Chapter 375

Vincenzo “I thought you’d never ask.” Nico opened the dusty book, flipping through the pages. “Every 4th of the month, there is a secret and private auction held in a secret location.” He said. “The location changes monthly, and you can only get in through special invite.

“How did Fabio get in?”

“Your father went by the name of the peddle man.” Nico pulled a red devil mask from in between the book as a loud cackle escaped my lips. “He was well known and so heavily anticipated, they saved him for last.”

“So he really was a villain?” I grabbed the mask from Nico’s hand, waving it back and forth.

Apparently, he took his job very seriously.

“These are the name of the associates and their phone numbers.” Nico ignored me, showing me a list. “Fabio used to call them from burner phones, made sure they couldn’t recognize his voice With my finger. I scanned through the unfamiliar aliases and stopped at the name of the supposed supplier. “This man knew his identity-didn’t he?” I tapped the paper.

“He did. Nico confirmed. “His name is Marco. He’s a trustworthy man who could take a secret to the grave. He contacted me because he hadn’t heard anything from Fabio in years-and that’s when you crossed my mind.”

“What did you say?”

“That he’s dead…an unfortunate accident.”

“What did he say?”

“That’s he’s not surprised. Nico smiled softly. “I told Marco about his son who is made for greater success, and he told me to tell him to visit.” He shared. “Marco is a busy man, an intelligent man, so he moves around different countries in South America-but as soon as I’ll inform him you’ll be taking over the duties of the peddle man-”

“Wait, no, no, no!” I hurried away from the table, not liking where this was going. “I’ll be destroying those weapons at once, and I will not participate in Fabio’s nonsense.”

Nico went silent before a chuckle left his mouth.

“I’ve heard the Garcia’s reputation has been stumbling so bad-you had no choice but to marry the Morales girl.”

He was not beating around the bush.

“I live comfortably, and I married her for a good reason. Thank you for your concern.”

“Not a soul can live comfortably without getting respected, and it’s not just about you.” Nico sighed.

“You shouldn’t rely on your wife. She should be relying on you.” He took a breath. “What have you done for her?”

“W-what have I done for her?” My lips twitched as I smiled uncomfortably. I felt ashamed, humiliated- because I knew that was the truth.

I had ignored her, treated her like shit-showed zero appreciation towards her, and blamed her for everything. Aria was not an angel, and I still believed for her to be responsible-but this wasn’t all on her.

The wedding had happened because I was too lazy, too tired-to find a way to protect the Garcias.

Instead of motivating myself in order not to go through with the engagement, I made several scenarios in my head, pretending I didn’t want to marry her while I did.

I was leeching off my wife and gave her nothing in return “Depending on the Morales’ can only, get you this far, and you have no idea when that will end, but selling through the black market and referring the buyers, those big names, to the Garcias could gain your power and respect. In days.” Nico continued.

“Did you tell my uncle about this?” I changed the subject, still not wanting to participate in this. It was too dangerous, too risky, and I did not want to be like that man.

“Bruno?” Nico laughed. “Had he known, the Garcias wouldn’t be struggling to maintain their status, and you would’ve not had to marry that girl.”

I joined Nico, filling the room with laughter. Had uncle known about this, those weapons would’ve been back on the black market in no time. Uncle Bruno was like Fabio minus the overly crazy behavior.

“It’s your decision to make, boy.” Nico recovered himself. “I gave you the information and the books, I’ll be leaving the country soon, and I had to pass these down to someone.”

“I’ve already made my decision,” I told him. “I’ll destroy them-

“So you won’t have to challenge Christian Lamberti?” Nico waved me off, clicking his tongue. “How long will it take before you realize the Lambertis and the Alfonzos are only keeping you close to keep an eye on you?” He stated. “After they fell off with your father, they couldn’t keep him in control-so now they’re keeping you in control.”

That statement was questionable as Christian and Beau had been my friends for a long time.

Despite the family feuds, Christian and I had grown up together, and Beau had been a close friend before we knew he was an Alfonzo.

“Cross Mr. Lamberti once, raise your voice at him-and see what’ll happen.” Nico continued as I lowered my head. “He’ll give you the same look your father gave me. He’ll look down on you.” He spat. “Christian Lamberti is not your friend.”

What if he was right?

At lunch, when Aria had exposed her hatred for Serena, Christian revealed this dominant vibe as if we were below him.

Aria disrespected his wife, and I also believed she owed her an apology, but thinking about it-

something about his commanding words and that look on his face did rub me the wrong way.

Who was he to give my wife an order, and why the hell did I let him?

No, Vincenzo-that’s not it.

For a second, I closed my eyes, but all I could see was Christian, who left me on the cold ground to die after Fabio had shot me.

Years ago, I gave Christian the go to end Fabio’s life, and I did it to protect Serena and Beau. Fabio had found out Serena was still alive and planned on killing the twins.

Right before Christian ended Fabio’s life, Fabio shot both me and Christian’s brother.

In unbearable pain and afraid of dying alone, I reached out my hand to him-he stepped back, looked me in the eye, apologized, and moved to his brother, who had a minor injury.

What friend would do that?

I shook my head, trying to erase every bad thought. Christian trying to overpower everyone was not something new, and he also used to do it when we were children. That was just Christian.

“I appreciate you contacting me, Nico,” I got up from the chair, forcing the older man to do the same.

“I won’t be following in my father’s footsteps. I hope you’ll respect my decision-but I do want to thank you.”

Nico stuck out his hand. “I understand.” He hugged me. “I have this contact who destroys weapons in a fast and safe way—won’t get you in trouble with any authorities, Nico spoke. “I can give you his number if you want.

“I appreciate your help. Thank you.” I patted his shoulder, forcing a smile. Dealing with those weapons would be a drag, but I did want them destroyed because I did not want them to get into the wrong hands.

“Fabio hadn’t always been good to you, he’d been through a lot, and he needed mental guidance.”

Nico pulled away. “He should’ve been a better father, he shouldn’t have put his hands on you, and all us grown- ups shouldn’t have ignored it.”

“We can’t go back now, can we?” I shifted uneasy, not wanting to talk about Fabio’s abuse. It was something I hadn’t even discussed with my closest friends. I wasn’t ready to talk about it and I didn’t want to think about it.

Nico walked to a cabinet and grabbed a plastic bag. “This is for you.”

“What is this?” I asked, fearing for the worst. Did Fabio have more secrets?

“He used to write these letters every year on your birthday in this very office,” Nico spoke. “He planned on giving it to you someday, but he never found the courage to.” He said. “He was sure you hated him.”

He was right.

“Fabio wrote this?” I pulled out one of the many envelopes. Sofia’s betrayal hit him so hard that man couldn’t even talk about his feelings, let alone write them down on paper.

“I found some more letters. I don’t know the purpose-but they’re from years ago.”

“I’ll burn them when I get home.” I tightened my grip around the bag. I hated Fabio for all he had done, and I would never stop hating him.

The hatred was not because of the emotional and physical abuse towards me. I hated him for destroying Luis, a sweet young boy who didn’t deserve any of it.

Incapable of making friends and afraid of going outside, Luis locked himself in his room with his video games-and I let him.

That day I yelled at him after seeing those horrendous grades haunted me. It was wrong, not acceptable and I had no idea what came over me.

I didn’t want to be like him.

Ever “If burning those letters is the closure you need-then sure.” Nico dropped the subject. “Keep your head up, son.” He gave me one last piece of advice.

“And don’t be that harsh towards the Morales girl. The way she looks at you is special.”