Page 13 of His Tesoro

There wasn’t a clock in the room so I didn’t know what time it was when I finally broke down and rolled out of bed. I went to the bathroom and then snagged my purse, knowing Mila had slipped a chocolate bar in there the morning of the wedding. Was that only yesterday? It felt like a lifetime ago.

The sugar hit my lips, but I could barely taste it. I ate mechanically, folded the wrapper, and put it back in my bag. Numbness washed over me, pulling me under.

I had no more tears to cry. This was my life—to be hated and forgotten—and I just had to accept it.

10

MATTEO

“Ihear you’re avoiding your new wife,” Romeo said. He gave me a shit-eating grin as he collapsed into the leather chair across from my desk.

I knew I should have gotten that chair removed. I didn’t want anyone to be comfortable in my office. Now my number two was reclined back in the chair with his feet on my fucking desk.

“I’m not avoiding her.” I rubbed my jaw. I’d developed a tic with how hard I’d clenched it the past few days.

Romeo cocked a brow. “Sure. That’s why you slept at the Star last night.”

“It was more convenient,” I said. The Star was one of the luxury hotels I owned downtown.

Romeo hummed as he crossed his arms. “Pretty little thing must be getting lonely. Maybe I should go over and keep her company.”

I was out of my seat before I realized what I was doing, my hand moving towards the gun I kept hidden under my jacket.

Romeo laughed as he raised his hands in surrender. “Fuck, Matteo. Feeling a little possessive?”

My breaths were heavy, and I felt an inexplicable need to see Sofiya. The thought of any man being around her made me murderous, and I couldn’t understand why.

“We’ll talk about the drug run later,” I gritted out, grabbing my phone and keys and storming out of the office.

“Say hello to your bride for me,” Romeo called out after me.

“Report,” I commanded Angelo. He was stationed outside the apartment where I’d left him yesterday morning. Enzo was assigned to the night shift. They would have switched off a few hours ago.

Angelo shifted uncomfortably, putting me on high alert.

“She’s been in her room,” he said.

“So?” I barked. Angelo was hiding something, and it was pissing me off.

“I mean, she hasn’t left her room, Boss. This whole time.”

Angelo and Enzo were the only ones besides Romeo and me with access to the video feeds inside the apartment. While I had cameras in all the common spaces, I drew the line at having them inside the bedrooms.

“Since yesterday morning?”

Angelo nodded.

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me?” I snarled. That strange feeling in my chest kicked up again. I resisted the temptation to rub it. What the fuck was she doing in there?

“You said you didn’t want to be disturbed, Boss. Unless she tried to leave.”

My fist clenched with the urge to punch him. Angelo had quickly risen through my ranks. I’d chosen him for my inner circle after he’d saved my life in an ambush. He was one of the best shots in the entire Family and had proven himself loyal. But right now? I wanted to kill him. He swallowed hard, but didn’t avert his gaze.

I would deal with him later. Right now, I had to deal with my wife.

I jerked my head, signaling him to open the door, and swept into the apartment. I glanced over at the kitchen as if Sofiya would be there, sweetly smiling as she tucked her hair behind her ear or pulled cinnamon rolls out of the oven. I would never admit it to anyone, but they were one of my favorite foods.

But the apartment was quiet.

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