Free Web NovelChapter 157: Find the mole instead?
"I landed in Italy last night and started digging," Bastien spoke. "I’ve turned up something you aren’t going to like. Martin has eyes on you, Luca. Someone in your inner circle is watching every move of yours."
Luca’s grip tightened on the phone.
"I’ve scanned my security every day," Luca replied. "Everything has looked clean. Everyone around me is trustworthy. Do you have a name? Is it one of my own men?"
"I don’t have a face yet," Bastien admitted. "I managed to tap a feed coming directly out of their base. I heard Martin briefing his people, Luca. He said they’re planning an attack ’in a way you won’t imagine.’ It sounded dangerous to me."
Luca remained silent, contemplating who could be around him ready to betray him. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"Listen," Bastien continued, "why are we playing this game with Martin? Why drag him all the way to Spain and risk a bloodbath on your home turf? Give me the word, Luca. I can end Martin right here in Italy tonight. You know that I don’t miss my target."
Luca wanted Martin alive to solve the mystery of his grandfather’s murder. And if he ordered Bastien to finish him, then Luca might not able to find the answers he had been searching for years.
"I’ll be in Rome tonight. Let’s end him together," Luca stated.
"You’ve a house party," Bastien reminded him. "Your absence would be noted by exactly the people we need to keep in the dark."
"After finishing it, I’ll come straight to you," Luca answered. freeweɓnovel.cѳm
Bastien leaned against the couch in the suite. "Why don’t you find the mole instead? That is the leak sinking our ship. If you want Martin, I can bring him to you, where your inner circle won’t be tainted by his presence," Bastien countered.
He checked his watch. "I can bring him to you tonight. But in my eyes, the best tactical move is to end Martin right in his own base."
Bastien stood up, his coat already in hand. "You have one hour to decide. I’m heading to his coordinates regardless. Either I bring him to you, or I end him there. Give me your answer in an hour."
Luca let out a heavy sigh. "Hmm," he murmured before lowering the phone.
Sara walked back into the room but she stopped the moment she saw his face. She moved to his side immediately.
"What happened? Whose call was that?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
"Sara, someone close to me is going to harm us," Luca confided.
"What?" Sara’s eyes widened, her breath hitching at the revelation. "Explain to me. What do you mean someone close to you..." She trailed off as Luca gently took her by the shoulders, guiding her to the recliner. He made her sit on it.
"Sara, what if I go to Italy now?" Luca asked, searching her face.
"Huh?" She stared into his eyes, completely bewildered by the sudden shift. "Italy? Now? Luca, you’re not making sense."
Luca sat beside her, his hand covering hers. He began to recount everything Bastien had shared.
"That means Martin sent a mole to watch you a long time ago," Sara concluded, her voice trembling slightly.
"Then why didn’t he attack me all this time? Why wait for this moment?" Luca questioned, his brow furrowed in a confused gaze.
"Maybe they wanted something from you all this time. As far as I know you are close to Remo, Marco and Fabio. But the three of them are harmless. In the house, you have servants who served you for years," Sara stated, trying to make sense of the truth that had thrown to Luca.
She then looked at her husband, who suddenly had gone quiet.
"Luca, I thought you wanted to pull out Martin from his hiding place. Then, why do you want to go there? What’s going on in your mind?" asked Sara.
"Martin was close to my grandfather once," Luca clarified, his voice heavy with the weight of the past. "They eventually became rivals, no, enemies. I used to think Martin might be as clueless as we were about who killed him, but something has shifted. I feel certain now that he knows exactly who was behind it."
"Then you have to go," Sara stated firmly.
"I know. But I can’t leave things like this," Luca admitted, his frustration mounting. "Who is the mole? Fabio has been with me for years; he started as an intern before I made him my secretary. And Remo and Marco... They’re my childhood friends. We grew up together."
"Do you trust Fabio completely?" Sara asked, her gaze piercing. "If Martin has been hiding in the shadows all this time, and Bastien is only just uncovering the truth, we have to question everyone. You cannot step foot in Italy until you eliminate the threat lurking in your own surroundings."
Luca nodded, the logic of her words cutting through his confusion.
"I think you should have Bastien bring Martin here," Sara continued. "But it has to be done in total secrecy. If his organization finds out you’re holding him, they’ll descend on this place to get him back. I’m not afraid for myself, Luca, but your parents shouldn’t caught up with this crossfire. Honestly, I don’t want to see a bloodbath either."
Looking at her, Luca saw the honesty in her eyes and finally realized the path he had to take.
"Sara, thank you for helping me see this clearly. I know exactly what must be done now," Luca stated, his eyes sharpening with intent. "I am going to throw out a bait for the mole. I want to believe in Fabio’s loyalty, so let us see who the traitor truly is. If my plan works, they will certainly reveal their hand by this evening."
Sara watched him, surprised by the sudden surge of confidence in his voice. "What are you planning to do?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by his expression.
"Something interesting," Luca answered with a smile playing on his lips.
