PROLOGUEMATTEOPresent Day Arianna’s eyes were wide as she stared at my gun. “Matteo, are you insane?”I lifted my shoulder and said simply, “When you’re not around, yes.” And how true that was. My lips curved into a sardonic smile, the rage that had been consuming me for weeks finally dulling. “It’s a good thing I found you right on time for my birthday.”But I guess that didn’t matter to her. I didn’t matter to her, because she refused to choose me.“I already told you,” she said softly. “I’m done with you, Matteo. After that stunt you pulled…”My vision filled with red while I stared at her and that ridiculous brown wig she was wearing. Unlike her usual designer attire, she’d opted for sweatpants and an oversized hoodie. Did she really think I wouldn’t recognize her? I could be blindfolded and I’d still spot her anywhere.And after scouring the earth for the past two weeks, descending into darkness as I worried myself sick about her, I was well beyond pissed off.She took a step

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CHAPTER ONEARIANNA, 8 YEARS OLDMusic and laughter rang out, filling the Vitales’ backyard. Despite the cold October day, everyone was in good spirits as they celebrated yet another birthday.Matteo Vitale turned eight today.His parties were always all-day events, with presents, cake, singing, and more presents, of course. Daddy’s friends threw the best parties, but my favorite was Hannah’s and mine. We’d just recently turned eight, and Daddy got us both a pony, plus a telescope to share.I looked around the yard and found my mom, happy in my dad’s arms while he laughed and tried to press down her messy flyaways. She pecked his cheek and pushed herself away, crossing the lawn to join the women lounging on the pool chairs. It was already past sundown and far too cold to dip in the pool, but they looked comfortable with the wool blankets draped over their laps. Dad shook his head and grinned, joining the men pretending to grill.I took a sip of my punch and watched Hannah chase Matteo

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CHAPTER TWOMATIEO, 24 YEARS OLDSix Weeks Earlier I was born to reign over my father’s criminal empire.No questions asked.It was the reason I found myself parked at the library of St. Jean D’Arc School. D’Arc was unique, founded by four very determined women to help mafia children—especially daughters—find their footing in the world. But in the end, this school became so much more than they imagined.Initially, the plan was to establish a boarding school for high school–aged kids, but there weren’t many families eager to send their children away from home so soon. Therefore, it was swiftly updated into a university with undergraduate and graduate classes, allowing students to earn the same degrees that most colleges offered.But D’Arc went a step further, offering extra-curricular activities that weren’t taught at a normal university. After all, this school was founded by members of powerful crime families with illegally obtained money and was run and funded by families with conne

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CHAPTER THREEARIANNA, 25 YEARS OLDWhy didn’t I just stay at St. Jean D’Arc?As another round of gunfire and screams sounded, my reasoning behind the move to Yale felt incomprehensible. Taking online courses through Yale to get my graduate degree in astrophysics worked perfectly fine while I was still atD’Arc. But no, I wanted to venture off instead.And now it might cost me my life. And Francesca’s.Why is it that my decisions always end up hurting everyone around me? I thought, my heartstrings pulling tight to the point of physical pain. But I forced those thoughts out. Stay present, Ari.I pulled the hem of my green Gucci dress over my knees and hugged them tighter to my chest. Francesca and I were crouched underneath one of the desks in the library while chaos erupted all around us. I cursed my newfound independence and the joy that had washed over me when my parents finally agreed to let me study here, and I pressed my hand over my mouth to stifle my whimpers.“Where’s the poli

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Todos os capítulos de Matteo: A Dark College Romance: Capítulo 1 - Capítulo 4

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