Chapter 206: 81 On The Mission 1

I turned and smiled at her, feigning enthusiasm. Without warning, she jumped onto me, wrapping her legs around my waist and tugging at my hair. I pinned her against the wall and entered her roughly, channeling my disgust, anger, and hatred into the act. My thoughts swirled with images of her lies and betrayals, and I let that fury drive me.

She moaned and gasped, seemingly enjoying every bit of my aggression, which only confirmed my suspicions—she wasn’t sick. Everything about her was a calculated lie, a carefully constructed facade. I moved her to the bed and flipped her onto her hands and knees, my movements rough and unrestrained. My grip on her hair tightened as I growled low in my throat, imagining all the ways I could expose her deceit.

Her body shuddered, and she cried out in pleasure. The fact that she was enjoying this only fueled my anger. I pretended to reach my release, pulling out quickly as my disgust overwhelmed me. I couldn’t maintain my performance any longer. I sat on the edge of the bed, my head in my hands, while she lay there panting, a satisfied smile plastered across her face.

Her nose was bleeding again. She grabbed a cloth to wipe it away, but I couldn’t stop staring. How could she do this to herself? How could she live such an elaborate lie?

She turned to me, still glowing with self-satisfaction. “I guess going to Celio helped clear your doubts, Theo,” she said, her voice dripping with smugness. “Before, you wouldn’t have touched me. What changed?”

This was the moment I had been waiting for. I forced myself to meet her gaze, letting my bitterness show. “I don’t want anything to do with them anymore,” I said, my tone cold and detached. “Lacy acts like she’s too good for me. Lucahumiliated me in front of everyone—called me a thief. A thief, Karolyn. I’m the one who handed him the position and the businesses, and he treated me like I was nothing. I should’ve given it all to my first sons. Randy and Marco would never have done this to me.”

I shook my head, letting the venom seep into my words. “Luca and Lacy are dead to me now.”

Karolyn sat up, a frown replacing her smile. This was the reaction I needed. She was listening, processing, and, hopefully, buying the act. If I played this right, she’d lower her guard and lead me straight to the answers we desperately needed.

“What about Catalina?” Karolyn asked, her voice curious as she studied my face.

I scoffed, letting my disdain show. “That girl is a disgrace. She ran off with a Russo—a family we severed ties with long ago. It’s humiliating. I can’t even look at her without feeling the weight of her betrayal. If I had the firepower, I’d take Luca down myself and hand the business over to my sons. But all my so-called friends have joined forces with him, so I don’t even have anyone to back me up.”

Karolyn’s eyes widened, and she gasped. “He’s your son, Theo,” she said, her voice soft with an edge of disbelief. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if her concern was genuine, but I couldn’t afford to trust her.

“Yes, he is,” I replied sharply. “And he wants to kill my other sons. It’s either him or them, Karolyn. He’s left me no choice. I’ve already buried one son. If it means keeping Randy and Marco safe, I’ll bury Luca, too. The boy has destroyed everything I built. He humiliated me in front of everyone. You weren’t there.”

I leaned forward, the bitterness in my voice thick and deliberate. “After we spoke, I went to see him. I found out he had called a meeting—one I wasn’t invited to. I swallowed my pride and let it go, thinking maybe I could reason with him one last time. I pulled him aside in the garden, away from everyone, and begged him for help. Do you know what he did? He made a spectacle of it. He embarrassed me. I left that garden furious. Now, I have no choice but to find a way to deal with him.”

Karolyn’s expression softened, and she reached for me, wrapping her arms around me. She kissed my cheek, her tone soothing. “Take it easy, Theo,” she said gently. “This isn’t good for your health.”

I held her close, letting her believe I found comfort in her embrace. “You’re right,” I said, my tone calm but hollow. In reality, my words were carefully chosen bait, and I silently hoped it was enough to push her closer to revealing the information I needed.

After a moment, she released me and went into the bathroom. I used the opportunity to leave the room, heading to the toilet down the hall to clean myself and wash away the lingering feeling of her touch. When I returned, she was still in the bath. I quickly checked on the hidden phone Luca had given me, ensuring it was untouched. It was exactly as I’d left it, with no trace of her scent. Satisfied, I put it back in its hiding place and sat in the living room.

An hour later, Karolyn joined me, dressed and ready to go. She looked at me hesitantly. “I need to step out for a bit,” she said, her voice cautious. “I’m going to see someone who might help with my medication.”

I nodded but said nothing, watching her carefully. She hesitated, then added, “Please, Theo, reconsider what you’re planning to do to Luca. There’s still time to make this right. Don’t do something you’ll regret.”

Her words tested my patience, but I remained composed. “I’m already hurt, Karolyn,” I said flatly. It was the only honest thing I’d said to her since I returned.

She sighed, her gaze softening. “Just think about it,” she pleaded.

“My mind is made up,” I replied firmly. “I won’t change it.”

She nodded reluctantly, kissed me, and left the house. I watched her go, the temptation to call Luca bubbling up inside me. But I couldn’t risk it—not yet. I had to keep the act alive, as if she were still in the house with me. Patience was my only weapon now.

Fingers crossed, I thought to myself as I leaned back in the chair. If all went well, Karolyn would lead us straight to the cult leader. All I had to do was wait.