Page 83 of Stolen Queen

Elio checks his watch. "We should go now. The longer we wait, the more chance there is of something going wrong. Lana, go to your meeting. Lazaro, come with us. We should have a few men around as backup."

“I’ll set it up.” Lazaro pulls out his phone and leaves Elio’s office to make the calls.

Minutes later, I climb into the car with Elio and Lazaro and drive toward my penthouse. I’m tense but excited that soon, she’ll be safe under the protection of all my family.

"You know, Matteo," Lazaro says from the back seat, “I liked her when I met her. I got the feeling she really wanted to marry me…well, not me, but as an escape, you know?”

“I did too,” Elio agrees.

“I felt bad having to end the engagement,” Lazaro finishes. “But I’m fucking happy that she’s with you since you’re the one who’s been pining for her.”

“I haven’t been pining.” Have I?

“You know, now that I think about it, Lana mentioned that you were different around Ava a few times,” Elio states.

“I am not. What the fuck? Is this hassle Matteo day?” I don’t like being teased.

“That’s what brothers do,” Elio says, putting his hand on my shoulder. All of a sudden, being teased doesn’t feel so bad.

As we enter the garage, Lazaro asks, "So, what's the plan once we get there?"

"We go in, explain the situation to Ava, and bring her back to the estate. Simple as that."

"And if she's not thrilled about the idea?" Elio raises an eyebrow.

“She will.” At least I think she will. My sense is she wants to stay with me, which is good, because I don’t plan to ever let her leave.

Lazaro claps a hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry, Brother. We've got your back."

I park the car and we head up in the elevator to my penthouse. As we exit and head to my place, I’m feeling so fucking happy that this whole ordeal is about to come to an end. Well, maybe not an end. But we’re getting closer.

I unlock the door and push it open.

“Matteo, watch out!” Ava cries out.

Before I can pull my gun, I see Rinella and two other men in my place, one holding Ava back.

"Well, well, well," Rinella drawls, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "What do we have here? The prodigal D'Amatos and their loyal dog, walking right into my trap."

31

AVA

My heart races as the penthouse door opens. "Matteo, watch out!" I call out in warning.

Matteo freezes in the doorway, flanked by Elio. I thought I might have seen Lazaro, but he’s ducked back and I’m glad. Maybe he can get help to save us.

"Well, well, well. What do we have here? The prodigal D'Amatos and their loyal dog, walking right into my trap."

“You are making a big mistake,” Elio says.

My father laughs. “Wait until Caruso hears about all this.”

Elio laughs back, which shocks me. It unsettles my father a little bit too if the way he shifts from side to side is any indication.

“You’ll be surprised what will happen when Caruso hears about this.”

I can’t stand that all this conflict is because of me. “I’ll go with you, Father. Just let them go.”

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