Page 4 of His to Honor

“I do.” Antonio leans back, resting his ass on the windowsill.

I wince. That was painted earlier. I hope it’s dry because his suit probably cost more than I spent decorating this entire room. I don’t think I can afford to replace it.

“So send them.”

“I will, as a last resort. I want to try a gentler approach first.”

Balling up my fists, I rest them on my hips. “What makes you think I’ll be gentle with him?”

Now it’s Antonio who barks out a disbelieving laugh. I guess I’m not known for inflicting violence, but he’s wrong to assume I’m willing to go halfway across the world to coax Matteo out of whatever mood he’s in. I’ve had enough of being taken for a fool.

“You’re one of his oldest friends.”

“I was his friend.”

“One little comment does not cancel two decades of shared history.”

There’s no point in arguing with Antonio. He’d never understand the hurt and betrayal I felt when Matteo laughed at me the day of Johnny’s funeral. Perhaps my reaction has been extreme, but I can’t help it. When I needed him the most, he let me down. I don’t want to see the asshole ever again.

“What about Isabella? She’s his friend. Why don’t you send her?”

Antonio’s jaw clenches. He’s never been entirely at ease with his wife and his brother having a close relationship. Matteo, Isabella, and I became friends at elementary school. Antonio barely noticed his wife existed before she became an adult.

“My wife will not be traveling to Italy.” He fixes me with an intense stare. “Look, Giulia, I’ll be honest with you. I think you are what he needs, so you will do as I ask. You will travel to Italy on my private jet, drinking champagne and being waited on by my attentive staff. You will stay in a luxurious villa in the most beautiful part of the country and enjoy the finest hospitality. I will even ensure this place is looked after until you return.”

The offer he’s making is a tempting one, but I can’t help wondering what the alternative is. “And if I refuse?”

“Well, this place doesn’t have to open.” Antonio smiles grimly. “It would be a shame if all your good intentions went to waste.”

I suck in a breath, but he’s not finished with the threats yet.

“And I could tell your father and stepmother I changed my mind about them leaving you alone after Lombardi’s death. I could tell them to start looking for another husband for you.”

“But I don’t live with them anymore. I have my own money now.”

Antonio looks at me as if I’m a naïve child. “You think any of that matters?”

No, I don’t. The only reason my dad and Valeria allowed me to move into my own apartment and haven’t already forced me into a new marriage arrangement is that Antonio told them to back off. He insisted they gave me time to get over what happened with Johnny. Somewhere at the back of my mind, I guess I knew my newfound freedom was an illusion. My money only bought temporary autonomy. Where the mafia’s concerned, it doesn’t matter. I could be a billionaire, but I’d still have to live within the rules of this fucked-up world my great-grandfather dragged our family into when he pledged allegiance to the Volantes.

Tears burn my eyes as Antonio stalks closer. I blink them back, but it’s too late. He’s seen them.

“No need to cry, Giulia.” There’s a flash of something like regret on his face, but he quickly masks it. “None of this needs to be a hardship for you. Bring Matteo back and I will ensure you can follow your dreams. Get him back within a week and I’ll throw in a generous donation to this place.”

He holds my gaze. At first I remain defiant, but I’m no match for the harshness in his eyes. I soon cave. “When do I leave?”

“Dante will pick you up in two hours and drive you to the airport. Tell him what needs to be done here and he’ll see to it.”

“Okay.” I hate how defeated I sound.

“You might want to clean up first,” Antonio says. “You have paint on your nose.”

As he walks away, I snort in disbelief. Paint on my nose? That’s the least of my worries. I fear I’ve been given an impossible task. Antonio knows as well as I do that it will take more than gentle persuasion to wrangle Matteo onto a plane. Once he’s dug in, it’s extremely difficult to change his mind.

A stab of fear pierces deep. What if I fail? Displeasing the head of the Volante organization would be a spectacularly bad idea. Am I going to lose everything I worked so hard to achieve?

No. I strengthen my resolve. I will get Matteo back to New York by whatever means necessary. If I have to drag him here by the balls, then so be it.

CHAPTER 2

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