Page 82 of Gamble with Me

"Treatment isn’t working," he replied, his voice breaking into a whisper. "Her episodes are getting worse. I don't know what to do."

"I can use my connections to place her in the best facility in the world," I said, but my suggestion was met with a shake of the head.

"I don’t think it will help, Zyon. Nothing helps anymore." Stefano sauntered to the wooden cabinet, pouring himself a generous amount of alcohol. I used the opportunity to glimpse at Dorian, who unnoticeably nodded and discretely left the room.

"Are your daughter's episodes caused by her fear for her life?" I asked, observing Stefano's miserable face. It twisted when he shoved the whiskey down his throat, but his empty eyes didn't leave my face.

"Do you believe the version she overdosed against her will?" he countered, a tiny flame of life sparkling behind his sad look.

"I know our enemies had a reason for it," I answered, sitting in the big armchair facing him. "Tell me what really happened to Tessa."

Stefano watched me for a moment as if he couldn't comprehend that I was genuinely interested in his daughter's miserable fate. He hesitated, but eventually, he sat opposite me, running his hand through his hair before he started talking.

"Tessa was punished for my decision," he admitted quietly, glancing at the coffee table separating us. "They tried to get to my son, too, but I managed to move him and my wife to Europe. They only returned when it was safe."

"After you agreed with their plan," I corrected him, not moving a muscle when his eyes widened.

"You know," he whispered, his expression changing from shocked to horrified. "Is that why you are here? To kill me?"

"If I wanted you dead, you would've been gone without any warning beforehand," I said calmly, studying him. But I only saw a broken, helpless man.

"What do you want then?" he asked, clearly clueless, which was perfect. If the man who’d known me for decades had no idea what I could possibly want, no one else would expect anything either.

"I believe we can help each other get rid of rats," I responded with a stoic face. "It'll be a beneficial agreement for both sides, ensuring our families' safety."

"If you know who you're standing up against, then you also know it won't be easy," Stefano pointed out dryly, but I saw his interest. He was in an unenvious situation, and I could be his way out.

"Let me worry about that." I stood up and turned my back on him, looking outside. "I just need your silent support and cooperation when the time comes."

"I already paid the highest price for supporting you, Zyon," he uttered, joining me before the high French windows. "I was never interested in stealing from you."

"I know," I confirmed, watching a tiny plane in the clear blue sky. "I also know about other families." I turned to him, looking directly into his sunken brown eyes. "All of you will be rewarded."

"You can't bring Amelia Santangelo or Mateo Baricelli back to life," Stefano opposed, but simultaneously, I noticed hope in his eyes. He knew if someone had a chance against the Five Families, it was me.

"But I can ensure a safer world for those alive," I replied, placing my hand on his shoulder and squeezing it supportively. "After I'm done with them, you'll have the position, power, and money to give your girl everything she needs."

"Or we all die for joining you." He sighed, shaking his head. "This is extremely bold and dangerous, Zyon. If your plan, whatever it is, fails, we will be doomed."

"Have a little faith, Stefano." I smirked confidently, already picturing the greatest victory of my rule. "I wouldn't be risking everything if I wasn't absolutely sure about my success."

"I hope you're right." He exhaled, stretching his hand out for a shake. "Tell me what you need, my old friend."

-39-

Valeria

Icouldn't focus on anything work-related, so I left around lunch to get some rest and organize my thoughts. Alice texted me to meet me at four at our usual spot, and I couldn't wait to talk to her. There was so much I wanted to share with her. Her insight into my current situation was deeply needed after I really started to believe Zyon was my stalker.

Everything in me screamed to follow my instinct and confront him about it, but I was a coward. I couldn't just stand before the embodiment of my darkest fantasies and ask him if he had been stalking me.

It sounded utterly ridiculous, and every time I imagined that conversation, I ended up drowning in embarrassment. I needed another perspective, and Alice was the only person I trusted with my deepest secret.

Parking my car outside my home, I gathered my things and got out, noticing Chester's white Range Rover on the sidewalk. The engine was running, but he wasn't inside or anywhere near it.

Frowning, I unlocked the front gate, expecting to see him at the door, but inside were only parked our neighbors’ cars.

I walked around bicycles, thick ornamental bushes, and trees, feeling my chest tightening. For some reason, anxiety crept up my neck, keeping me on alert. I had no idea what moodChester would be in after I crossed the threshold of our apartment, and I played with the thought of spinning around and running away.