The Truth Hurts: Part Two: The Twisted Betrayal Duet

Chapter 39

The plan to pull off a surprise birthday party while trying to kidnap the Don of one of the leading families is officially underway. It’s safe to say as I drag my gaze over the living room that everyone is somewhat nervous over tonight’s events. Raf and Enzo have covered all bases of security, even ensuring The Vultures are there as backup should things go awry. Nobody is getting in or out without us being alerted, though that still doesn’t ease the worry over putting Sera back in the spotlight again.

She already has a target on her back, and once again, we’re just throwing her out in the open. Then again, Greco always was a difficult man to get a hold of, so this only proves the lengths Sera will go to get what she wants. Which is essentially me getting my daughter back.

I scrub a hand over the back of my neck, trying to ease the nervous heat crawling up my spine. She wouldn’t have to do this if it weren’t for me. If I’d come clean at the very start, we’d be in a very different situation. Then again, that doesn’t necessarily mean I’d have Gabriella back. One thing is for sure, once tonight is done, once I have my daughter back in my arms, I’m leaving.

I can’t bear the thought of being more of a burden to Bianchi and her crew. It’s clear to see my betrayal still eats away at her, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me. I see the way her gaze lingers on me when she thinks I’m not looking. I know the guys don’t fully trust me and that makes me an extra person to watch out for. I don’t want to be in that position, so I need to take myself out of the equation.

The footsteps that sound from behind me instantly draw my attention, and when my eyes land on her, I can’t stop my mouth from falling open.

Sera is wearing a plum coloured dress that hugs her body like a second skin. The deep purple silk shimmers in the low light of the living room as she moves, and all our eyes follow. She has her long brown hair styled in waves, draped over one shoulder, her makeup dark and smoky. Her plump lips are a matching shade to her dress, making her olive skin stand out further.

As she reaches the bottom step, I hold out my hand for her. Gracefully, she accepts, taking the last step into the living room.

“You all look like you’ve never seen a girl in a dress before,” she sasses, running her fingers through her hair.

Enzo is the first to step forward, his possessive prowess tangible as he closes the distance between him and Sera. He cups her cheek, bringing his lips to the corner of hers. “That’s because no woman has ever looked like you in one,” he growls.

I hate to say that he’s right. Sera looks beyond gorgeous in her silk dress. Every movement attracts attention, every step warrants a look in her direction. She not only holds power in the way she moves, but in the way she commands a room. She doesn’t know it, but right there, she holds every single man in the room by the balls.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Sera asks Raf.

Ever the paranoid fucker, he just nods his head in affirmation. I’m not entirely sure what his deal is, but he avoids making appearances like the plague. He seems to prefer his own company, or more just the company of a place much safer than the outside world.

“I’ll keep watch. I won’t be able to concentrate with all the music, anyway.” It’s a crappy excuse at best, but Sera doesn’t question him on it like most would. She accepts his answer with a soft smile before turning to loop her arm through Levi’s.

“Let’s go party, then.”

Enzo and Luca follow behind the pair, with me taking up the rear of the group. The plan is simple; Levi, Luca and Enzo are going to get to the party ahead of us, and Sera and I will follow behind. We need to leave enough time for Luca and Levi to greet guests and create an atmosphere that will make this “surprise party” a whole lot more believable. Enzo, of course, will remain in the shadows, working with the security team. He can’t exactly show his face just yet—he’s still dead as far as everyone else knows, but it’s only a matter of time before that secret is out.

Sliding into the driver’s seat, I watch Luca clip Sera’s seatbelt in. It’s routine with those two, so damn sweet despite Luca’s grumpy persona. It’s easy to see how much he cares for her, and for Levi, too.

Once everyone is in their respective cars, we peel away from the courtyard. The guys will take the short route, while we take the slightly longer one, just to give them time to arrange everything.

Beside me, Sera takes a deep breath, her eyes averted to the window as we pass the blur of trees and hills. It’s at least a twenty minute drive from here, giving her enough time to clear her thoughts. Though the longer we drive in the silence, the more I worry about her. Now that I’m on the receiving end of the silence, I realize how irritating it is, especially when you want to know every single thought running through that person’s head.

Giving her a sideways stare, I watch as she worries her lip, her cheeks hollowing with nerves. We’re close to Haze now, the city lights signaling our arrival. The roads are busy, but not so busy that we won’t make it to Sera’s club on time.

When I pull into the underground garage, I switch the engine off and let us steep in silence for a moment. Clearly, she needs a breather or a moment to calm her nerves, so I give her that.

“I’m fine,” she speaks to my curious gaze. Though I don’t believe for one second she is okay, I know it’s only a matter of time before she opens up, so I don’t push her.

