Page 67 of Mafia King: Matteo
We share a laugh filled with relief. I never considered that my marriage could change the dynamics of my relationship with my best friend. Navigating this will be a challenge if the bratva doesn’t stand behind me.
“Is everything going to be alright?” I ask in a hushed tone. The gravity of the situation has hit.
“I hope so. Nothing can keep us apart if it’s up to you and me.” She speaks softly. She understands the implications of the situation as much as I do.
I don’t know what’s going to happen, Izzy. I thought I’d marry a capo.
“I know. Trust me, this has thrown me for a loop. However, I’ll talk to Dmitry tonight. He’s home, and I’ll let Matteo call Dad.”
“Thank you so much. You’re the best, Izzy. Ironically, your mother ran from this life, and we’re both into it up to our necks.”
“I know. I hope she’s not disappointed in me. However, I have nothing to do with my grandfather, Santino Morreti. He’s never tried to reach me, and I’m relieved. I want nothing to do with him. He kept my mother from the man she loved, and she died over it. He’s a mean man, Alena.”
“I know. I’m glad he’s left you alone. Do you ever think someone is following you?”
“No, I have good intuition about that. But who knows? I hope nothing is going on behind my back. I try to think ahead. When life in the moment scares me, I try to think of something that makes me happy.”
“That’s good advice. I’ll remember it.”
“It’s late, but I’ll talk to you during your lunch break tomorrow.”
“Great. I’ll talk to you then. Love you.”
“Love you.”
CHAPTER 23
MATTEO
Gio and I talk on the ride to my estate. I’m not thrilled about Finn’s passing, even though he got what he deserved. Gio and Antonio know how much I hate for my men to ask me for favors.
“I’m not fucking Santa delivering gifts,” I complain to Gio.
“I know. It’s one and done. Let’s hope it all goes according to plan.”
“Men like Finn, well, there’s no cure for that. Addiction is addiction, and it eats people from the inside out and the outside in. This is why I avoid taking drugs for anything, and I’ve never sampled the goods.”
“You just sell them,” he murmurs with sarcasm.
“True. We all do. They will circulate whether I have a hand in it or not. It’s the status quo, and our government has its hand in the profits as well. It trickles down to every political campaign and drug rehabilitation program. I can’t swim against these currents. I’d be out on a ledge, and my empire would crumble into ashes.”
“That’s so true,” Gio says as we pass my guard gate.
My phone beeps.
Alena.
“It appears Alena is getting us tickets to the event, but Don Sidovo is expecting a call from me.”
“Shit, we should have done it like yesterday,” Gio mutters and runs his hand through his hair.
“You’re sweating this as if you’re the groom,” I joke.
“Yeah, well, he could come out the door and shoot your balls off. If that happens, you’re on your own,” he states flippantly.
I let out a snicker. For being a man who doesn’t show emotion, I’m in a good mood for the first time in years. I’ve managed to laugh and enjoy myself tonight.
“Alena is on top of the situation,” he states.
