Chapter 40: A TRAITOR'S INTENTION.

DANTE'S POV

The night air bit cold into my skin as tension reigned in the air while I stood by the window — watching, patiently waiting for the day I'd have my sister free from the devil's lock.

Father would want that, right?

I took the photo I had tight in my hands to my face as I stared at it. It was already rumpling from how tight I had held onto it.

But it was the only thing I could do for now.

I was lost in thoughts. Lost in the memories of her voice — how her voice rang through every hair, heat or cold with joy while she ran round the house and despite father's playful stern warning or even when it was ever serious — she would still giggle that everyone would burst into laughter.

That was how much joy we had when we were little and that had not just ceased from happening with my parent's death but now — I didn't have my sister to myself.

She was outside and not safe.

My chest tightened once Carlo came to mind. He was going to help me since I had no way but I had to give my sister a price? That was not possible,

I smirked just when my phone rang in cue to my conflicting thoughts.

“At the bar.“ He spat.

There was hesitation from his end and an uneven breath from me that ran through the speaker. Carlo was a snake but then.. a useful one — at least got now.

I put the photo back into my coat pocket as a frown wore onto my face.

He called just right in time, I shrugged my emotions off and walked away muttering; “I'm coming for you, Diana” sadly.

I drove to the bar and pulled up. I stepped out walking into the bar and was welcomed by the quietness of a supposed bar and some notable number of guards hovering in the background curtseying at the entrance.

I ignored, pretending I was unaffected by this mode of welcoming as I let a smirk play on my lips.

The room reeked of smoke and stared bare and every eyes I met were bloodshot red. Did these men not have things to do than clattering glasses and getting drunk?

My eyes still darted around until I found..,

There. Carlo.

And before my brain even approved, my leg had moved from where I stood towards him.

He stood up from the chair he sat to grab a shake with me as he spoke — “aren't you the quiet type, Dante? But I guess even rats learn to whisper deals.“ I heard even the slightest tone of mockery that came from his words, his voice had sold him out too.

I wanted to slap off the grin that spread wide across his face but I bit my tongue instead just so I held it back.

I released a breath as anger was a luxury I couldn't afford and at least — not yet.

I responded in silence that clouded the atmosphere until he broke away from the handshake and stepped back into the chair he had sat gesturing to me to do the same.

I sat, letting my elbow rest on the counter. All I came to do tonight was find even the slightest thing I could hold onto for revenge.

He tossed a USB drive to me and glared as if instructing a servant to check out something. I carried on the gaze for a while but broke it.

This was about Diana.

“What is this?“ I asked, raising a brow while his tongue played in his mouth before he responded.

“Files .. that have mappings, where cameras and guards would be. You have to study that and know how not to sell yourself out.“

I mouthed a thank you that spelt out as if grudgingly as I took the drive to the player and inserted it to it.

The grainy footage plays. I smirked inwardly.

Did Carlo think I was dump that this was old and not anywhere present?

I looked at him, he did too, not looking away.

“This is old.“ I spat making sure to match contact with every gaze his eyes made.

“Yes. But useful, it's almost no different from the new one.“ His voice was suddenly low as he pulled the new footage from his pocket and slid them onto my end.

We stared at each other for a while. Tension reigned in the silence as we didn't break contact even when we gulped down glasses of beer in even malice.

And this reigned until his phone buzzed.

My eyes were sharp enough to have seen the caller ID.

Francesca?

Wasn't that Carlo's sister?

“She doesn't have Amnesia, Carlos. I have doubts about them and I'm trying to get proof but Enzo? He's just too soft and always having eyes around her like a sick puppy even when he has never done that for me.

Carlos eyes spread and caught the inquisitiveness mine held and so he bit his lips lightly as he muttered —

“Your sister seems smart and is up to things herself but we still need to act.“ He muttered taking the phone away from his ear for a while before putting them back and conversing with the other people who wouldn't stop talking at her end.

I gestured to Carlos to put her on speaker of which he did while she kept on ranting on her end. I took the hatred in the way she spoke to heart.

She must not hurt her.

I closed my eyes as I could feel it burn as if there was fire in it. Oh well, I'd burn someone.

If Francesca dared to touch just a strand of Diana's hair, I would make her scream so louder than her conscience ever would.

I was already getting carried away and so I revolted from my thoughts even though it felt like an inner fight on its own.

She hung up the call and I and Carlos still broke no contact.

“I'd get going now.“ He spoke as he stood up from the chair and spread his hands to take mine in a shake of which I ignored to grab a shot instead.

He hissed, walking away but I cared less.

My sister wasn't safe in that house with Carlo's eyes and ears everywhere.

I needed to do something.