Page 46 of Mafia King: Matteo
“Me? What about you? You’re the one with the bad reputation,” Dad spits in my face. “What Italian?” he huffs, referring to my comment earlier to put Matteo in his place.
“What did you do to make him angry?” I ask. Now that I know Matteo is a don, there is more to this arrangement than Dad says.
If the look of amusement in Matteo’s eyes can be trusted, tonight unfolded as Matteo expected. It looked to me like he enjoyed making my father fuss over him. “What did you do?” I enunciate each word and wait for his response.
“I bought a property that he has been working to buy, and I beat him to it.” He shuffles his weight on his feet, imploring me to be merciful. “He found out about it and came to collect it, but he made it clear he wanted you.”
“Me?”
“It was an anonymous tip. An email. It was encrypted. It could have been from anyone. It was a great idea, so I looked into it and offered more.”
My father looks pathetic. My father wields power, but tonight, he’s powerless. He’s submissive. I pause. Silence fills the room, forcing him to talk.
“I acted on the tip. I didn’t share the information with my boss.” His last sentence puts me in a precarious position.
He didn’t buy the building for the Russians. He was buying it for himself and his business associates behind the Don’s back. He sits at the right hand of the Don as his advisor, and if the Don finds out, he’d be killed. He’s a traitor. His life is ruled by greed.
This is becoming an increasingly complex and messy situation. Izzy has feared my father over the years. But today, Izzy is the Principessa to the bratva. Her father is the don, and her husband will be the next to take over in his place.
“The Don doesn’t know about this,” I murmur the words as the reality of the situation sinks in.
My father’s devious behavior and betrayals are revealed. He had to make a deal with Matteo because Matteo knew his secret. If I marry Matteo, my father lives. If I refuse, Don Sidovo will have to kill my father to punish a traitor.
My father needs me to keep his dirty secret.
“Izzy is my best friend, and you want me to keep a secret from her?”
This is rich. I can’t do that.
Can I?
“She’s my best friend, Dad. How can I betray her? She’s been lied to her entire life. She’s been nothing but loyal to me and to you,” I yell in anger and enunciate the word ‘you.’
“I supported you and her for years. She lived with us for free, and I bought that condo for you. It’s all been paid for,” he argues. “You can lie to her, and you will,” he says sternly as his eyes burrow into mine. He leans in, and his face is inches from mine.
My Dad’s eyes drift like he’s tired. Mom bids him to sit by her on the sofa, and when he turns, his shoulders slump.
“It’s business, Alena. You knew you’d be married off to someone,” Mom interjects. Dad sits beside her and runs a hand down his face.
I wonder how often he’s done deals that the don doesn’t know about. Do others hold my father’s secrets?
“How am I to keep my Russian friends when I’m sleeping with the enemy—the Italian?” I ask.
“That’s one steamy bed if you ask me,” Mom says, then uses her hand to hide her smirk. It appears my mother recognizes a sexy man when she sees one.
“What did you mean about a hot Italian at dinner?” Dad asks, now that he’s calmer. Mom moves her hand on his leg as a sign of support.
“Nothing, I attempted to make Matteo jealous.” I shrug. I’m entitled to my secrets. No one will die over me having sex with Matteo.
“If you bothered to notice the look on his face, he did notice,” Mom adds.
“Yeah, well, it’s getting late. I’m exhausted,” I say, turning to leave. I realize I don’t possess the mental capacity to fight right now. There is so much I have to process.
Dad and Mom stand and walk me to the door. Dad holds my coat for me.
“Good night, Alena,” Dad coos, as if all is forgotten, and kisses my forehead.
I never dreamed he would call in an IOU on everything he’s done for me. I never realized before today how much I took for granted. I come from a life of privilege. Sure, Dad could have gotten into trouble over the years and ended up in prison. The syndicates fly under the government’s radar and use mostly legitimate businesses for steady income. They do illegal things, but Dad sits at the top, where his hands remain relatively clean.
