Page 161 of Matteo
“I also messaged my pa. He’s standing by and ready to help,” Matteo offered.
“Thank you, Matteo,” I accepted quickly before Nico could refuse.
“Mom, Dad, please—” Arianna’s voice faltered, sobs swallowing her words.
“She’ll be okay,” I said firmly. “Right now, I need you to be okay.”
“You’re not mad?”
My little baby was always worried about everyone’s feelings. She and Hannah were identical but so different, and Matteo could see that.
“I could never be mad at you. I love you all, and I just want you to be happy. You and Matteo found love together and now you deserve to enjoy it. Hannah will find it too. Trust me, okay?”
My little angel hated causing any pain to anyone, even if it hurt her in retrospect. Until now.
“I love you, Mom. You too, Dad.”
“We love you too,” Nico assured her, already out of bed and heading to the walk-in closet with me following next to him. “We’ll bring Hannah home. And you, Matteo, bring our daughter home. Safe and sound, or else.”
“That’s the plan. Keeping my wife safe and inmyhome.”
The jab didn’t escape Nico, but before the two could waste precious time, I chimed in, “Matteo, keep my baby safe. We’ll see you when you’re back.”
The line went dead and I turned to Nico who was in full mobster mode, getting dressed. I watched in silence as he loaded his weapons and secured them in his holster. In times like this, I wanted to go with him and fight, but I’d only be a distraction. Nico would be worried about my safety, and at this moment, the most important thing was Hannah.
I could hear the roaring of the helicopter engine in the distance and my husband stopped in front of me, cupping my cheeks.
“She’s strong,” he murmured. “Before the day is over, she’ll be out of their clutches.”
He pressed his firm lips to mine and kissed me before striding out of the bedroom while I prayed to anyone who was listening to keep my family safe.
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
ARIANNA
It took us two days to clean up the mess on the island and get back home. As soon as the attack happened and Matteo updated Dad and his papa on the information we learned, he ordered his pilot to come and get us.
We stepped out of the private jet and a much warmer breeze than we had been used to for the past few weeks slapped us in the face. So did the unfamiliar airport.
“I thought we were going to New York?”
“Not anymore.”
“But this isn’t Baltimore either,” I pointed out.
“No.”
My brows furrowed, but I didn’t say anything. Instead, I checked my phone again. No messages.
Uneasiness filled my chest as Matteo stared at the line of vehicles waiting for us, and then urged me forward with his firm hand on the lower part of my back.
By the time we were inside the vehicle, I was combusting with questions and anxiety. I was eager to get home, see Hannah, ensure she was alright, and alert others to the resurrection of the Belles and Mobsters auctions.
I stared at his profile as he drove out of the airport, waiting for an explanation, and when it didn’t come, I asked again, “Can you tell me where we’re going?”
“Not yet.”
“Matteo—”
