Page 82 of Mafia King: Matteo
“No. Really?” I reply, but I can’t say that I’m shocked. “Has he lost it?”
“I don’t know. I hope he never finds out who I am. I don’t want to be near him. Dmitry looks forward to meeting Matteo at the gala. I was able to get a gown that fit. Imagine that.”
“That’s great. Matteo has something ordered or being made. I’m not sure. I’ve never been to anything as fancy as this.”
“It’s different than the red carpet. We’re in good company. It’s going to be the most popular affair in the city this winter, and we’ll be together for it. It will be fun. Besides, with Dmitry and Matteo at our side, what can go wrong?”
“Don’t say that. We know what can go wrong!” I all but yell with anxiety as I remember the bombing at her wedding. “But you are right. The fact that we get to attend one of the most prestigious events in the city, and I’ll be with you, will make it a great time. I’m sure my days at the clubs are over unless Matteo takes me.”
“Oh, I know they are,” she replies. The tone of her voice tells me Dmitry is just as possessive.
“I will tell you more when I see you. I’m calling to give you a message. Please tell Dmitry that my father needs to be watched.”
“What do you mean?”
“You never liked him, Izzy. Read between the lines. I can’t tell you specifically; I don’t know, but his hands are dirty. Be careful.”
“We’ll talk later and get caught up, but I’ll pass it along.”
“Thank you. I have to go, but we’ll see you at the gala.”
“You bet.”
“Ciao,” I reply. She says, “Goodbye” with a chuckle.
I hear Matteo calling for me, and by the time I reach the staircase, he informs me we have an appointment in the city tomorrow. I’m being fitted for the masquerade gown.
“What does it look like?” My heart flutters at the thought of a beautiful gown for a themed event.
“You’ll see,” he says. “I take it you spoke to Izzy?”
“Yes, the message was a bit cryptic, but she understands the unspoken words. I can’t inform her of specific details, and we don’t know what he’s doing. Right?” My eyes question him. I don’t think he would keep information regarding my father to himself.
Would he tell me the truth if he knew it?
“Yes. If I knew something, I’d have to divulge it to Alexsei. I can’t tell him something on a hunch that is against a man he’s trusted for years. The warning needed to come from you.”
“I think Izzy is a good judge of character. She hid whenever my father stopped by my condo.”
“Time will tell,” he replies as he escorts me to the top floor of the house.
“What’s up here?” I ask.
“Are you always so inquisitive?” He mocks me as we climb a narrow spiral staircase at the end of the second floor.
“Maybe,” I tease. I reach for Matteo’s arm as the steps are narrow.
When we reach the top, we face a huge room with wood flooring worthy of a dance studio. The wall along the left is filled with one large window after another, and the sun is setting on the foliage outside. At the end of the room are numerous rectangular stacked verticals, and they are paired down the higher they extend with curved windows, creating a picturesque cathedral effect. Brown and off-white stones fill the wall, providing a perfect frame for the stunning water view. We’re not far from the shoreline.
The space features a pool table, a mini-bar, and a long sofa accompanied by a coffee table.
“Is that a bathroom behind the bar?” I ask, turning to see his face in the evening’s light.
“It doubles as another master bedroom. It might be useful for guests.”
“I counted six large bedrooms today,” I state.
“This is seven.”
