Let The Game Begin

"Let's postpone the coronation," Adonis announced to his grandfather.

Dimitri's brows pulled down in reply.

"Why?"

Everyone had settled in and things were back to being somewhat normal—if you look past the extra guards and bandaged newly wedded couple.

Adonis has gone all out and doubled the security in the estate. It was the next day after their discharge and the day Dimitri would be returning to Italy. He called in his grandson to ask for updates about the attack when he dropped the bombshell.

Dimitri found it hard to believe the words he had just heard.

Had his grandson become bipolar or was he suffering from multiple personality disorder?

A few weeks back he was pleading for the marriage clause to be cancelled and the coronation to be moved up. Two days ago, he was refusing to go on a honeymoon trip because he wanted to be ready for the coronation.

Now he doesn't want it anymore?

The more he thought about it, the more his eyebrows pulled down, the frown on his face becoming more prominent.

"Talk to me figlio (child), why?"

Adonis wet his lips, glancing at Luca who was by his side.

"These past few days have been very eventful. I think we need time for things to settle?"

Dimitri raised an eyebrow in doubt.

"Is that all? I don't think that is necessary but if you feel so, a few days would be fine. I have to return to Italy today, but I'll be back in a week. We can have it then."

"A week is too close."

"Then when do you want it to be?"

"I don't know yet," Adonis confessed.

He stared at Adonis with a fixed look, then at Luca. His lips pulled together in a disapproving pout.

"Is there something I should know?"

Adonis inhaled deeply before narrating the whole story, leaving out the part where Cara lied and how she might be secretly planning something.

"You know about this Luca?"

Luca concurred. "Yes, Nonno." Dimitri pondered over the news.

He was familiar with the way the Grecos worked and had expected news like this one day. Perhaps it was time to put an end to this feud once and for all, as Adonis suggested. He kissed his teeth in agreement.

"Be thorough. Make your findings. And if it turns out that the Grecos are really behind it all, do not hesitate to wipe them out. Ci hanno dimostrato che non impareranno mai dal loro passato (They have shown us that they'll never learn from their past)." He concluded. "But be careful Adonis. This is for the family. If one person, just one person, should go down because of this, then it'll be all for nothing. What's our motto?"

"Family over everything."

"Good. I best get going now. I'll share the news of the postponement with our allies. You take care of the rest and keep me updated."

After saying simple goodbyes, Dimitri left while Adonis and Luca behind stayed to go over their plans and strategize. Adonis picked up a file and threw it to Luca.

"Go through it. It contains the new security arrangement, their posts and duties. There shouldn't be a slip-up like this again. Have you searched thoroughly? Still, nothing missing?"

Luca looked up from the documents in his hands

"For now, we've found nothing missing. But I feel the amount of guards should be reduced. We're giving too many people access to the estate when they should be streamlined."

"How else would I have my eyes on them?"

Luca paused, a lazy grin adorning his face in realisation.

"You're one crazy bastard Adonis."

Adonis chuckled as he thought back on his decision. The spy situation meant not everyone could be trusted and he couldn't have them all be trailed. Putting them all in one place; would produce better results.

"Lest I forget, have everyone staying in the mansion be watched by at least one guard. They can work in shifts, swap if possible but no one should be left unwatched. I want reports on what they're doing and where they're going. Everything and Anything possible. Nothing should be regarded as too small to report to me."

"Yes, boss. Wait, you mean we should have the ladies tailed? Do you suspect anyone of them?"

"Not really. It's like killing two birds with a stone. They can be well protected also."

Luca's frown showed he wasn't in full support of the idea but Adonis always had his reasons. He didn't understand how he came to that conclusion but decided not to speak of it. He knew Adonis was just trying to be logical but the fact that he might be suspecting Cecelia left a bad taste in his mouth. Tina might not be one of them, and being suspicious of her may be justified, but Cara too?

"The blueprints!" He suddenly exclaimed. "You don't think someone took it from Cara? Maybe that's how they knew every nook and cranny, even the blindspots."

"That won't be necessary. I know who it is, and the blueprints weren't taken. Cara gave it away willingly."

He gaped at Adonis in bewilderment.

"What do you mean? Cara's the spy?

"I doubt it. She's too timid to do it all by herself." Adonis replied, recalling her reaction to the chase.

"I admit that she wanted revenge for her father, that's why, but she's over it now. She might've decided to let it go but that doesn't mean I'd let whoever had been working with her go. Cara's not one of us but the spy is. And he, or she, knows what happens to anyone who betrays the family."

"That just means Cara's working for the Grecos."

"I don't think so. I've been having her tailed."

"And the Grecos? What do we do about them? I can't help but think that this is what they wanted."

"Nothing. Let them do whatever it is they want. When they're done playing, I'll have my fun." Adonis's lips curled to the side, and Luca could tell from the underlying tone behind his words that he meant business.

But still, he was worried. The postponement wasn't easy for Adonis to decide on. It only meant that he was fed up with the Grecos' actions and was going to do everything possible to stop them. This was a good thing but with the recent development he just heard, things were going to get a bit complicated.

Luca sighed, summoning the courage to ask the question whose answer he dreaded.

"What if? Just if Cara is actually in on it. What would you do?"

Adonis held a blank look in his eyes. His answer came in immediately without a minute consideration.

"I don't know. And that scares me because I should know. You know no one comes before my family Luca."

The dangerous unexpected answer brought a small smile to Luca's lips. Adonis feeling conflicted could only mean one thing. He had not been wrong about what he saw the other day.

Could it be that his friend was starting to care for someone?

The telephone on Adonis's desk rang. It was meant for work purposes only, so Adonis already knew it had to be one of the men. He picked it up.

"What is it?"

The line buzzed a little, then the caller spoke

"Capo. There's a Kane Roberts at the gate. He says he's here to see your wife, should we let him?"

Adonis's eyes narrowed and the temperature of the room dropped.

What the hell is Cara doing?