Page 155 of Dare To Love Me

“Let’s go into the sitting room,” Matteo suggested.

I followed as we made our way to the couches but didn’t sit.

“Ok. So, here is what I have.” He handed me a large manilla envelope. “I charted a private plane to take you out of the country using a company we have no affiliation with, also using your new names and bank accounts. So, nothing should trace back to me. As of right now, all the pilots know is the destination is Europe. You can tell them exactly where you want to go when you board.” Matteo pointed to the envelope in my hand. “All the documents you will need are in there: passports, IDs, account numbers, everything. Even back-ups in case the first set become compromised, but I doubt you will need them. I also opened three separate off-shore accounts for you.”

“How did you get all this so fast?” I asked with incredulity.

“They have been done for days. Made the call after Arianna asked me to.”

Flipping through the documents I froze on the page with account numbers and balances. “Matteo there is a combined forty million dollars in these accounts.” I shook my head. For Matteo forty million was nothing, but with that amount of money Becka and I could live comfortable for multiple lifetimes.

“Yes, I know,” Matteo chuckled with a smug grin. “I figured that’s about what your estate and accounts will be worth after I liquidate your things. Remember Luca, you are dead. Everything comes back to me.”

“This is more and you know it.” At least five-million more. I didn’t want handouts to that extent. Technically I was entitled to nothing. Matteo already did and risked so much. I refused to walk away feeling like I’d used my friend unnecessarily. Several thousand would have been fine. I’d already been prepared to do whatever was necessary to take care of Becka and provide for her the way she deserved.

He shrugged. “So think of the money and extra as a late wedding gift.”

My head was shaking again. “Thank you brother. For everything.”

Swallowing hard I was almost afraid to ask my next question. “Who’s going to watch your back?” Suddenly the realization that the one person Matteo trusted most was abandoning him slapped me the face. Guilt rode me hard, the envelope crinkled in my hands against the pain.

“Don’t worry about me. Nico is loyal to a fault, he will be the new Underboss. I trust him. He’s a bit of a hothead, but trust him nonetheless.”

“I’m going to miss you brother. It’s been a crazy ride.” I pulled him into another hug and hoped it wouldn’t be the last.

Matteo broke the embrace first, slapping me no the shoulder. “Oh, I’m sure we will see each other again. You really think we can keep the girls apart forever?”

I laughed. “No, definitely not. I’ll find a way to keep in touch. When you feel the time is right, let me know. We will find a way to meet.”

He answered with a stiff nod and my chest pinched at the thought of how much I would miss seeing his signature gesture.

There was no telling how long it would be until it was safe to meet. However long it took for things to blow over and for everyone not only except my death but stop thinking about me on a regular basis.

And I never imagined one day I’d feel happy about being forgotten.

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