Chapter Two

I sit in front of the mirror and take deep breaths. So turns out knowing his secrets is way worse than not knowing. My makeup is light but heavy enough to hide the eye bags under my eyes. I cancelled my shift just to take Matteo to see his dad.

I brush my hair for the millionth time, something I do when I am thinking. His dad was nothing I expected.

Since we were kids, growing up in the same neighbourhood I always thought our mom’s dated the same brand of men. Glaring red flags who are playboys and definitely trouble. In a way I was right. His dad is Lorenzo Romano, the Lorenzo Romano. Owner of three five star Hotels in New York and various clubs and casinos. But outside the tabloids, in the whispers he is the leader of the new York mafia, the ‘don’.

I shiver, I don’t blame Matteo as his girlfriend. Can you imagine telling your girlfriend that your father is the head of one of the strongest crime syndicate and which you may be the sole heir? Fucking crazy. But as his childhood best friend I am wounded.

A warm hand halts my now frantic actions, he gently pries the brush from my hand and kisses my knuckles, an apology and a comfort.

“Thanks for coming with me.” He whispers into my fingers tickling them a bit. I nod and stand.

He takes in my body and I feel a warm tingly feeling. It’s a cheap blue dress with a plunging neckline, not the best for meeting your boyfriend’s family but it will do. Lorenzo wants to treat his son at the only classy restaurant in this shitty town. The girlfriend is coming along for the ride, though I think I am the buffer.

“You look perfect.” He whispers pulling me towards him. I land on his hard chest, lavender envelopes me and I want to drown in him.

“We should go.” I whisper but I don’t move away from him. He looks down and a ghost of his lips grace mine. I shudder and move away.

The distance from the house to the restaurant is short, too fucking short. We make our way to the door and if Matteo wasn’t holding my hand tightly I want to bet I would combust.

Matteo leads me to a table, and in front of me is not some sleazy old man but a gentle man. Everything about him is sleek and dangerous. His grey eyes are cold and calculating. He is leaning back on his chair a cigarette lit and between his fingers. If I could explain him in three simple words it will be, handsome, cold and dangerous.

“Matteo.” He says and takes a puff of his cigarette. No one tells him not to, no one dares.

Matteo squeezes my hand almost painfully. We sit down and he signals the waiter who gives us all menus. He barely glances at it before ordering for all of us. No questions asked, I roll my eyes. I catch two men watching us, his men. And after that I see more people watching us, some are civilians but most are watching like we are threats. I pour myself a glass of water my throat suddenly dry.

“What do you want.” It’s a statement and Matteo is seething. He still grips my hand like a life line and I don’t mind it. I am his life line and he is mine.

Instead of him answering Lorenzo stares at me his brow arching in what I assume is amusement.

“You must be the girlfriend. “ His voice is low his face passive.

I nod and pick the glass of wine previously poured completely ignoring the half finished glass of water. I need liquid strength.

“You haven’t answered my question.” Matteo is red with suppressed fury. And all of a sudden I can’t help but note the difference between father and son. Lorenzo is calm shows no emotion not even in his eyes, Matteo on the other hand is not contained, he shows everything he feels on the surface.

“You know what I want. You have ran from your responsibility for far too long. It is time to come back.” Lorenzo says simply and Matteo let’s go of my hand. I feel the absence of heat.

“Fuck no, I want nothing to do with you and your fucking business.”

Lorenzo Just shrugs nonchalantly and this makes Matteo angrier.

“We just take the girl with us.” Lorenzo days and I freeze. What the hell did I do.

“Don’t you fucking dare!” Matteo shouts and stands up. That’s my signal to leave and we start walking away but before we get to the door I feel something pressed to the small of my back. I freeze.

Matteo looks back and his eyes widen. He looks afraid but all I feel is anger. The guy nudges what I am sure is a gun for me to move. I do until we are outside in the almost empty parking lot.

I search for Matteo, he is back with his dad. Men, no common sense. On an impulse I jab my elbow into his stomach. Unlike what all the movies show, he doesn’t double over in pain and my elbow hurts like a bitch. Instead he yanks my hair sending a jolt of pain.

“Now...now Luca we don’t treat guests like that.” Lorenzo’s voice comes out patronising.

Luca Just smirks that is until Matteo punches him hard and he falls down.

“Don’t fucking touch her!” He spits and then hugs me. I cling to him like a koala. My eyes tear up and I glare at Lorenzo, his grey eyes just flash with pleasure and he smiles.

“I expect you in New York in one week...both of you.” He says and walks away, Luca doesn’t even glance at Matteo he just walks away.

“I am so sorry Riley.” Matteo says defeated.

Turns out they had struck a deal, Matteo goes home and becomes a made man and insecure his father doesn’t blow my brains out. Just great.