Page 127 of Savage Little Queen

“I’d like for you to stay, Mr. Petrov.”

Drake glanced at me before silently going to sit beside Alessio.

“Well, what do I need?” Matteo let out a little chuckle. “Levin, are you aware that Dominic is not my son?”

I glanced to Alessio, whose face was a mask of concern for me.

This wasn’t going to be a good visit.

I cleared my throat. “I’m aware.”

“He is, in fact, my little brother. My father, Carmine, fucked my wife and created Dominic on my wedding night. Not only did I lose the love of my life and my family, but I also got to take care of the son my father left me with, so I couldn’t even fucking have my own legitimate heir.”

He walked to the bar, then poured himself a shot, and downed it before smacking his lips.

“I hate Dominic. I loathe him. I was forced to raise him on my father’s orders. A father who still guides things from afar and just won’t fucking die.” Another shot.

I shifted in my seat, wondering where this was going.

“I don’t want to be controlled. I don’t really think anyone does. Dominic was the heir if I died since my older brother bailed on the family years ago.” Matteo moved to sit on the edge of his desk. “So it’s me. Forced into this fucking nightmare. Can you imagine how that’s made me feel, Levin?”

I said nothing, eyeing him.

“The goal here is to show Dominic that he is nothing. That he will always be nothing. My heir is back. Arcangelo is home. He has returned to me, the rightful heir to the De Santis empire. It is a throne I will bestow upon him when my time is up.”

“Is he aware of that?” I asked, remembering Anson saying he didn’t want it.

“He isn’t, but he will be. We De Santises do what we must. I have faith in my son. He’s already done so much for us all.”

I watched as Matteo pulled his phone out.

“You see, in this world we have rules, Levin. You know that. You grew up with them.” He pushed a button on his phone, and my conversation with Dom sounded out in the room.

My blood ran cold, and I froze in my seat.

Matteo looked at me, his gaze icy and dark, before he slipped the phone back into his breast pocket.

“You broke a rule,” he said. “I said no contact.”

I said nothing, watching him closely. I had my piece on me, and I’d go down shooting if it came to it and hope to fuck Drake was on my side.

“But I can’t be too mad. You fulfilled your purpose.” He smirked at me. “Love will get you killed in this world, boy. It’ll get the ones you love killed.”

“What are you going to do?” I asked, my voice a soft rasp and my body tense.

“Make Dominic hurt. Make him suffer as I have. Do you know what it’s like to lose what you love, Levin?”

“Yes,” I snarled through gritted teeth, remembering losing my bumblebee.

“I suppose you may. The love of my life was taken from me because of this world. My children. My family.My fucking future.I didnothingto deserve that. I was punished for loving. It turned me cold. It made me hate. It made me want revenge.”

“That wasn’t Dom’s fault,” I said, getting to my feet. “You can’t punish him for what your father bestowed upon you.”

“I can’t punish my father directly. He’s a smart man. He’s protected. But I can punish the piece of shit he created and forced me to raise, and by doing so, I’ll get to him.”

“What are you going to do?” I demanded, my heart in my throat.

Matteo nodded his head, and my father and Alessio flanked me.

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