Page 318 of Rosetti Family New York
The question hits too close to the truth. "Both, if necessary."
Silence stretches between us like a tight wire, broken only by the distant sound of traffic on the highway. When Matteo speaks again, his voice is colder than I've ever heard it.
"Then you're on your own. I won't be part of whatever self-destructive bullshit you're caught in."
"Matt..."
"Don't. Just... don't." I hear him moving again, probably getting dressed. "You want to burn everything down for her? Fine. But leave the family out of it."
"You don't know what you're talking about," I say quietly.
"Don't I? Then explain it to me. Explain why a Rosetti, a fucking Rosetti, is willing to burn bridges with his family for a woman who dumped him."
"Because I love her." The words come out before I can stop them, raw and honest. "Because she's the only thing that's ever mattered more than the family business. More than the codes we live by. More than anything."
Silence hits hard. When Matteo speaks again, his words are cold.
"Love. You think this sick obsession is love? This will destroy everything."
The line goes dead, and I stare at the phone while Mara watches me, knowing too much.
"He said no," she quietly notes.
"Yeah. He said no." I set the phone down, trying to control the anger and disappointment inside me.
"Emilio," Mara starts, but I stop her with a gesture.
"Don't. Whatever you're going to say, don't." I sit on the edge of the bed, feeling tired from the confrontation. "I know how this looks. I know what I just did."
"You chose me." Her voice is soft, filled with wonder. "Over your own family."
"I chose you over their approval," I clarify. "There's a difference."
She stands in front of me, looking at my face in the dim light. "Is there? Because it sounds like you just burned a bridge that can't be rebuilt."
"Maybe." I reach for her, placing my hands on her hips to pull her closer. "Does that scare you?"
"I'm terrified," she admits. "The thought that you'd give up so much for someone like me."
"Someone like you," I echo, my thumb brushing the curve of her hip through her jeans. "You mean someone brave enough to walk into danger? Someone smart enough to play different sides and not get caught? Someone who makes me feel human instead of just... useful?"
She holds my face in her hands, making me look at her. "Someone who's been lying to you about everything important."
Her words should hurt. Should spark the anger that's been growing since she came back to New York. But instead, I just pull her closer, until she's between my knees and I can rest my head against her stomach.
"Then tell me the truth," I whisper against her soft sweater. "All of it. The reason you left me. The reason you worked for Callahan. Let me help you with whatever you're hiding."
Her fingers run through my hair, nails gently scratching my scalp. "I can't. Not yet. Not until..."
"Until what?"
"The people I've been working for don't let go easily. Until I know how to deal with that, the truth puts us both in danger."
I lean back to look at her face, trying to find answers in the dim light. "How bad is it, Mara? What aren't you telling me?"
Fear mixed with determination shows on her face, desperation wrapped in careful control. "Bad enough that staying in this motel another night might be the safest choice."
Her words send a chill through me. Whatever she's running from, whatever is closing in on us, it's big enough to make a woman who's faced hell alone choose a cheap room over comfort and safety.
