Page 12 of Mafia King: Matteo
“The fact that you got married first is strange. This is scary.”
“Right. Well, are you going to do what your mother said?”
“I’ll try to get a job. I’m not sure what’s out there, but why not? I’m bored off my ass without you, Dmitry, and Kirill running all over the place with a hitman looking for you.”
“Sorry about that, but trust me, this is a safer option.”
“I’m going to be an aunt. I’m still trying to get my head around this new development.”
“You need to try harder. She’ll be here soon.”
“I know. I’m so excited for you.”
“I know you are. I wish you could find someone manly enough to not only date you but also stand up to your dad.”
“I know. I don’t plan on that happening until the next ice age.”
Izzy snickers.
“It’s late. I’d better let you get some sleep,” I say.
“Alright, call me tomorrow.”
Izzy recently left her job on Broadway as she’s getting close to her due date and wants to be a full-time mother. I respect that. Besides, I’m sure the men in the family will say it’s bad for business if she doesn’t quit her job. But she loves Dmitry, and I know he adores her.
I dress in warm pajamas, turn off the light, and crawl into bed. I’ve never been exhausted from sex until tonight. It’s safe to assume my bodyguards are posted on the street below, but for some reason, the hair on the back of my neck rises as I drift to sleep.
CHAPTER 5
MATTEO
Gio and I wait outside the club for my Angel to come out. When the woman of my new obsession exits, she climbs into an SUV similar to mine. It pulls away from the curb, and before we follow, I notice it’s followed by an identical vehicle—a security detail.
Growing up in Sicily, I can spot a paid guard a mile away. That’s because death is inevitable and a way of life. Most mafia men don’t worry about it. This is not the case with New York’s criminal underworld.
Here, it’s as if everyone wants to live as long as possible. Either the men have more to live for, or it’s a cultural difference. For now, I’m undecided.
We followed her home and discovered the building where she lived. I put Gio in charge of finding out more.
With our mission complete, we head to my place for a nightcap in the study, which also serves as an office. We light our cognac-laden cigars. Gio pours two bourbons and hands me one before sitting in high-back chairs beside a gas-lit fireplace. My den has a Gaudí meets Gotham look, featuring dark colors and Art Deco lighting. Maybe that’s why I felt so comfortable in the dimly lit sex club.
Gio leans back and puts his feet up on the ottoman. “Do I need to worry about this vixen?”
“How do you know she’s hot?”
“You’re never with a woman who’s not.”
“True, I deserve that.”
Gio nods solemnly. “We need Councilman Addler to support our request for a height variance.”
“Yes, I’m sure there is a function where I can talk to him. He’s been known to hold out on these things before. My first project has to be successful. By the way, how is my cousin, Antonio? I heard he got married.”
“Yes, to a nice Irish girl, Caitlin. She was his nanny briefly,” he says.
I chuckle at this—happy he’s found happiness. He’s my cousin, and we’ve been best friends since we were kids.
“His wife, Caitlin, has a serious ex-boyfriend problem like he beat the shit out of her in Ireland. As soon as she recovered, she came here to escape him.”
