Page 20 of Ruthless Match

I took a deep breath and tried to keep my voice steady. “I overheard Matteo on the phone. He’s planning to…he’s planning to…”

My voice cracked, and a tear slid down my cheek. I tried but failed to get out the words. “Just take me to my father, please. I need to see him right away.”

Rico’s eyes narrowed in sympathy. “Don’t worry, we’re on the way. Whatever happened, you’re safe now.”

As the SUV drove through the city, I felt relief and fear. I was safe for now, but this wasn’t over. Matteo would come after me, and then what? I need my father’s advice, but how do I tell him that my husband, his business partner, is planning to kill him?”

The silence during the remainder of the drive is tense. My mind races as I stare out the window. I couldn’t believe how quickly everything fell apart. Just a few days ago, I was happy and hopeful that my marriage might work. Now? Now, I was living in a nightmare.

Sensing he needed to be cautious, Rico took the back roads and avoided the main streets to ensure we weren’t followed. I appreciated the gesture, but it did nothing to calm my nerves.

Finally, we arrived at my parents’ house on the outskirts of the city. Rico parked the car, walked me, and led me inside my father’s office.

As I waited for him to finish a call, I paced. The ornate clock on the mantle ticked relentlessly as the seconds stretched into eternity. My emotions were a jumbled mess.

I was angry, scared, and confused, mostly confused. I know Rico would have informed him of what happened, so why didn’t he seem more concerned? Do I mean that little to him?

Finally, he ended the call and turned to look at me. His brow was furrowed, but I could tell it wasn’t due to fatherly concern. He looked annoyed that I was there. Why? I had no idea, but I suddenly felt like coming here was the wrong decision. Unfortunately, I had no choice.

“Aurora, are you okay?” he asked, trying to sound like a concerned father.

I nodded. I was definitely not okay, but he didn’t need to know that. Why was he so calm? What was going on between my father and Matteo that Matteo wanted my father dead? I needed answers, and I was going to get them.

He sighed, clearly irritated but trying to conceal his anger. For a moment, I observed the room. It was dimly lit, with heavy drapes blocking out the afternoon sun. It smelled like it always had, like polished wood and old books. When I was young, the scent always calmed me, but now it did nothing to ease my racing heart.

“If you are okay, then why did you run away from your husband and have Rico pick you up on the side of the road? What was so bad that you came running back here?”

He was sitting at his massive desk with his hands in front of him. I felt like a delinquent student who had been sent to the principal.

I took a deep breath to steady my voice. I had to be strong. It was the only way I was going to get the answers I needed.

“I want to know about my marriage to Matteo. I know it was a business arrangement, but I want the details. I deserve that much.”

My father’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he maintained his calm and detached composure. “What exactly do you want to know?”

Feeling my resolve come back, I looked him square in the eyes. “Everything. Why Matteo, and why so sudden? What was in it for you? What did you hope to gain from this arrangement? I know it wasn’t to make me happy. You don’t give a damn about that.”

He leaned back in his chair, looking at me with irritation and something I couldn’t quite place. “Matteo Santoro has power and resources, Aurora. Power and resources that could greatly benefit our business. It was a strategic alliance.”

I shook my head, and my anger began to boil inside. He wasn’t telling me the truth, and I was tired of it.

“You’re being vague on purpose, and I’m over it. I want specifics, Dad. What kind of resources? As far as I know, the Santoro family deals in financial investments- hedge funds and private equity, that sort of thing. How was this alliance going to benefit you?”

Dominic sighed again, but this time, there was a hint of resignation.

“As you pointed out, Matteo has connections in the financial sector, the kind that can help us expand our business.”

It didn’t add up. That only benefited my father. What was in it for Matteo? I hesitated before probing further.

Leaning across the table, I looked at my father. Dominic DeSantis is the man who sold his only daughter for financial gain.

“Okay, so that explains how it helps you, but what about Matteo? What’s in it for him?”

My father’s expression hardened. ‘Matteo has been using our most prestigious hotel for some of his more illicit activities.”

I cock my eyebrow and urge him to continue. “Such as?”

“Money laundering. He needed a legitimate front, and the hotel provided it.”

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