Page 55 of His Tesoro

“Double the surveillance around the building,” I said to Domenico. “Cameras, men, everything. If Arben is monitoring movements, I want to know, and I want it stopped.”

“Yes, Boss,” Domenico responded.

“Good work finding him,” I said before leaving the basement. Domenico and his men would oversee the cleanup.

I rode the elevator to my penthouse, the stench of blood in my nose. Angelo had messaged to let me know they were having dinner with Sienna, so I knew the apartment would be empty.

Rage pulsed through me as I stood in the shower, cold water pouring down my body. Usually, I went to the gym to work out my anger, or I would find someone to fuck, but deep down, I knew neither of those options would soothe me tonight. I got dressed, leaving my suit jacket off and rolling up my sleeves, and then headed down to Sienna’s floor.

“Matteo!”

Sofiya’s cheerful greeting twisted my insides. When was the last time someone had been that excited to see me? Not my sister, who I’d pushed away for years, or my men, who responded to me with respect and an edge of fear, and certainly not my enemies, who called me the Angel of Death.

I sat down beside my wife, drawn like a planet into her orbit. Her cheeks were flushed, eyes bright, and I realized she was tipsy. I cocked an eyebrow at Romeo, who was refilling her glass with sake, and he just grinned.

“You sure you don’t want anything else to eat?” Sienna asked Sofiya, who shook her head.

“Trust me, I’m full.”

“Sorry for making you eat so much. I was sure there would be at least one you liked,” Sienna said with a pout.

Sofiya shrugged. “It’s okay. This can count towards my Dream List, so it’s worth it.”

Angelo raised his eyebrows. “Dream List?”

“About a year ago, Mila and I each made a list of things we want to do before we die. We spent most of our days stuck inside, so we had a lot of time to brainstorm. One of my things on the list is to try something new every week for a year. So this week can be sushi.”

There was a lightness to her I hadn’t seen before. I found myself wanting to run my fingers along her skin, to tuck a piece of bright blonde hair behind her ear, and to know every item on her list.

“What other new things have you tried?” Romeo asked.

“Getting married,” she said, flicking her eyes to me with a blush on her cheeks.

“That’s such a fun idea. I want to make a list like that. What else is on yours?” Sienna asked.

“Umm, a bunch of things,” Sofiya said, suddenly shy. “Like get a dog, go to Disney World, see the ocean, things like that.”

The things on her list were so innocent. How had something so sweet and pure come from Rustik?

I grabbed a set of chopsticks and ate a California roll as the others talked about what they would put on their list. Sofiya arranged the remaining sushi pieces on a plate and slid it in front of me. I felt a strange fluttering in my chest. She took care of me like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I finished eating, and we moved to the living room. I ended up next to Sofiya on the couch. She curled up under a blanket, and my skin itched with the urge to pull her against me. I was struck by the feeling that I would taint her by touching her. My life was one where my skin was regularly marked with blood. Hers was one where she dreamed of having a dog and touching the ocean.

Romeo moved a floral cushion off a leather armchair and sat down. “So, how’re you finding the Italian Mafia, Sofiya?”

“So far, so good,” she responded with a smile. “And last night, I watched The Godfather for research.”

Angelo snorted a laugh, causing him to choke on his drink. Romeo thumped him on the back.

“Yeah, that was pretty much Matteo’s reaction.” She glanced over at me with a smile. “But I thought it was educational.”

Sienna raised an eyebrow at me. “Sounds like you had a cozy little movie night.”

I fixed her with a scowl, but the smile didn’t fade from her lips.

“I made caramel popcorn,” Sofiya said.

“Sounds like we need to have a movie night at the Rossis’,” Romeo said with a shit-eating grin.

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