Page 49 of Mafia King: Matteo
“The baby is moving. Things are stretching. It’s not as easy as it looks. But enough about me. How did the mystery man in the elevator happen? Were you being followed? Did Dima know?”
“No, I told him I was alone.”
“Good,” she replies. “I think.”
“You know, in summer, it would not have been so incredible. But the sex was intense.” I chuckle at the steamy memory of how he choked me.
“I’m so happy you hit it off so well.”
If she only knew.
“It would be easy for him to slip in and out of any floor in the hotel. He knows it inside out.”
“He’s acted like a stalker,” she muses. “Are you sure you’re safe with him?”
“He could have killed me or kidnapped me by now. Besides, if he bumps me off, make sure you get this incredible yellow diamond in the ring he put on my finger tonight.”
Izzy laughs, then winces.
“Are you okay?” I ask.
“I’m huge,” she replies. “The doula says my ligaments are stretching for the baby. It hurts. No one ever tells you all the fun facts about pregnancy. I’ve read books until my brain is fried. I’m glad we have her on call. Carrying and birthing a human is exhausting. This baby appears to take what she needs from me.”
“Isn’t that what they’re supposed to do?”
“Thank you, really. Dmitry has been great. He tells me that all the time, but soon I’ll be in slip-on shoes because I won’t be able to reach my feet.”
I chuckle. “I wish I could do something for you.”
“I’m fine.” She changes the subject back to me. “When is the big announcement? Do you have a wedding date?”
“I have no clue.”
“Well, fill me in when you know more. I guess congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you,” I reply as I toss my bed sheets and slide into bed.
“Does my dad know?” Izzy asks.
I assume these alliances would typically be discussed among the leaders, but I’m not the don’s daughter.
Maybe it’s not a big deal?
My marriage was brokered faster than the amount of time it takes to move a shipment of fentanyl. Last week, I was told to get a job. This week, I’m engaged.
“No, actually,” I reply, playing it off as if the arrangement was a spur-of-the-moment decision. “It appears Matteo wanted me, and when he found out who I was, I’m sure it made sense to make it official. I’m keeping it to myself for now. We barely know each other.”
“Okay, just let me know before the news breaks. I can’t keep it from Dmitry,” she announces.
“That’s fine,” I reply. I like Dmitry. He’d do anything to protect me.
Matteo knows how to make allies and enemies. With me, he obtains an opponent’s prized possession and a powerful alliance. My father made it easy for him to make a move on the Russians. This is not going to look good to Don Sidovo.
“Oh,” she says. “Well, is he who you want?”
“It’s how the games get played,” I reply. “We knew I would be married to someone.”
“That’s true. That’s so strange, though. You said you met at a sex club?”
