To Play The Devil’s Game

Chapter 19

‘’The ball is tomorrow Diabla, do you have any contingency plan in place?’’ Alessandro asked.

It's been a few days since the burial and ti say they were still saddened by the don’s death would be an understatement, they were downcast. They still hadn’t gotten over his death because at that moment, they were still in shock over his death.

‘’To be honest Alessandro, i really do not have.’’ Luciana said.

All she wanted to do was get by everyday with little to no stress but apparently. The Fontana’s wouldn’t allow that to happen and Luciana knew she should be prepared for the imminent battle that was brewing.

Luciana took over the family business and it was now a few days after her father died. When she was little and had no mother, she decided that she would live the way her father lived and walk only in his footsteps. She was a very brutal and dangerous leader of the mafia and she loved every bit about it.

Her father had taught her well and she knew she’d be a fool not to follow his footsteps. There were times when she wished that she had the opportunity to learn more from her father but still she couldn’t because it wasn’t in her place and she had no power to bring back the dead alive or to increase one’s life span.

Just before she was crowned the mafia lord, she had killed another mafia lord with her own hands thus earning the trust of everyone that worked under her father making her worthy of their trust and faith. They had no doubt that with her leadership, the Andreas family would even be greater than how it was during her father’s reign.

So far, Luciana had proven her worth and she knew that she could effortlessly take down quite a number of enemies on her own. Her father had taught her well and she wasn’t about to forget all of his teachings.

‘’You’re thinking again.’’ Alessandro chuckled.

‘’I really can’t help it.’’ Luciana sighed.

‘’Well, you should try Diabla.’’ Alessandro said.

Luciana sighed, rolling the ring on her finger. Her father had given her that ring on her eighteenth birthday. It was one of her favorite’s gift and she really never went anywhere without it. It was a part of her and she was a part of it and that would never change.

Luciana’s mind went back to her thoughts. There weren’t many things she focused on, it was just random thoughts that popped into her mind.

For weeks now and even months, she had been ruling the mafia group and she was beyond convinced that it wasn’t an easy task. Sometimes, she wondered how her father was able to rule a group as big as theirs. Luciana wasn’t one to complain but at that moment, she was very tired. Running an empire as big as theirs wasn’t an easy task. The only reason why she hadn’t given up was due to the fact that Alessandro had been a constant support to her for as long as she could remember.

There were times when she wondered what she would have done if Alessandro wasn’t by her side and gave her the much needed advice she needed at times. He was a lifesaver and also a father to her and for that she would be continually grateful to him.

‘’Diabla.’’ Alessandro murmured.

‘’I’m sorry. What was the question you asked again?’’ Luciana asked

‘’I said that you have a contingency plan in place. I’m asking this because i really want us to have a backup plan in case the original place doesn’t go as planned.’’ Alessandro said.

Luciana saw sense in what she said and in that moment, she felt stupid for not thinking about it earlier. The way she saw it, she was so sure that her original plan would work.

The Fontana’s weren’t stupid after all. Asides that, the operation they had carried out in the bank was enough for Reed to recognize her voice but Luciana wasn’t really sure if he could recognize it or not but she wasn’t about to take that risk.

‘’What do you think i can do?’’ Luciana asked.

‘’The way I see it, Diabla, it's either a run or fight situation. If the original plan doesn’t go as planned, the only thing we can do is to fight. I know you wouldn’t be caught in the crossfire but still. That is the only plan i see.’’ Alessandro said.

‘’So i should do that?’’ Luciana asked.

‘’I’m not saying you should do that immediately. The only time that plan comes into play is when the first plan fails.’’ Alessandro said.

Luciana thought about it for a while and she knew he was right. Both plans were brilliant and it would really be difficult for anyone to suspect a thing.

‘’I will do as you say.’’ Luciana said.

Alessandro nodded, downing the rest of his drink in one gulp. He could easily take his drink just like Luciana.

‘’Good. Just talk to me if you need anything else.’’ Alessandro said, rising to his feet.

‘’Thank you.’’ Luciana simply said.

