To Play The Devil’s Game

Chapter 13

‘’Where is Alessandro?’’ Luciana asked as soon as she came out of her room.

She needed to brief him of everything she had just discussed with Mateo. She needed a backup, someone who would be her eyes and ears here at the mansion while she was at the ball, making sure that everything was in place.

‘’Diabla, he is in the don’s room.’’ a guard said.

Luciana made her way towards her father’s room, wondering what was going on. It wasn’t like Alessandro to go to his room except if something was terribly wrong and from the way she saw it, Luciana had a feeling that something was wrong.

She got to the foot of his door soon, listening in as she tried to find out what they were saying. Luciana couldn’t hear what was said because they spoke in low tones. Whatever they were saying, Luciana had a feeling that they didn’t want her to hear which left her feeling sad.

She pushed the door open, walking in. Immediately, all talks ceased and now, her suspicions were confirmed. They really did not want her to hear what they had been saying.

‘’What’s going on?’’ Luciana asked, walking deeper into the room.

‘’Mija?’’ her father croaked.

‘’Papi.’’ Luciana said.

She gripped his hands, giving it a gentle squeeze. She fought so hard to fight back the tears that had gathered in her eyes. No matter how much she tried to see her father in another light, he appeared so weak and fragile to her.

There was really nothing she could do but to hope for the best. Alessandro who was silent throughout the conversation. He coughed lightly and Luciana’s eyes flashed to him immediately.

‘’What happened?’’ Luciana asked.

‘’I heard him coughing Diabla and i had to rush in here to see what went wrong.’’ Alessandro said.

Luciana stared at her father, sighing as she made her way towards the edge of the bed. She sat by her father, silently assuring him that all would be well,

‘’What progress have you made?’’ the don asked.

Luciana briefed him quickly on what she had done so far and for the first time in a long while, she saw a new light in her father’s eyes. He felt assured and Luciana knew she had to keep up that hope for as long as she could.

‘’I will do everything humanly possible to bring an end to the Fontana’s.’’ Luciana vowed.

‘’I am counting on you not to fail me.’’ the don croaked.

His voice was so weak that Luciana had to put her ear down to hear what he said. The only strength she drew in was in the fact that he was somewhat happy that her plans were going on well.

‘’I will not fail papa.’’ Luciana said.

Soon, Alessandro and Luciana left the room so her father could rest better. In the hallway, Luciana briefed him on what she had discussed with Mateo. She could see some doubt in his eyes which was understandable because he still wasn’t sure about the whole thing. Dealing with anyone remotely related to the Fontana’s was a big gamble and they couldn’t quite trust their dealings but nevertheless, they knew it was a gamble they had to take.

‘’I know i shouldn’t be asking you this but Diabla, can we trust them?’’ Alessandro asked.

‘’To be honest, trust doesn’t matter here. We just have to go with our instincts.’’ Luciana said.

Alessandro sighed as they got to the hallway leading towards different rooms. There was nothing more they could discuss but to wait till the day of the ball, that was where the real action would begin.

‘’I hope all this goes well.’’ Alessandro said.

‘’Me too.’’

‘’How about the operation they are to carry out, The one concerning the bank robbery?’’ Alessandro asked.

Luciana thought about it for a while and decided that they had to begin their plans now. As she thought about it, she realized that there wasn’t much difference between now and Wednesday when their plans would take full effect. They might as well begin now rather than waiting for later.

‘’Mobilize all of our men. We strike as soon as we hear the tip off from Mateo.’’ Luciana said.

‘’Noted. I will begin plans now.’’ Alessandro said.

Luiana left him soon, heading towards her room. She needed to think and strategize on what to do. What they were about to do now was a major operation. This was one of the biggest operations they had ever undergone and Luciana knew she had to think about it clearly so as not to make any mistake. The success of the operation would determine how well their other plans would go and this was something Luciana knew she had to plan very well.

She walked towards her window, looking out of it into the starry night. It was a beautiful night but at that moment there was nothing beautiful in Luciana’s heart. Everything in her heart was chaotic and very strange.

