The Game Changer (Mafia Families #2)

Chapter 12.3 : Ghosts

Lumabas si L sa garden nang napansin niya ang isang taong nakaupo doon. Isa ito sa kambal at alam niyang hindi ito si Gino kasi nakausap ni L si Gino bago siya lumabas. Nakatalikod siya at nakayuko.

"Mabuti naman at nakalabas ka na." sabi ni L.

"So what." Sagot niya na hindi man lang lumingon.

Nagtimpi nalang si L at aalis nalang sana nang bigla siyang magsalita.

"Narinig ko ang nangyari." Sabi niya na nagpalingon kay L.

"Ano ngayon?" inis na tanong ni L kasi ang amo ng boses niya na parang kinakaawaan siya nito. "I don't want your opinion."

"No one deserves that."

"I don't want your pity Luca. You can keep it to yourself."

"I don't pity you." Agad na sagot niya na lumingon kay L. "I think you are strong."

He stared at her eyes like he was looking at her soul. Knowing how broken and fraile she is inside. How making decisions that may cost lives were eating at her. And it scared her. It made her feel weak.

"You don't know me." Napalunok na sabi ni L.

May ibang epekto talaga si Luca sakanya. Hindi niya alam kong ano o kung bakit. There's really something about him that makes her feel.

"I know." sabi niya at tumayo saka humakbang palapit. Parang ayaw gumalaw ng mga paa ni L, hindi niya alam kung bakit. He stopped in front of her. "But I know that many would die for you. You have to do everything to live for them."

Napakunot noo si L kasi parang may nagsabi na sakanya nun.

"Who are you exactly?" hindi alam ni L kung bakit niya iyon natanong.

"It's Gianluca." Sagot lang niya with a bitter smile.

***

L's Pov

"Tell us everything." Sabi ko.

Nasa living room kaming lahat at nakatingin kay Vance. Nandito na rin si Brianna nang sinabi ni Dr. Beckham na pwede na siyang umuwi.

Tumango si Brianna sa kapatid niya.

Vance looked at me from the far wall, as far from us as possible and clenched his jaw. "Don Cartino is in hiding. Kahit pa mapatunayan niyong siya nga ang nagpapatay sa tagapagmana at kay Domenic at Sedric ay wala rin silbi ito kung hindi niyo siya mahahanap."

"At bakti naman siya magtatago? He is not a coward Vance. Alam mo yan." sabi ni Klent.

"Yun ang inaalam ko nang bigla niyong ipaalam sa buong mundo na nagbalik na ang Vermillion. Naalerto ang mga tauhan ko at agad na nagsibalik." Sagot ni Vance at napatingin kay Liam. "Any idea Liam? You are the master of this whole game."

Walang sinagot si Liam at napangiti lang kay Brianna. Vance looked seconds away from charging at Liam.

"Do you think I have any idea Brianna?" tanong ni Liam kay Brianna at mas nagalit lang si Vance.

"I know what you did Liam. Lay a f*cking finger on my sister and you'll know just how dirty my Family can get to destroy you. You Liam. Have no heart. You manipulate. You use us like puppets." Napatignin si Vance kay L. "I will help. I will tell you what I know but I won't be part of this game called the War of the Five Families."

Liam chuckled.

"Is that what I get for helping you? Your empty threats will not help save the stupid excuse you call Family." Sagot ni Liam. "I don't want to be the one to cleanse the De Luca. And like it or not, you are still one of the Five Families."