Page 27 of Wanted Twins with the Mafia Boss

“Never mind. It was an insane idea,” Adriano says because I’ve been quiet for more than a minute. “I’ll come up with something else.”

He wants to burn down my home. My sanctuary—that Matteo violated, but still. Just hearing it is shocking like hell.

“Why do you think that would work?” I ask.

“Well, first because no one would believe you’d let me do something like that if we were still together. It would mean something bad happened between us and that I’m raging. It would draw Matteo out like a moth to the flame. Literally. Otherwise, he could go into hiding when he realizes his plan failed, and then it’ll be harder to track him down.”

“But it’s my home.”

“Yeah, I know. Sorry I brought it up. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“I’m not upset. I’m just... shocked.” I bite down on my lip. “But how would Matteo know it wasn’t just an accident?”

“A big fire like that would catch everyone’s attention. We’d send the firefighters just in time so it wouldn’t spread to the restaurant. The investigators will figure out easily it was arson because we’ll make sure it looks exactly like what it is. We’ll blame it on some gang or whoever wanted to get back at your father for not letting them throw a party at the restaurant or something like that. But Matteo will know. He’s watching everything. I’ll leave a little something so he knows it was me.”

“And then what? What do you think he’ll do?”

“He’ll believe that you got in touch with me and I flipped out on you because I believe the story he came up with and not yours. You’ll be on the run, and I’ll be enraged. Matteo will be either waiting for you to find him or he’ll wait for my reckless move to attack me. I might offer him that and catch him into a trap.”

I rub the back of my neck. “Are you sure he’s going to go into hiding if he thinks we’re together again?”

“I can’t be completely sure, but yeah. His big plan failed. His father isn’t happy, and I’m nothappy either. He’ll know he can’t fight us all and that I want revenge. His resources aren’t huge, and he’ll have to go somewhere. Find himself a territory and grow his power before he can face us. That’s why he was trying to achieve something with games and tricks, and if he attacks, he’ll do it on his own again. Without Gennaro, he has very little. Gennaro has made sure of that.”

“Are you saying we could spend years and years without hearing anything about him and then he could suddenly pop out of nowhere?” I don’t want to look over my shoulder forever, especially once the twins are born.

Living in fear isn’t the kind of life I want for them or for myself.

“Yes. I’d probably find out once he got powerful enough, but that’s only if he stays close by. He can move to another country. There’s a chance he’ll strike an alliance with someone. He’s not terrible at what he does either, and someone might find his skills useful. If that happens, we won’t know he’s signed a deal until it’s too late and those people are on our doorstep. If he’s desperate enough, he can try to take us out on his own or hire an assassin.”

“Oh.” I lower myself down on the pillow next to him. “That’s a lot of possibilities.”

“And it’s just some of them, but it’s okay. Findinghim is my job, and maybe I can track him down before he disappears. My men are constantly working on it.”

I turn my head and meet his gaze. “Is there any other way to make him think you fell for his story? Like telling him you captured me?”

“He knows I’d do a paternity test, especially if you claim the twins are mine. And he wouldn’t come for you because it’s all a lie and he knows it. “

“Right.” I sigh. “Then we’re doing it.”

“What?” Adriano’s eyebrows shoot up. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I want you to catch him. And it’s just a house. I don’t know how I’d even feel there after everything that happened. I mean, yeah, it was my safe space for so long, but then you kidnapped me and he kidnapped me... and it all happened there. Maybe it’s time for something new.”

“I’m sorry,” he says, his eyes glistening. “I have done so many terrible things—”

“Shh.” I place my finger over his lips. “It’s okay.”

“But I promise you I’m a different man now, and I’ll build you an ever bigger house. Better.”

“I’d love that.” I grin.

It’s time for a new beginning. I need to let go of the past and embrace my life as it is. Before, I was scared, but not anylonger.

“There’s just one thing. I need to get my stuff out of there. Is that possible?” I don’t want all my memories and mementos to burn too.

“Yeah, of course. My men can get everything out and replace it.”

“Are you sure Matteo’s men aren’t watching the house?”

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