Page 32 of Stolen Queen

12

MATTEO

Ilean back in my chair, only half-listening as Elio wraps up our business for the day. My mind keeps drifting to Ava. It's been a week since she tried to make her escape. Since I forced her to choose me over her father. The guilt at manipulating her with fear still eats at me. I clearly don’t know what the hell I’m doing.

Every time I see her, I want to explain myself, to make her understand why I’m doing what I’m doing. But what’s the point? She can’t hear it. Not yet. No, she needs time and space.

"Matteo? You with me?" Elio's voice snaps me back to the present. I blink, realizing he's staring at me with concern etched across his face.

"Yeah, sorry. Just thinking."

He leans forward, elbows on his desk. "You've been distracted for a while. What's going on?"

I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. "Nothing. Just tired."

Elio's eyes narrow. "Bullshit. You've been acting weird since Lazaro and Diana decided to get married.” He cocks his head. “Do you have a problem with that?”

On the one hand, I’m glad he’s associating my behavior to Lazaro marrying Diana and not Lazaro breaking the arranged engagement to Ava. On the other hand, I’m irritated that he’d think I have a problem with Lazaro marrying Diana.

“No. Why would I?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. You tell me. I'm asking if you're okay. If something's bothering you, I want to help."

I force a smile, trying to reassure Elio. "I'm fine, really. Just got a lot on my mind."

Elio leans back in his chair, studying me. Concern fills his eyes, and it makes me feel guilty for keeping secrets from him. We've been through hell and back together over the years.

"Alright," he says finally. "If you say so. But you know you can talk to me about anything, right?"

I nod, grateful for his friendship. "I know. Thanks, man."

"You remember how fucked up everything was just a few months ago? Christ, I thought we were done for."

"Yeah," I agree, thinking back to how he first pissed Rinella off by ending his engagement to Ava and later sinking one of Rinella’s boats. What I don’t know is why he’s bringing it up.

“You and Lana… you two were about to put me in the looney bin.”

I laugh. “Not quite.”

“Still. I told you both the truth. About seeing Piper and knowing I needed to be with her.”

Fuck. Does he know about Ava? I nod, hoping I’m not betraying the truth I’m desperately trying to hide.

“I’m just saying, we’re family. You can talk to me. I’ll support you.”

“Thanks, but there’s nothing going on.”

“Liar, but okay. I just want you to be happy. Life is damn near perfect. I've got Piper. Lazaro's home and he’s happy with Diana. Even Lana is calmer with Henry’s influence.”

I smile at his enthusiasm. It's good to see him happy after everything he's been through.

“If only we could get Rinella off our backs. That motherfucker is never happy. Like it’s our problem that his daughter ran away.”

My heart stops.

“Personally, I hope she’s off living her best life,” Elio continues. “But fucking hell, she’s so naïve, how is she able to stay hidden?”

“Perhaps she’s not as naïve as we think.” She is, of course. But she’s also brave and gutsy, which in our world could get her killed.

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