Page 35 of Bittersweet Endings
“Not in the mood?” The blonde’s voice was teasing, light, as if she thought she could fix that.
I turned to her, let her see it—the darkness barely restrained behind my eyes and seconds from traipsing across to hers. It was a simple picture for her, the death she faced if she didn’t move the fuck on. Because with someone like her, the need to please was all a façade. She’d crumbled in my grasp. Finally, she caught wind of my anger and turned pale before backing away.
Smart girl.
Octavia would’ve faced me head-on. I’d be left bleeding and her ass would be red, but the sex would have been fire.
Matteo met my stare from across the table again.
Shut the fuck up,I said internally, turning back towards the room.
The club was alive, but the VIP section was a world apart—distant, untouchable. Just the way I liked it. From here, I could watch everything, see who was moving where, who was paying a little too much attention, who thought I was getting too comfortable.
Matteo exhaled sharply. “You know, everyone sees it.”
I barely glanced at him, my drink hovering near my lips. “Sees what?”
“That you’re the strong one. The future. Always have been.” He tipped his own glass towards me, like he was making a toast. “The one who’s going to take this family higher than it’s ever been.”
I smirked, the kind that didn’t reach my eyes. “You’re drunk. Or just plain stupid.”
Matteo had this way of staring through you as if he were trying to figure out what made you tick. If you were the enemy, it was to see how he could tear you apart.
“I’m serious, Carmine.” His tone was edged with something firm, something final. “JP’s reign is ending. And when it does, the family doesn’t just survive. It thrives.” He leaned forward, his eyes sharp. “Your hard work, dedication, and ferocity has followed you since we were kids.”
I stayed silent, taking a slow sip of my drink, letting the ice burn my throat. I knew what he was saying was true. The old man’s time was running out. And when he was gone, it was all mine. Every street, every deal, every goddamn throne the city had to offer.
But Matteo wasn’t finished.
“You don’t have to shut yourself off to do it.”
That made me pause.
“You think you have to kill every part of yourself to run thiscity, but you don’t.” His gaze darkened. “You want her? Take her.”
“Shut the fuck up.”This time, I said it aloud.
He leaned in, his voice low, lethal. “You and I both know there’s nothing we wouldn’t do to get what we want. So, let’s do it. Let’s burn that fucking city down. I’ll light the match myself if that’s what it takes.” He paused. “Wanting her doesn’t make you weak.”
My chest felt tight, the words settling deep, carving themselves into something restless inside me.
He sat back, tipping his drink up with an easy smirk. “We take it all,fratello.” His eyes glinted, full of fire. “And we don’t lose. Because. We. Never. Fucking lose. Together.”
I exhaled slowly, the weight of his words sinking in. Matteo was right. I didn’t have to lose. And for the first time in a long time, I actually smiled.
Until my phone vibrated against the table, the screen lighting up with her name.
Why are you such a fucking peacock?
I huffed a quiet laugh, my fingers tapping against the screen as I leaned back against the leather of the VIP booth. Sending her a question mark, her response was almost immediate.
Pea. Cock. Peacock. Strutting your blonde skanks around the nightclubs.?
You drunk?
The dots popped up and disappeared. Hesitating.
Fuck off.
