Page 141 of Matteo
“No, which is the reason I’m going to let Nico know you found Arianna.”
“So much for being on my side.”
“I am on your side and I’ll haveyourback. But if someone kidnapped Francesca, I’d tear this world apart. Nico is no different, and he has an advantage with his unlimited access to facial recognition and databases all over the fucking world. But more importantly, the Morrellis are going through hell, so I can’t withhold from them that Arianna is safe and sound… with you.”
“It’s a good thing I haven’t told you the next step of my plan,” I said dryly, begrudgingly seeing his point.
“Yes, it is, son, because my guess is that Nico will probably get his hands on this conversation.”
I admired Nico Morrelli like I did my own father, but there was no fucking way I’d let him—or anyone for that matter—take Arianna from me. I’d given them plenty of chances to do the right thing. They didn’t, so I had to take matters into my own hands.
“So, you’re telling me he’ll probably find out that I pointed a gun at his daughter?”
“Probably.” Well, I guess a peaceful relationship with my in-laws was out of the question. “He’s been targeting one of my assets each day, so you have about three hundred and eighty days to convince your woman to agree to your proposal.”
“Don’t worry, Pa. I’ll get them all back for you.” I wasn’t without my resources, and Nico knew the Vitales wouldn’t take it lying down. “Also, when Morrelli hears this, take note that the gun was devoid of bullets.”
“Like father, like son.” Pa released a humorless laugh. “Nonno, wherever he is, must be laughing at me right now.”
“Nah, he’s probably fixing it all for us from up there,” I joked.
“Listen,” Pa said seriously. “Nico will come after you with all he’s got. You better have that girl head over heels in love with you by the time he finds you or there’s no telling what’ll happen.”
“Don’t worry. I got this.”
“Sending Francesca to a convent sounds like a mighty smart idea right about now,” Pa muttered, releasing a deep sigh. “I know of a remote one, where there isn’t a man in sight for miles on end.”
I chuckled. “You have my support, but now… I have to go get married.”
CHAPTER FIFTY-THREE
ARIANNA
Iwoke up feeling slightly groggy, my thoughts a jumbled mess.
My skin prickled and the feeling of being watched stabbed me in the chest. I forced my eyes open and lifted my heavy head. I paused as the world shifted and waited for the blurriness to cease.
Then my eyes locked with my sister’s fiancé’s and my lips parted. For a moment, all I could do was stare. Those haunting eyes that appeared in every dream, swallowing me. The same ones that had no business looking at me with so much… possessiveness.
“I’m so glad you’re finally up, Sleeping Beauty.”
Then I remembered. Him showing up in my hotel room, us arguing… A gun pointed at me.
“Wh-what have you done?” I asked, blinking and trying desperately to orient myself, realizing we weren’t in the hotel suite.
“I kidnapped you.”
His deep baritone was calm, doing things to me once again.
“That’s illegal.”
“So is shooting your boyfriend.” I flinched, the coldness that coated his voice like a slap in my face.
“You’ve lost your goddamn mind, Matteo,” I breathed, sitting up.
“You have no fucking idea.”
I lowered my gaze, realizing I was no longer in my sweatpants. “Did you… Did you change me?”
