Page 134 of Cruelest Contract
Matthias lifts an eyebrow. “Rumor has it you’ve seized control of his coastal territory.”
I’m reluctant to respond. The old man left us with little choice. His grip on his own network was becoming too erratic. With the Bratva and various cartels hungry to jump on any opportunity, we stepped in rather than risk losing that crucial port control. Many of our deals, including the one we just made with Vittorio Messina, depend on coast access for various imports, both legal and illegal.
“We did what we had to do,” I tell Matthias.
The details are none of his business. Angelo and his grandfather aren’t finished throwing a tantrum but so what? Grimaldi probably only has a few months to live, if that. And Angelo can be bought off. He just wants to squawk for a little while first.
Sometimes I forget that Cecilia’s twin, Gabriel, is also part of the equation. Since Gabriel hasn’t called to scream a colorful string of curses in my ear, I’ll assume he isn’t too bent out of shape. I’ll find a job for him if that’s what his sister wants. Something that will keep him out of trouble and out of my hair.
Matthias seems amused by the news of his grandfather’s humiliation. “I’m sure the old man hates you for that.”
“I’m sure he does.”
His smirk fades. “I don’t hate you, Julian.”
“I’ll try to temper my gratitude.”
“Don’t get me wrong,” he says with a snort. “I showed up at the ranch ready to break your spine over my knee.”
Fat fucking chance of that. However, I hold my tongue when my gaze snags on his right arm. Matthias has decorated himselfwith a chaotic collection of ink, as if he randomly chooses designs based on his current mood. But the name Daniela runs the length of his forearm.
Twelve years ago, I watched Matthias pledge eternity to a beautiful girl in a white dress. Hours later, she was lying in a pool of blood. He also lost his parents that day, same as Cecilia, but one look at the name carved into his skin shows what broke him the most.
He and my father have this in common. My father was forced to pick himself up because he had us boys to deal with. For Matthias, there’s only a void. And the future he should have had.
A deep crunch of sympathy in my chest doesn’t exactly make me feel affection for the man. However, I can’t despise him either.
Losing Cecilia in that way would be unimaginable. I know I couldn’t cope. I can’t blame Matthias for whatever he’s become. I’d turn into a monster too.
As quickly as the thought arrives, I drive it away and ban it from returning.
“If you don’t want to be like me, then don’t fucking be like me.”
No, I won’t be like Matthias and I won’t be like my father because I’ll never lose my wife. No matter the cost, Cecilia will be protected. I’m out here fortifying every layer of defense, eliminating every threat. I won’t stop.
As the silence stretches, Matthias’s brow creases. “Look, I didn’t know about Mancini at the time. Now I do. My grandfather would have handed her off to that pig without a second thought.”
“She doesn’t know that,” I point out.
His eyes study my face, judging for a long moment. “Good,” he finally says. “Keep it that way.”
I flag the bartender down for another beer. I order one for Matthias too.
He polishes the second beer off within a minute. “You’re close to your brothers,” he says and it’s not a question. He sounds strangely curious.
“Always have been,” I say. “What aboutyourbrothers? You don’t keep in touch with Gabriel and Angelo, do you?”
“My grandfather has kept them under his wing, away from me. And Cecilia…” He trails off with a wince.
“Cecilia is perfect,” I assure him. “She’s smart and beautiful and she can stand up for herself.” I hesitate, wondering if I have the right to share this news. “She’s pregnant. I don’t know if you’ve heard.”
He nods. “Yeah, I did hear.”
“Twins. Due in March.”
He nods again but either the subject or the alcohol has mellowed him a bit and now he simply appears thoughtful, not angry.
After one more beer, Matthias doesn’t stick around. He’s flying back to New York early in the morning.
