Page 53 of Stolen Queen

I spend the day in a foul mood, snapping at everyone who crosses my path from street bosses to associates. During a meeting with some of our suppliers, I nearly lost it when one of them dared to push back on price. It took every ounce of self-control not to put my fist through his face. Fucking hell, I’m turning into Lazaro.

As the day wears on, my anxiety grows. What if Ava has left? What if Rinella's men have found her? I’m in the midst of a mental breakdown, and the day’s only half over.

My phone rings and Elio's name flashes on the screen. It’s not unusual for him to call me, but I have a sinking feeling that word has gotten back to him that I’m becoming unhinged.

"We need to meet Rinella at the docks," Elio says without preamble.

I curse under my breath. Of all the fucking times for this to happen. "I'll be there.” I shake my head, wondering when Lazaro will be back. He’s a master at motivating men through fear.

When I arrive, Elio is already there with a few of our men. Rinella and his goons are there as well.

"What's this about?" I mutter to Elio.

He shakes his head slightly. "Just a show of force. There've been some issues with shipments, and Rinella's getting antsy. We need to present a united front."

"What's the matter, Rinella? Lose another shipment? Or just your daughter?" The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them, dripping with venom.

The reaction is instantaneous. Rinella's second in command, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, pulls out his gun and points it straight at my head. I don't flinch, staring down the barrel with a smirk on my face.

Of course, our men respond in kind. I’ve created a shitshow.

Elio steps forward, his voice calm but firm. "Rinella, call off your man. This isn't how we do business."

Rinella's eyes narrow, his gaze flicking between me and Elio. "Your boy needs to learn some respect, D'Amato. Maybe you should teach him a lesson before I do."

Elio’s demeanor almost seems bored, unless you know it well enough to see the menace in his eyes. "I'd argue that I should be dealing with you and your man for showing such disrespect," Elio says coolly. "Especially considering how I'm helping you out."

I roll my eyes. Why can’t we kill these motherfuckers? It would solve all sorts of problems. My anger and frustration continue to simmer, and Rinella's attitude is pushing me over the edge.

"You're a fucking pussy, Rinella," I spit out, ignoring the warning glare Elio shoots my way. "Can't handle your own business, can't even keep tabs on your own family. What kind of leader are you supposed to be?"

Rinella's face turns an ugly shade of red, his hands clenching into fists at his sides. His second still has his gun trained on me, but I couldn't care less right now. I’m a dead man walking, anyway.

Elio's glare intensifies, a clear message that I've gone too far. He takes a breath, clearly trying to maintain his composure in the face of my outburst.

He turns back to Rinella, his voice steady and diplomatic. "Let's not let emotions get the better of us here.”

Rinella's face is still flushed with anger. "Caruso will hear about this, D'Amato. He doesn't take kindly to disrespect."

I can't help but laugh, the sound harsh and mocking. "Oh, running to tattle to the big boss? Real mature, Rinella."

Elio whips around to face me, his expression a mixture of frustration and disbelief. "Matteo, that's enough. Go wait in the car."

I open my mouth to argue, but the look in Elio's eyes stops me cold. I've pushed too far, and I know it. Without another word, I turn on my heel and stalk back to the car, my fists clenched at my sides.

As I slide into the driver's seat, I can see Elio and Rinella still talking in the rearview mirror. All guns are down now, so disaster averted.

I grip the steering wheel as Elio slides into the passenger seat. “I told Tony you’d bring me home.”

I nod and put the car in gear. As we drive, Elio is quiet, and his silence is more deafening than any shouting match.

Finally, Elio breaks the silence. "What the fuck is going on with you, Matteo?"

I keep my eyes fixed on the road, trying to maintain an air of nonchalance. "Nothing's going on. I'm just fed up with Rinella's bullshit."

Elio doesn't respond immediately, and I can feel his eyes boring into me. When he speaks again, his voice is low and measured. "Bullshit. I've known you too long to buy that. You've been off for days now. Distracted, irritable. And now this stunt at the docks? This isn't like you."

My jaw clenches as I fight the urge to confess everything. The guilt of keeping secrets from Elio, my best friend and practically my brother, is killing me. But I can't risk Ava's safety, not even for him.

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