Chapter 139 Back to San Diego

Chapter 139 Back to San Diego
Carlino's POV

“San Diego? Aiden, have you completely lost your mind? You know I can't go back there,” I said as I headed toward my office, only for Aiden to step in front of me and block my path.

“You have to, Carlino. We already told him we're coming. It took us a lot of words to be able to convince him for the negotiations just to secure this meeting. You don't understand—this man is stubborn. If we miss this opportunity, there won't be another one. We're already at a disadvantage. You have to do this. This is business, Carlino. Your business. Why do you lose all sense of reason whenever Lina is involved?”

That struck a nerve.

Before I knew it, I had grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the side of the car. The impact rattled the vehicle. Aiden grunted as the files in his hands scattered across the ground.

“What the fuck, man?” he hissed.

“Don't you dare, Aiden. Don't you fucking dare talk about Lina like that.” My grip tightened around his collar. “We may be friends, but I won't hesitate to rip your throat out if that's what it takes to keep your mouth shut.”

“Carlino, let go of my collar.”

He struggled against my hold, but it was useless. His muscular build meant nothing. I was larger, stronger, and right now, far angrier. I kept him pinned against the car without effort.

“You will not speak about her as if she's some piece of trash.” My voice dropped into a dangerous growl. “Or you'll suffer the consequences. Tell me you understand.”

“Carl—”

“Tell me you fucking understand.” I shoved him harder against the car.

“Wh—”

One look from me was enough.

He swallowed. “Y-Yes.”

The moment the word left his mouth, I released him. Aiden stumbled forward, adjusting his collar while trying to catch his breath.

Turning away from him, I ran a hand over my face and massaged my temples. The anger slowly drained from my system. After a moment, I looked back at him.

“Look—”

“I'm sorry, okay?” he interrupted. “All I'm trying to say is that if we lose this deal, there won't be another chance.”

I exhaled heavily. “I know. I... I'm sorry for this.” The apology felt foreign on my tongue. I rarely apologized. In my world, every decision I made was calculated and justified. Regret wasn't something I entertained on a daily basis. Ever since what happened five years ago, regret has become a part of me.

“It's fine, Carlino. Should we go?” he asked while straightening his collar, bending down to gather the files scattered across the pavement.

This project was too important. I couldn't afford to lose it because I was running from my past. Because I was running from Lina. Fuck. I was trapped between two battles, and neither one was willing to let me go.

“Fuck it. Let's move.” I brushed past him and headed for the car.

\~~~

Throughout the entire flight to San Diego, Lina consumed every thought in my head. No matter how hard I tried to focus on the project, my mind always drifted back to her. Back to them.

Being in San Diego again gave me the perfect opportunity to check on them, from a distance, as always.

When we landed, Aiden told me that the land owner had travelled and we wouldn't be able to meet up with him today. It got me slightly pissed, he shouldn't have brought us down here and then traveled.

Fortunately, Aiden had already booked hotel rooms for us. After checking in, I threw myself onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. It didn't help. The thoughts wouldn't stop. The need wouldn't stop. I needed to see my girls. If I didn't, I wouldn't be able to think straight.

With a frustrated sigh, I pushed myself off the bed and left my room.

Aiden's room was directly across from mine. I knocked. Several seconds later, he opened the door. The moment he saw me, confusion crossed his face.

“What happened?”

“I'm going for a walk. I'll be back.”

“Carlino, it's the middle of the afternoon. Who goes for a walk in this heat?” He frowned. “Besides, we literally just got here.” Then realization dawned on him. “Bro, don't tell me—”

“First of all, I've told you a thousand times to stop calling me 'bro.' Secondly, yes. It's exactly what you're thinking. And no, you can't stop me.” The finality in my voice made it clear the conversation was over before it started.

“Carlino, what the fuck? We came here for a business deal, not for you to stalk them again.”

I shot him a look. Then I turned and walked away. Honestly, what had he expected when he dragged me back to this city?

\~~~

With my hood pulled low and a cap hiding my features, I left the hotel and headed toward Lina's neighborhood. I still didn't know if she had completely dealt with the problem involving Ruciano. I hadn't asked for any updates since I left yesterday.

Funny. I'd only been gone for a single day, yet it felt like I had been gone for a month. And here I was again. Unable to stay away due to destiny — if I should call it that. I chose to walk instead of driving.

Thirty-five minutes later, I reached her street. And immediately, something felt wrong. My eyes narrowed. A sharp crack echoed through the quiet neighborhood.

Someone had been slapped. Hard. I looked up. Rotha. She staggered from the force of the slap. Beside her, Erla struggled desperately.

A man had both girls restrained, dragging them forward despite their resistance. My blood turned to ice.

What the fuck? I had made it crystal clear during the meeting where I abdicated the throne. That my children were no longer part of the succession. They had nothing to do with the throne. So who the hell thought they had the right to lay a hand on them?

Rage surged through me. Without thinking, I stormed forward. The moment I reached them, I grabbed the man and violently ripped him away from the girls. My fist crashed into his face. He hit the ground hard.

As he lifted his head and my eyes saw him, recognition slammed into me. Ruciano. It was him. Son of a bitch. He had dared to touch my daughters. With his filthy hands.

I seized his collar and hauled him off the ground. The fury inside me exploded. My fist slammed into his face once. Twice. Three times. Blood sprayed from his mouth.

He threw up an arm in a desperate attempt to defend himself. His hand connected with my face, knocking my hood and cap to the ground.

The moment his eyes landed on me, everything changed. The anger vanished from his face. So did the arrogance. What remained was pure terror. Raw fear. His entire body froze.

He stared at me as though death itself had just stepped out of the shadows. I took one step forward. He took two back. Then another. And another.

Within seconds, he turned and bolted down the street like the devil was chasing him.