Chapter 116: Feeling Betrayed
Chapter 116: Feeling Betrayed
Adriano
"What caused Raphael to change his plans?" Domenico asked, not commenting on this new information.
I knew this wouldn't be the last of this discussion but there were so many conversations to be had and such little time to have them.
"Once he agreed the love that wasn't there wouldn't be enough to lure Lucas out of hiding, I convinced him that while Lucas did not care for his daughter, he did for his image."
I had no doubt Lucas cared for his daughter with everything he had, sometimes it was the villains of the story who loved the deepest. However, I still used what was most believably to my advantage. Given our father's deep hatred to paint the picture of a man who would abandon his child, only keeping in contact with her because she was his only heir. I told them just this.
"You intentionally had our pictures taken with her?" Domenico was picking up quickly, putting together this puzzle out loud.
"I knew Camilla barely ever looked at the news or tabloids but yes, I made it very clear to the world who she was with in hopes of it spreading to Lucas."
I have hired countless people to steer the paparazzi far away from anywhere we ever went so I simply extended that to Camilla too.
"I took a selfie of me kissing her on the cheek about a week ago and leaked it on social media. I am sure you have seen the countless articles and interview requests popping up about us."
The slight nod of their heads confirmed they saw it but they only understand now.
"I knew I had to make news of our relationship spread quickly and relied on the fact that once word got to Lucas and his people that his daughter is dating the very man they stood against, his entire operation would crumble from the inside unless…"
"Unless Lucas came for Camilla himself and convinced her to join him." Gregorio finished the words I was about to say.
"None of his followers would have faith in a leader whose own daughter chose to be with their enemies over him." Domenico said, mumbling a curse afterwards.
That was it, that was the truth to the lie I can't seem to find a way out of.
"It is only supposed to be a temporary plan until I can figure out a permanent way to keep Camilla out of harm's way but it worked."
Raphael agreed that was the perfect plan to take Lucas down and for the first time in my life, he said he was proud of me. I didn't tell them about how I destroyed my room after I hung up or how Camilla was the only thing that kept me from teetering over a very dangerous edge that night. All I could do was hold my breath as all of our words hung in the air, as well as the fact that we were missing the fourth person that made us feel complete.
Fuck, just thinking about Camilla hurts. I don't know how we were going to get her back or repair every bit of trust that was broken at my hands but I would give everything I had to do it.
"Fuck, Adriano." Gregorio said, running his fingers tensely through his hair before grabbing it in frustration.
I know and when he took a step to me, I prepared myself for another hit but all I received was his arms wrapping me tightly. While I would have let the two of them beat me until I grew unconscious, he hugged me instead and Domenico did the same.
I love them so much.
"We are in so much shit." Gregorio murmured and I couldn't help but agree.
"I don't know what to do." I said, pulling back and looking at the vacant spot of the car Camilla took.
I turned my head back to my brothers, both shooting me a tired yet relentless expression that said all I needed to know.
"I will grab the keys." Gregorio.
We are going to get our girl back and we must succeed at all costs.
***
Camilla POV
Mafia? My boyfriends are in the fucking mafia and I didn't know?
Ever since I really began to grow comfortable with them, I had jokes around and called it their side business but I don't think I could have been more wrong. I am no stranger to weapons, buried fists and even death but the mafia is some next level shit.
Throughout my childhood, one of my first lessons was you either grew a backbone in the town I lived in or you didn't get very far in life. But I remember my father used to tell me stories growing up about the mafia, ones that kept me awake at night, hoping to never have to face a darkness like that. His words are currently echoing in my head, information about what kind of people those soldiers became and the morals they lacked.
Drug, human trafficking, prostitute, robberies and murder. That is what those people stand for and I can't stomach for a single second that the men I have grown so close to are involved in it, they support it. I felt my fist grip tighter around the steering wheel, my foot pressing harder on the gas pedal and allowing the wind to wipe my hair behind me.
I know I am going dangerously over the speed limit but this is all I can think to do right now. No matter what thought comes to my mind, I can't stop the tears from spilling down my face in anger, fear and sadness as I try to piece everything together. I know I shouldn't jump to conclusions but how the hell am I supposed to interpret this?
Does Nancy know? Would I put her in danger by telling her? I don't know what to do but I know I need to calm myself down before anything else. It is just so hard when countless memories flash through my head.
The fateful day I met them, the gun in Adriano's hand, the splatter of blood that flew from that man's head as not a single person there showed an inch of remorse. I thought about the guns my men carried everywhere, the training and knowledge they had that was not required of nightclub owners.
The signs were always there but never once had my head theories traveled to this. I could only blink as more tears flowed, trying to keep my focus on the road even when the truly painful memories flooded in. That night at the club when they first touched me in their office.
That was the first time in years I was able to look at myself with scars and all, yet I feel true beauty and appreciation. That alone made this so damn hard. The fact that I can't hate them even if I wanted to because they were quickly becoming my everything.
The rushing emotions were relentless as they continued to hit me in waves, the same motions happening again and again until I found myself parked on the street outside Nancy's house. No cars had followed me here and with my phone and bag still with them, the drive had been utterly silent with the exception of my sniffles and the hum of the engine.
It was only me and each of my accompanying footsteps as I strode up the steps to the house, wiping away the tears from my eyes as I walked. I didn't even have to search for the spare keys hidden in the flowerpot before Nancy opened the door, a worried look painted across her face.
"Camilla?" She called, her warm eyes flicking over my features. No doubt seeing the redness from my crying.
And that single look, it made me want to break all over again.
"You knew!" I yelled, disbelief circling me.
I was well aware of their years of friendship with her but I hope, as awful as it is. I hoped I wasn't the only one who felt betrayed. Susan is a part of it, Nancy is a part of it and the three men who finally helped me learn what it felt like to be happy again were a part of it.
But the reality is that Nancy should have been at work but she must have known I was coming here and that is why she turned up to greet me, to try and feed me the truth I wasn't ready to hear yet. My words were laced with so much unintentional venom and she physically flinched at my tone.
For some reason, I couldn't bring myself to feel too badly about it though.
Now when it turns out everyone who promised me friendship has lies of their own. I didn't bother to say anything else before I placed their car keys into her hand.
I knew they would come here and I planned to be long gone before that happened.
"It is…" she began but I didn't allow myself to listen to whatever she had to say.
It is like my brain didn't physically let me, my only thought being to get the hell away from here. I could distantly hear her calling out my name but I had moved into my room too quickly for her hand to reach out my arm. Grabbing my keys from the drawer, I side stepped her standing at my doorway before walking down the driveway and into my parked car.
This time, she didn't bother running after me, my eyes catching her figure on the porch for a few seconds before backing out and turning onto the street.
Somehow, I managed to hold back my sobs as I drove away for the second time today. But this time with no destination, I just wanted to get away from everyone.
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