everything with Fabio, he knew he could count on him to make sure no one would make a stupid and reckless decision.

There was only one thing Christian couldn’t get through his head.

How could he possibly save Serena without any weapons?