Sera turns her attention to me, an angry line creasing her brow. “Don’t do that,” she frowns.

“Do what?”

“That!”

A smile lifts my lips slightly. Her snarky attitude lightens the mood enough for me to laugh. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Reading my mind,” she huffs.

“I can assure you, Sera,” I say, keeping my eyes trained on her. “I can’t read your mind.”

“You know what I mean,” she scowls.

I do, to some degree. I can tell when something is worrying her, even if it’s the smallest thing. It’s easy for me to recognize when she’s not quite telling the truth, too. “So do you want to tell me what’s really going on?”

She breathes a sigh filled with hesitation and doubt. For a moment, a peaceful silence settles between us, like she’s trying to decide whether she wants to answer that question or not. Eventually, her eyes lift to mine, softening until there”s nothing but fear swimming in them. It’s the first time in weeks I’ve seen this vulnerable side of her. The first time, since the kidnapping, she’s let her walls down enough to allow me to see the real Bianchi.

“I’m scared,” she confesses in a low whisper that makes my heart clench. “I’m scared that we won’t find Gabriella, and it’ll be my fault.”

Her words take me aback. The surprise that radiates through me throws me off kilter, and soon after, the guilt sets in. “None of this is your fault,” I reply with conviction.

“I’m the reason she was taken.” Her shoulders sag with the weight of her admission. The guilt she’s been carrying is evident as she drops her head. “I’m the reason you lost your little girl.”

My chest constricts. Every breath I take feels like it’s filled with lead, the gravity of Sera’s words, the realization that what she’s saying might be true. As much as I don’t want to think about the possibility, I know there’s a chance that all of this will be in vain. I won’t allow it to consume me, though. I have to believe we’ll find her, that I’ll get to hold my little girl again.

Shaking my head clear of those thoughts, I lean forward and lift Sera’s chin. “We will find her. If anyone can do it, it’s you.”

“Why do you believe in me so much?” she asks, her voice cracking with self-doubt.

“The same reason you haven’t killed me yet,” I whisper my confession. “The same reason you stopped Enzo’s torture. You’re a good person, Sera. You have an immeasurable amount of kindness, even when people don’t deserve it.” There’s so much more I want to say to her, but fear holds me back. All it would take is for her to read between the lines and she’d understand that it isn’t kindness that has me believing in her, it’s so much more.

“You think my kindness is what kept you alive?” She smiles incredulously.

I shake my head, mirroring the way her plump lips lift. “Not at all, but if I told you the truth, I think you’d slap me.” Taking her hand, I close my own around it. “I never wanted to hurt you.”

“Why does this sound like the prequel to a goodbye?”

I purse my lips, eyes dropping to where our hands are joined and tangled. “Because once I get my daughter back, I’m leaving. You don’t need me, not really.”

“Gio—”

“I’m only a burden to you and your crew. An unknown entity. I will forever be indebted to you for letting me live, for helping me find my daughter, but I can’t stay here.”

For a while, Sera doesn’t speak. She watches me with an intensity that could burn a hole right through my chest.

I go to pull my hand away, but Sera keeps ahold of it, her eyes locked on mine. “What if I don’t want you to leave?” she asks softly.

Her words leave me speechless. A second later, her hand is sliding around the back of my neck and pulling me toward her. Her lips greet mine gently, hesitantly. It’s a chaste sort of kiss that has my heart racing and pulse pounding, until the heat of our past encourages me to kiss her harder. Without a shadow of hesitation, she kisses me back just as fervently, like our kiss is the only means of her survival. I feel it in my soul and I’m resistant to pull away from it.

The taste of mint and her lipstick infiltrates my system, sending a bolt of lust straight through me. I let out a groan as she sweeps her tongue against my own. Her lips are pillowy soft, just how I remember them. Soft and inviting; nothing I deserve.

When she eventually pulls away, she’s breathless. Her palm strokes my cheek, a smile gracing those lovely purple lips, but it contradicts the sadness in her eyes. “We should get going. The crowd will be waiting.”

We exit the car and head towards the elevators that will bring us up to ground level. The metal doors ping their arrival and we step in together. The doors slide shut and once again, the silence envelops us.

Sera’s hand suddenly slides into mine, squeezing lightly to let me know she’s still here. Not just physically, but here for me in support, too. “You will always have a place here, Gio,” she states. “You and your daughter.”

The sincerity in her words is palpable. Sera would never lie to me, and I almost consider what she’s offering. But to put my daughter in more potential danger would be a stupid move. I hope Sera understands that more than anything, because leaving isn’t a choice I’ve made easily. It’s just another thing that’s been keeping me up at night since the moment I found out she was taken. I’ve tried to come up with ways to get her back, to ensure her safety. Ultimately, it all comes down to one thing.

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