Page 51 of Mafia King: Matteo
My burner phone rings. This is never a good sign at this hour. However, when Gio’s name flashes, I inhale and exhale air before I answer.
“Have you given a thought to Finn? We forgot to discuss it today. We were busy dodging the law when we discovered your father’s advisor dead, and then you had the engagement dinner,” Gio’s voice fades off.
Gio is not only my advisor but also an attorney. He knows how to keep our men out of trouble and who to put on our cases should anyone end up in court.
“It can’t be tied to us. Make it an overdose. Make sure he’s no one important and that there are no witnesses. I don’t want a band of angry Irishmen on my ass. I’m taking a wife. It would be nice not to have to look over my shoulder when I go on a honeymoon.”
“Oh, a honeymoon? I thought Alena was only a business arrangement.”
“I can’t change the fact that the woman is as fuckable as she is insatiable. Besides, I need to put a baby in her. I need an heir.”
“Sounds like you met your match if you ask me.”
“I didn’t ask you,” I reply somberly. “Tell Antonio to make sure there are no fuckups. I’m all for keeping Caitlan safe. Some men don’t respond to warnings. I have too much to worry about than to be involved with domestic issues. Take care of it, and I never want to hear of it again.”
“I’m on it,” Gio says before bidding me a good night.
This Finn situation is a nasty business. Irishmen love their dark ale and are known to be unpredictable. They also hold grudges forever. Forget about the Luck of the Irish. I’m a fucking Italian, and the Irish are a pain in my ass. They’ve been at war with a clan in England for years over a hit on a family member, and I have no desire to wind up in the same situation.
I slide into bed. I wonder what is going through Alena’s mind now that she knows who I am. Her eyes flashed with delight when she looked at the ring. I’ve never been in a relationship. However, she’s my Angel, and she deserves the most impressive ring. Besides, I want everyone to know that she’s mine.
Where could we go for a honeymoon? Sicily is lovely, but we’d be overrun with my family around and dropping in to see my new wife. I don’t have much of a lead on who might want me dead. So far, nothing has panned out. I’m like a dog chasing its tail. I’m running in circles, hoping our next lead doesn’t meet with another dead end or a dead body.
What did Dad do? He was my father, but I didn’t know him to be anything other than the ruthless and abusive man he was. I took the brunt of the spankings and beatings. Whenever he had a bad day, he took it out on me.
Was Dad the only target? Or does someone want me dead? I never leave my livelihood or that of my siblings up to chance. Logically, whoever killed him might want me dead as well.
Living defensively is the only course of action. I don’t know how I’ll break the news to Alena. She’s never been in a gilded cage, but the danger that’s lurking beyond my walls is real, whether Dad was murdered or not. To me, the most dangerous time for a don is at the beginning and end of his service.
Death by poison is the sign of a coward or a woman, but weeks have passed, and I’ve not been able to ascertain anything. I’m frustrated, and it pisses me off.
My mind wanders to Alena and how she threw her tidbit about sex with an Italian in my face at dinner. She almost got me. If I hadn’t followed her, I might have believed she was seeing someone else. I chuckle when I remember looking at her mother’s face after the comment. I thought she would choke on her borsch.
Alena is a lively woman, and I doubt life will ever be dull. Can I make her leave all that she’s known in the city and her life with her friends to be my wife and the mother to my children?
I need to go through Dad’s papers. If I continue to ponder all of my problems tonight, I’ll never get any rest, and I have to be alert now, more than ever.
CHAPTER 18
ALENA
I didn’t get much sleep. The weight of my father’s lack of good judgment disturbs me. Why would he go behind the don’s back and take a deal for himself? I’ve never seen him angry at Alexsei. Is my father planning a campaign to unseat him? If he is, that means Izzy and Dmitry are in danger.
I’m curling my hair for work when my phone dings with a message.
I pick up my phone but don’t recognize the number. Glancing at the message, I realize it’s from my fiancé. The word fiancé is strange even though I knew I’d be married sooner rather than later.
How much time do I have before we are to be married? I’m just finding myself and don’t want to leave the city. The presence of Matteo added excitement to my single life. I can’t deny that I fantasized about him. What did I expect from him? Love?
Is he capable of love? I read the message.
I’ll pick you up after work for dinner.
I save his number, push the letters on my keypad, and type Mr. Grey.
Fine.
Vito is your new guard. He’s waiting downstairs. Do not fight me on this. You’ve been irresponsible with your safety.