‘’This task i am about to begin is difficult.’’ she murmured.

Deep down, Luciana felt a sliver of fear in what she was about to do. Despite how much she wanted to act brave, she was still scared. She was only a little girl when it came to dealing with big affairs of this magnitude. Deep down, Luciana knew that she still needed a whole lot of help if she was to overcome her fear.

‘’I can’t even deny the fact that i need help.’’ Luciana murmured,

Her eyes glanced at the bourbon that was resting on her reading table. She remembered she had drunk out of it the previous night before retiring to bed. She made her way towards the table, picking up a glass from the table. She poured a healthy portion into her cup, bringing the tip to her nose to have a smell of it.

The aroma from the drink was enough to calm her down. She took a small sip from the drink, squinting her eyes a bit as the sharp taste of the drink assaulted her taste buds. Luciana welcomed the taste. Somehow, it brought clarity to her. She had a feeling that drinks when taken in moderation sharpened the brain and that was exactly what she needed.

Luciana needed her brain to be as sharp as possible especially since she was taking on the most deadliest group they had ever taken. The success of their operation largely depended on how well she handled the whole situation and slacking isn’t something she wanted to do.

She added more drink into her cup, taking sips after sips of her drink. Her mind was woozy, trying to get a bearing of where she was. She felt intoxicated at that moment but she knew there was nothing she could do about it. She needed it and she was going to get as much as she could without stopping.

Just then, her phone gave a sharp beep indicating she had a call. Even in her alcohol induced state, Luciana knew where her phone was. She picked it from the table, her eyes too blurry to look at who was calling her.

‘’Yes.’’ Luciana slurred.

‘’Its Mateo.’’

Even with the way she was, Luciana’s brain refocused. The only reason why Mateo was calling her was to give her more information on the planned strike that was to occur the following day.

‘’Any more news?’’ Luciana asked.

‘’Yes. The attack is to occur at the bank by twelve noon. Not a minute too early and not a minute too late. The Fontana’s work on time and i know you know that so please you really have to keep to that time.’’ Mateo said.

Even with the way she was, Luciana knew that she had to go with all he said. Any slight mistake could cost them a whole lot and that was something Luciana wanted to avoid at all cost. She just had to do what she could do if she wanted to succeed in the operation.

‘’Thank you for keeping me in the loop.’’ Luciana said.

‘’You are most welcome Diabla.’’ Mateo said before cutting the call.

Luciana staggered back to her bed, slumping on it in sheer exhaustion. Her tiredness couldn’t be compared to anything at all and all she wanted to do was sleep and forget all about her exhaustion.

‘’My bones feel weak.’’ she murmured.

Just before she could drift off to sleep, she rushed towards the bathroom to take a quick shower. There was nothing like a good shower especially after a very long and tiring day.

When she was done, she moved back to the room. Her head was a bit clear now since she had taken that shower. Luciana placed her towel on her head, squeezing the excess water out from it.

Now, she could sleep all she wanted without any more things to do. She switched off her lights, crawling under the bedsheets. When she was younger, her father usually told her bedtime stories but not anymore. Now, all she was left with was the grief and sadness the Fontana’s had caused them.

Luciana sighed, staring at the ceiling. Her bed night light was on but her heart was too troubled to think about any of that. Just then, a lone tear slid down her eyes as she thought about what could have been.

If the Fontana’s hadn’t come into their lives, none of this would ever have happened. Now, she was stuck with living in pain for the rest of her life.

The Fontana’s had taken her father’s jewel, her mother and as long as she lived, Luciana would make sure that they all paid dearly for it. No one messes with their family and goes scot free. There were several things Luciana could forgive but if there was one thing she would never forgive, it was a direct attack on her family.

She had lived for this moment, breathed for it and practically dreamt about it and she sure as hell wasn’t going to waste this opportunity. Victory was certain for her team the following day and on the days to come and in that moment, Luciana was determined to destroy them all.