‘’I have some things I need to take care of. I’ll see you later.’’ Alessandro said before walking away from the room.

Now that she was left alone, Luciana could actually think about the ball and the imminent battle ahead. There were times when she doubted herself on whether she could actually undertake the mission but one thing Luciana knew was that she just had to believe in herself because that was the only thing she could do. It was also the best thing she could do and her father had actually advised her on that.

‘’I have to get this right, it's really important.’’ Luciana murmured.

Just then, her phone gave a sharp beep which indicated that she had a call. Glancing at the caller ID, Luciana discovered that it was a private number. Her thoughts went through different people she thought would have that number but nothing was forthcoming.

The only person she could think of that could hide their number was Mateo. He had hidden his number for various reasons and Lucuan knew that it all boiled down to her protection.

‘’Yes.’’ she said.

‘’Diabla, its Mateo.’’

‘’Any news?’’ Luciana asked.

She wasn’t one to beat about the bush and she wasn’t about to begin now. She needed to know if he had gotten any other information about the ball since the Fontana’s were known for pulling up unexpected surprises.

Luciana wouldn’t be surprised if there was even another venue for the ball. She wouldn’t put it past them not to try anything rash. Now that Mateo was calling her, she knew she needed to keep her guard up and not lose focus on the task at hand.

‘’I wouldn’t call it a news Diabla.’’ Mateo said.

‘’What do you mean Mateo? Speak to me directly and don’t cut through corners.’’ Luciana warned.

She wasn’t in the mood for games. Her whole mind was focused on how she would incorporate her plans into action. There were no times for games and Mateo knew better than to mess with her.

‘’I’m sorry Diabla but I just got news that Pablo is sick.’’ he said, finally.

That was definitely news to Luciana. She wasn’t expecting any of that, all she was expecting to hear was that the ball would go as planned. Generally, she just wanted to hear news about the ball and not that the Fontana’s don was sick. To her, that was major news.

‘’How long ago?’’ Luciana asked.

If Mateo thought her question was strange, he didn’t comment on it. Ever since he had been working with her, he had known when to talk and when to keep quiet. He had also learnt that the mafia leader wasn’t one that could be patronized. The best thing to do and the best way to handle her was through diplomacy and patience.

He knew it would be a very bad thing to him if he talked to her anyhow. She could have his head faster than he could say his name and that was something he was trying to avoid at all cost.

‘’About a week ago, on the night of the failed operation.’’ Mateo said.

Luciana calculated the days in her head and she realized that it was actually on the day her father had died. She didn’t believe in coincidences but at that moment, she was quite bothered about it. Something which she couldn’t place her hands on was nagging her. Why was it on the same day that her father died that Pablo got sick?

‘’I see.’’ Luciana simply said. ‘’But this wouldn’t affect the ball in anyway right?’’ she asked.

‘’That’s what I am trying to find out about Diabla. The sudden illness of the head a group as large as this could disrupt many things but i really hope that it doesn’t.’’ Mateo said.

‘’Alright. You find out what you need to find out and get back to me ASAP.’’ Luciana ordered.

‘’Yes Diabla, i will.’’

‘’And i do not need to remind you that the ball is only tomorrow and so we need to act fast.’’ Luciana said.

‘’Yes, i understand.’’ Mateo said.

‘’Good. I await your call.’’ Luciana said before cutting the call.

She placed her phone on the nearby table, ruffling her long jet black hair. This was harder than she had anticipated but she knew that this wasn’t the time to give up. She needed to be strong for herself and the group in general.

‘’You didn’t tell me it would be this hard father.’’ she murmured.

As she sat there, thinking about the imminent battle, Luciana knew that sooner or later she had to address her men. A plan as big as this could go awry anyhow and she needed to inform her men to be battle ready.

If they weren’t careful, the Fontana’s could attack their mansion and her men needed to be ready. After all, her mansion wasn’t hidden, everyone could see it how they saw the sky.

With that in mind, Luciana made her way out. She was a bit woozy from all the drink she had taken but it wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. This was something she needed to do and by tomorrow, the plan would commence in earnest.