The Stench Of Death II

"Ah... you knew I survived?" Sebastien sighed dramatically. "You never cease to amaze me, Dimitri." 

Dimitri quietly studied his childhood friend.

Except for the wonders of age, he hadn't changed a bit. A part of his mind had always bugged him that Sabestien might be alive somewhere. After all, he was the one who pulled the trigger and gave him a narrow escape.

He had barely missed his heart.

"Do you know how long it took me to get back on my feet?" He continued with a snarl. "Do you know what I had to go through? I imagined the look on your face when I triumphantly take your crown. That—" He stomped his crutch on the ground, "—is the only reason I'm standing here today."

Dimitri nodded in the head in resignation.

"It's understandable. But do you want to cause a reenactment of the past that should be forgotten? Where did it take us? We were once friends. Amico (friends) Sabestien." He urged, but Sebastian didn't have it.

He had come with a lot of hatred and vengeance in his heart and wasn't even trying to hide it.

"Friends?" He scoffed. "That was a long time ago. When you and I both shared the same vision for the family. Before you sent a bullet straight to my heart."

"Because you refused to listen! You were losing your way!" Dimitri's harsh voice reprimanded.

Cara peered at them with a confused expression on her face.

The old man was the father of the Greco brothers? From the eerily calm and tense atmosphere, it was obvious that everyone recognized him. Where had he been? Why was he here? More importantly, where did Dimitri come from? It seems she wasn't the only one curious as Adonis spoke up.

"Why are you here, nonno (grandfather)?"

Dimitri ignored him as his gaze remained on Sabestien.

"But you took my two legs, no? Let's put the past behind us; I have waited years to tell you this." 

Adonis let out a small growl. "What are you talking about, Nonno (grandfather)? What do you mean by put it behind us? A hundred years to come, and they still won't give up!"

He was angry! Angry at the situation! Angry at his grandfather. Hadn't he given the go-ahead? Why was he backing out now? An opportunity like this was hard to come by. He had thought he'd use Cara's father's death to break the treaty between them, but he didn't even have to. Fate was on their side.

What else do they need? What was his grandfather playing at?

Sebastien leapt Dimitri.

"It seems like your grandson is more logical than you. We are long past putting it behind us, but if you hand over the crown, this can end easier than we planned." He gestured to the men behind him.

"You know I can not do that. Not everyone is worthy of the crown. Not even you." 

Dimitri's reply only evoked Sabestien's rage. His fury-blazing eyes met Dimitri's calm ones as silence stretched out between the two sides. 

Everyone was alert. They knew what it meant. War was about to begin. This was the calm before the storm. Even Cara could feel the dread from where she was hidden.

Adonis's face remained stoic and expressionless, but his mind was in turmoil. He had thought they were well prepared, but he didn't consider two factors:

The presence of his grandfather and the presence of Sebastien. 

He mentally berated himself. 

How could he have gotten carried away? 

His eyes drifted to Antonio to see that his face still held that annoying, irritating smile. Subtly, he searched for Carlo. If all hell should break loose, neither of them would make it out of here alive, he silently swore. 

The hairs on his skin rose as he felt a gaze trail his every move. Adonis swung his head to the side, and his gaze locked with his grandfather's tender ones.

Everything clicked into place.

No. 

Dimitri gave him a sad smile, and Adonis desperately shook his head at him, losing his composed demeanour. 

The men were confused. They didn't know why their boss was acting out of character, but with one look at Adonis, Luca knew.

"Do not sleep on your feet." He boomed to the men as the tension rose.

Adonis hadn't looked away from Dimitri as they silently communicated. 

It is time. 

His firm gaze replied, No. 

Sebastian exhaled, snapping their attention back to reality as he spoke, "I guess we have no choice." Then with a sharp nod at his son, 

Chaos erupted. 

"Everyone take cover! Men at the front protect your Capo." Luca thundered as his friend lunged for Antonio.

Multiple gunshots could be heard at the same time as both sides fought for one purpose. The family.

They had the same goal but different visions. 

Sebastian was retreating with the help of Carlo. Adonis glanced at his grandfather to be sure he was well protected as he headed towards Antonio. The closer he got, the more men blocked his path. 

It took a minute for him to notice their strategy. They knew he'd tear them apart, yet they kept advancing towards him. He had more men around him than the ones who were involved in the fight.

He realised their goal wasn't to kill him... it was to kill someone else, and they knew it might not be possible with him being free. 

"Luca!" He yelled out and was immediately surrounded by backup.

Finally, he was less occupied and able to think well. 

Who was it? Who was the target?

Adonis's eyes squinted as he glanced around in his frantic search. He didn't know what exactly he was looking for, yet the moment he caught a slight movement far ahead in between the trees, he knew his search was over. 

But it was too late.

The small red dot had reached its target, and in a split second, the bullet hit home.

Cara fell to her knees as a loud gasp escaped her lips. 

Luca watched helplessly with widened eyes. 

The battle halted for a millisecond, and a shudder passed through them all as a roar escaped Adonis's lips.

"Nonno!"

And then, he went on a rampage.