Chapter 121 Camilla’s Pov.
I held my head high as my father's gun was pointed at me along with at least twenty more weapons from his men but I didn't care. Not when it came to Àlvaro. He tried to push me away, cursing for everyone to hear but my arms stopped him once again as I shot him a warning look.
My father's amused expression was erased and replaced with one of fury as he clutched the gun on his hand almost as hard as his jaw. His gaze was darkly fixed on me.
“Enough, father.” I hissed at him, not realizing that my voice could sound so deep and scary. “You want to kill him? Then you have to kill me first.”
“Camilla, get off the way or I fucking swear–”
“No!” I snapped back at Àlvaro, stopping his next words. He fell silent at my sharp tone, his body still standing close to mine. “Everything started because I came into your life. Let it end with me.”
My words were loud and clear and for a moment, I allowed myself to look at Leonardo's men, all pointing their guns at me, waiting for the order to fire.
An order that never came from Leonardo.
I lifted my lips into a smile, knowing my plan worked. I knew my father well enough to know that he would never harm me and if I have to use myself as a shield to save Àlvaro, I'll fucking do it. He will never shoot as long as I was on the way.
“After everything I've done because of you?” His voice was light but still so cold, sounding betrayed. His eyes disappointed with a gun still pointed at me. “And this is how you repay me?”
The bitterness in his words cut deep inside me because I knew that even after everything Àlvaro put me through in the beginning, and what i went through in the hands of Sergei and Vincenzo because of him, I'll still choose Àlvaro unconditionally and without hesitation. Always.
“I'm sorry I'm not the perfect daughter but I would've been if you were present in our lives and not to hell bent on faking your death just to be away from us.” I spoke, choking back my tears. I wanted to look strong even though I wasn't. Àlvaro's body pressed against mine and my back rested against his chest. “But I can't let you do this. I won't let you kill him.”
The room went silent, just us staring at each other for what felt like a decade and just when I thought Leonardo was going to pull the trigger and end it all, a clap came from the shadows of the building, causing us all to turn our attention that way.
And from the dark shadow to the light stepped none other than Vincenzo Castillo himself like a damn ghost accompanied on his right side by Anthonio.
And then, everything went into place and my breath stuck in my throat when the realization hit me. We were fucking played. Santiago was never kidnapped. Anthonio must've posed as Santiago in the video sent to Àlvaro.
The shock was written on my face when I saw Vincenzo stepping forward to stand next to my father with his head held high, together with Anthonio, confirming my worst fears.
My father had been working together with Vincenzo and Anthonio. This is not a meeting to negotiate. This was a fucking purge with no way out.
Àlvaro must've sensed it too because this time, he used force to push my body behind his, protecting me. Then I could see him well. His stone cold face showed so much emotion as never before. Betrayed, furious, bitter, hurt. Everything all at once.
“I told you Leonardo, but you wanted to see it with your own eyes.” Vincenzo laughed, crossing his arms over his chest, looking at us with a hungry look like we were his next victims. “You didn't believe Anthonio when he told you that your own daughter would choose Àlvaro over you. Now do you believe him?”
My father stayed silent but his face was talking enough. He was hurt to see the truth with his own eyes, seeing me ready to take a bullet for his enemy.
Àlvaro shifted his gaze to Anthonio, clenching his jaw so hard as if he was planning her funeral.
“I told you to get rid of her, Àlvaro.” Anthonio's cold voice added. “She only brings death and destruction.”
“You played me.” Àlvaro's voice was sharp like a blade, his deadly gaze fixed on Anthonio and he nodded shamelessly.
“After the way you treated me because of this bitch, I knew I had to take the risk.” He confirmed, driving another invisible blade into Àlvaro. “It was the only solution.”
I looked between the three of them standing in front of us and suddenly our army of men seemed small to me as I saw more of Leonardo's people entering the building, surrounding us. We were in a fucking trap.
This is a planned funeral. Àlvaro's funeral was organized by my father, his uncle and one of his best friends.
“You know what, dad?” My voice broke through the silence, drawing my father's attention to me. “You disgust me. You dropped that low? Allying with the very man you've wanted to take revenge on? You wanted his death for so many years and now you're allies with him?”
All those months I spent with Leonardo, I studied him. We spent day after day planning every little detail for Vincenzo's death. He knew what Vincenzo put me through and how he almost raped me. My father hated him from the bottom of his heart but now he's chosen to ally with him.
“I'll do everything I have to do to protect you.” He yelled back, the vein kn his forehead popping. Leonardo looked like a crazy man, now I believe he is indeed. Àlvaro tightened his grip around me. “I would do even the unthinkable to save you from this monster that has completely brainwashed you.” He spat with hatred, pointing his gun at Àlvaro who didn't even flinch.
“You're the monster here.” I hissed back, no longer holding back the tears in my eyes. “You're a fucking monster with no honour and dignity.”
“Can I shut this bitch up once and for all?” Anthonio's irritated voice joined the conversation.
“You dare shoot my daughter and I'll cut your throat.” Leonardo threatened him and I wanted nothing more than to walk up to Anthonio and give him a fucking punch on the face. “So keep your fucking mouth shut.”
“Get Camilla out of here now.” Àlvaro's voice pierced the silence for his people to hear as he turned to three of his men. “Guard her with your life.”
My heart sank to the ground.
Àlvaro's Pov.
“No!” Camilla protested the moment my men tried to touch her. Her gaze pierced my soul, not knowing that it hurt me more than it would ever hurt her. My whole fucking existence now made sense because of her. Without her, there's no me.
I'm so pathetically obsessed with her that I don't give a fuck about the hundreds of guns pointed at me. I don't care if I die. I'm not afraid. As long as she lives.
“You know I'll find her right after I kill you, right boy?” Leonardo laughed as if he already won the war but what he didn't know was that I'll fight until my last breath for this woman. Knowing that my reward is seeing her beautiful face again and holding her in my arms was enough motivation to kill these men with my bare hands if I have to.
“I've killed thousands of people for the wrong reasons.” I said, loud and clear for everyone to hear. My gaze locked on my pathetic uncle who I could sense from where I stood how fucking afraid he is. “You have no idea what I'm capable of for the right reason and the right motive.”
Their faces fell fast. Good. I like seeing them like that, afraid of me.
They waited for my men to leave the building, along with Camilla who was making it hard for everyone, crying and throwing her hands and feet in the air.
I knew that my uncle, Anthonio and Leonardo were all waiting for her to leave the building before piercing my skin with bullets.
“No!” Camilla yelled again, pulling herself away so hard as she punched one of my men in the face and ran back towards me. I watched her body crashed into mine, sobbing loudly and holding me tight. “I'm not going anywhere without you. I can't lose you. God, not you.” Her beautiful face was smeared with tears as she looked at me with those favorite eyes of mine.
I could only crack a smile as I wiped the tears away from her beautiful face before connecting our lips on a long kiss, soaking up the taste of her lips on mine. I don't care who's watching. Let them watch.
“You have to go, baby.” I whispered, resting my forehead on hers and caressing her cheeks with my hands. She kept crying as she shook her head. “Don't cry for me, chica. I don't deserve your tears. I don't deserve the tears staining your beautiful face.”
“Why are you sounding like you're saying goodbye?”