Matteo’s POV
I fixed my holster to my waist and fixed two shotguns on each holder and wore a blazer to cover it. I didn’t want to walk around with people seeing guns on me. Even though some of the cops were under my payroll, it would make things even harder for them.
Today, I’ll make Angelo my consigliere in front of my underbosses, captains and soldiers. He had always rejected the position while trying to fight the darkness that lurked deep inside of him, but I knew that we couldn’t fight it except he wasn’t a true Moretti.
I enjoyed the idea of him working with me. Apart from Francesco and Aurora, he was the only loyal person that I knew would take a bullet for me without thinking twice about it.
Our love for each other was deeper and complex than anyone could understand. As a matter of fact, I didn’t want anyone to understand us… it was safer to be unpredictable when you are surrounded with people that you can’t trust.
Angelo waited for me beside one of my cars. We were to go together to an old warehouse after grey’s park. Things could go bloody and that was why I stashed away some bullets in the glove compartment of my jeep.
His shoulders looked tense and his eyes unsettled, but deep down was a strong and fearless man who was very ready for the new position to be given to him.
“Made all the last minute preparations?” He inquired with a carefree tone.
“I did, but one can never be too prepared with the traitors we have in our midst. Francesco has informed me that some of them have arrived and they are waiting patiently. The rest that aren’t, just want to test my patience.” I muttered as I opened the car door.
“In my opinion, I think that’s the worst thing that anyone should do. You can be a beast when ticked off wrongly,” He replied jokingly.
“Well, if they aren’t careful, they will see it first hand.” I said and watched his hesitation. The way he looked at his wristwatch showed that he was waiting for someone.
And I was proved right when Giselle approached him with a wary countenance. She was married to one of the members of the Outfit who was given an enviable position, so she should know what was going to happen today.
I minded my business but that didn’t stop my eyes from straying towards them. Angelo’s eyes held adoration and concern for her and fortunately she felt the same way.
I pressed the horn after checking my golden wristwatch and noticed that we were behind time.
The broke off the embrace, Angelo got into the car while she waved at us till I drove out of the house. When we were a tangible distance away from the house, I proceeded to interrogate him.
“Do you mind telling me what I saw earlier?” I probed and he chuckled, his voice rich with happiness.
“Nothing more than a few conversations and simple hugs. Did you see any other thing?” He joked and I slanted my Capo look at him causing him to shrugg. “Alright, I’ll tell you.” He sighed in resignation.
“Go on,” I urged. “Because other than the hug, you both wanted to eat each other up,”
“I can’t let that happen when you are present, but I could have eaten her up if I wasn’t feeling so tensed right now.” He replied honestly.
“You do know that Giselle is a widow and her late husband was one of my underbosses, right?” I questioned to be sure that he knew what he was doing.
He huffed and raked his hand through his hair in irritation. “We aren’t an item, Matteo. We just enjoy each other’s company and that’s all.”
“But you fvck her too? And she looks like she can kill for you. What the hell are you doing? You are about to become my consigliere yet you want to cause a fiasco in the outfit just because you can’t choose the right person to be with.” I hollered, losing my temper.
“Relax, bro.. It’s not like we are going to get married or get more serious than we are,” He countered and a dry chuckle escaped from my lips.
Angelo was being unreasonable and his actions were fueling my anger. Things were definitely going to be rough at the initiation.
“Let’s talk about this another time. You’re definitely angry for something else and not just because you saw me with Giselle.” He said and I snapped my lips shut from saying anything else.
He was right. Aurora had been cold since yesterday and when I found her by the pool earlier in the morning, she was crying. She refused to tell me the reason for her sadness and it annoyed me to know that she could trust me with her problems.
“I’m sorry, Angelo. I don’t want you to get hurt,” I apologized and he nodded with a smile.
“I won’t. I’m a master when it comes to women and if there’s anyone to get hurt then it’s certainly going to be you.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, cocking my head to the side.
“You have feelings for her and if my sense of judgment still remains strong then you are in love with her.” He pointed out and I flinched, glaring daggers at him but he didn’t seem fazed.
“Like you said, let’s talk about this later.” I concluded and drove into the warehouse which barely had any protection.
The fences had been torn to the ground and the gates had turned rusty and some of the parts had broken off. The warehouse could have been functioning and bringing a huge income to the owner, but mismanagement of funds made the building of the warehouse to be abandoned.
The owner got depressed and took his life and ever since it became private property or more like my property as I used the building sometimes for my dirty businesses.
I parked at the spot that was allocated to me and killed the engine.
Angelo gazed at me. “Let’s go and show these people who we are.”
We went into the warehouse and meandered towards the part which had a small hall and a platform. The hall was my making so that they’d see me clearly while I addressed them.
My eyes scanned through the crowd of underbosses, captains and soldiers. Almost all of them were seated and they got up when they saw me coming.
Then I noticed that someone was missing… no one else but Pietro who was Alessio’s younger brother. He was one of the captains of some soldiers I’d assigned to him. But if he didn’t make himself available at Matteo’s initiation today then I’ll consider it as betrayal and punish him according to our rules.
“Is there any reason for Pietro’s absence?” I asked, my voice resonating in the hall.
Most of them glanced at each other in surprise. Just then, Pietro walked in, his shoulder raised and his lips stretched in a cynical smirk. Then I saw it– his gun which was slowly raised at me and then he said.
“It will be a pleasure to pay you back in your own coin.”