Page 96 of Matteo
“I’m so glad you’re able to see humor in the shitshow that is my life.” I gave him a sarcastic smile. “But Pa fucked up big-time and?—”
“Hold the fuck on, son,” Pa cut me off. “There was never any talk of you and Arianna being matched. Ever since we met the twins, it was always Hannah who had claimed you. How in the fuck was I supposed to know you wanted the other twin?”
“We’d just rescued Ari and Francesca from the shooter,” I bellowed. “Why in the fuck would I say anything about Hannah?”
Pa shot me a blank look. “Well, Hannah has always claimed she’d marry you. Arianna has never said a peep.”
“But I did,” I roared. “After her near-death experience, I didn’t want to risk losing her.”
“Arianna?”
“Yes, Arianna, for fuck’s sake.”
“Well, the girls are… identical,” Pa tried to reason.
I pushed my hand through my hair. “How do you not see the differences between the two?”
“Son, there are only two women I notice and who matter in my life. Your mother and your sister. Besides, Arianna never even showed interest in you, and don’t think I don’t know she’s the one who broke your nose on your eighth birthday.”
I held my head between my hands. “There’s no fucking way I’m marrying Hannah. Get a meeting with Nico Morrelli and I’ll explain the whole thing.”
“I’ll ask him, but are you sure Arianna will say yes? Because Nico gave Hannah the choice and she accepted you.”
“Yes, I’m sure.”
“Good. And I’ll talk to Arianna.”
Uncle Massimo raised a brow. “What if you talk to the wrong twin?”
“Good point,” Pa acknowledged, then looked at me. “Can you get her a name tag?”
I groaned. “Pa, she’s not a dog.”
Uncle shook his head. “You’re digging this hole deeper, Luciano.”
“Bullshit. I’m just trying to be sure I talk to my correct intended future daughter-in-law. No more mistakes.”
A knock sounded and my mom peeked her head inside.
“Luciano, our guests are still here. Sasha thinks you’re hiding.”
“He’s not wrong,” Pa muttered. “I might shoot him if I hear a single smartass remark from him.”
Mom strode in, taking a seat next to me. “Nobody’s getting shot, but you need to come out of this office and visitwith everyone. And we need to smooth things over with the Morrellis.”
“Why in the fuck would Hannah agree?”
I shook my head. “I don’t know.”
Mom straightened in the seat. “What do you mean? You wanted this, didn’t you, Matteo?”
Pa stood up and went over to the minibar, refilling his glass of bourbon. “Oh, our son wanted this, but with Arianna who, coincidently, looks just like Hannah.”
“Luciano!” Mom reprimanded him.
“They couldn’t be more opposite,” I told him. “And Arianna is the one I want.”
“Arianna?” Mom asked in a soft voice. At my nod, she leaned over and stroked my cheek. “You always manage to surprise me, Matteo.”
