FORTY

The next morning the mansion was a flurry of activity as preparations for James departure were underway. Vincent was up early overseeing everything with his usual meticulous attention to detail. The private jet was fueled and ready and the security team was briefed on their route and protocols.


Lucas stood by the entrance, his hands tucked in the pocket of his baggy blue joggers, his mind still clouded with thoughts of Mia and Marco. The betrayal he felt from Mia was raw but it was Marco's deceit that cut the deepest .

James bounded down the grand staircase, his ever jovial demeanor a stark contrast to Lucas's brooding intensity, “Morning, big bro.” he greeted , clapping Lucas on the back. “Everything set?”

Lucas turned to face James, his expression softening slightly, “Yeah, everything is ready, The security team will ensure you’re safe.”

James flashed a confident smile, “Alright, that's good to know.”

As they made their way to the waiting car, James turned his gaze to Lucas, “Lucas,” James called, breaking into Lucas' thought, “I’ll be fine, stop worrying so much.”

Lucas forced a smile, “I know. Just ……stay in touch, okay?”

James grinned climbing into the car, “Always.”

The drive to the private airstrip was uneventful, and soon they were at the jet, it's engines humming in anticipation . Lucas watched as James boarded, waving one last time before the door closed. The jet taxied down the runway and took off, disappearing into the clear morning sky.

As the jet ascended, Lucas turned to Vincent, “Make sure the team in Italy are on high alert,I don't want any surprises.”

Vincent nodded, “Understood, boss,”

Lucas walked back into his car, his steps filled with confidence and ever authoritative demeanor, the fresh morning wind, blew into his skin, with one hand tucked in his pocket. His mind already shifting gears.

There were too many loose ends, too many threats, too many threats to his empire.

Lucas headed straight to his study. He needed to focus , to restrategize a whole lot of things. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down at his desk, sipping the hot brewing coffee slowly, his mind racing on the incidents that has been going on.

A knock came at the door, pulling him from his thoughts, “Come in,” he called.

The door opened and Vincent stepped in into the study, “Boss.” Vincent greeted.

Lucas set down his cup, with deliberate care, fixing Vincent with a steady gaze.

“Vincent,” Lucas called, “Bring in Mateo and Giovanni,” He ordered.

Vincent nodded, as he left the room to carry out the order, leaving Lucas in the study.

Few moments later, Vincent ushered, Mateo and Giovanni inside. They stood before Lucas, nervousness evident in their eyes,

Lucas' gaze was piercing as he began to interrogate them, about Marco's plans. His voice was low but commanding, “Start from the beginning, What have you heard about Marco's movement?”

Mateo shifted uneasily , glancing at Giovanni for reassurance before speaking up. “We ….we haven't been in direct contact with Marco lately. But we know he’s pulling strings behind the scenes.”

Lucas nodded, his demeanor intense, “What strings? I need specifics, anything you’ve heard or seen.”

Giovanni swallowed nervously, his eyes darting between Lucas and Vincent, “Marco…orchestrated Olga's death. It was his move to start a war between you and Massimo.”

Lucas' eyes narrowed, “I suspected as much,” he said , his voice a dangerous whisper . “You two are supposed to be my eyes and ears, how is it you know nothing else?”

Mateo shifted uncomfortably, “we’ve been trying boss, but Marco seems to suspect us now.”

Lucas mind processed the information, with a raised brow, he asked, “So How did Marco know about Olga?”

They both hesitated, glancing at themselves nervously before speaking, “we ...we informed him,” they both said, their voices barely audible, they were filled with fear and anxiety.

There was silence in the air for a moment, Mateo and Giovanni managed to look up at Lucas, his expression now icy. Finally Lucas spoke, “You both are of no use to me.”

Mateo and Giovanni exchanged alarmed glances, realizing the gravity of their situation. Lucas's next move was swift and decisive. Lucas reached into his drawer and pulled out his polished gun, the cold metal gleaming ominously.

Without warning he aimed and fired, the sound of the shots deafening in the enclosed space. Mateo fell first, a single bullet to the head. Giovanni barely had time to react before he too was dead, they were both lifeless on the floor.

Vincent didn't flinch, he simply nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Clean this up.” Lucas ordered, his voice devoid of emotions.

Vincent nodded slightly, already moving to follow the order. With that Lucas strode out of the study, his expression composed, his mind already shifting to other matters. Lucas walked through the hallway as he made his way to his room.

Almost immediately he entered, a knock came through his door, “Come in,” he said. Oliviia stepped in, her presence instantly softened the room, her eyes finding Lucas leaning on the desk in his room, with a mix of concern and affection.

“Lucas,” She called softly, crossing the room to stand in front of him, “Are you okay?”

Lucas’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, his worries momentarily forgotten, he reached out taking her hand in his, a gesture both possessive and reassuring.

“I’m fine,” he assured her, his voice softer now. “Just dealing with some family drama.”

Olivia gave him a small smile, her fingers intertwining with his, “You know I'm here for you, right?”

Lucas squeezed her hand gentky, his eyes never leaving hers, “I know, pretty doll.”

Just then , Lucas’s phone buzzed interrupting the moment, Lucas brought the phone from his phone pocket, he checked the callers ID, it was Mia, with a heavy sigh he tossed the phone on the bed.

Turning his attention fully to Olivia now, Olivia looked at himself with an intense gaze, “You dont have to do things on your own, you know right? It's okay to ask for help.”

Lucas chuckled, his hands cupping Olivia’s face, “You can’t help with this sweetheart.” He said, as he moved her face closer to his broad chest, gently pulling her into a hug.

Olivia hugged Lucas, inhaling his comforting scents, they both hugged in silence. Lucas realized how much he found comfort being with Olivia, and how he has become possessive of her and couldn't bear to lose her.

“Let's get out of here,” Lucas said suddenly, a hint of determination in his voice, “I need a break.”

Olivia raised an eyebrow, briefly releasing herself from the hug, now looking up at him, “A break, huh? Where are we going?”

Lucas smirked pulling her closer into a hug, “Somewhere far away from here.”