Matteo.
Most plans weren’t perfect and would often go wrong within a few hours or minutes.
Caterina was dead because I thought my last plan was perfect.
So this time I didn’t plan.
The mansion was steeped in luxury, but its opulence couldn’t mask the undercurrent of unease that rippled through the dinner table. Annalise sat across from me, her carefully curated smile never faltering as she exchanged pleasantries with her parents.
She wasn’t that bad when one thought about it. Sure, she was concerned with status and what people thought about us… that didn’t mean she deserved what I was using her to do.
No one deserved to be used.
My eyes moved to her family’s patriarch, her uncle Richard, who sat at the head of the table, exuding a quiet authority that silenced even the faintest whispers.
Most people didn’t like him.
Richard was a high-ranking figure in the mafia world, someone who operated behind the scenes, pulling strings that shaped entire empires.
He was ruthless. He killed without a care and was very protective of his family.
And he had answers I needed… whether he wanted to give them or not.
I kept my expression neutral, twirling the stem of my wine glass between my fingers, though every muscle in my body coiled like a predator ready to strike. A calculated move on my part to attend this dinner the moment Annalise mentioned it.
“Matteo,” Richard finally addressed me, his sharp blue eyes locking onto mine. “It’s rare to see you at this family affairs. What brought you to our table tonight?”
Of course.
I offered a tight-lipped smile, leaning back in my chair. “I thought it was time to get to know the only absent future in-law since I got engaged to Annalise. After all, family is everything, isn’t it?”
A flicker of amusement crossed his face, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Indeed it is,” He took a sip from his glass. “But I never took you for an opportunist, Matteo. I always thought this was just a marriage of convenience for both of you.”
Another thing… Richard was observant. He wouldn’t be one of the best if he wasn’t.
“Something changed.”
The conversation veered into safer territory after that… business deals, societal gossip, and even Annalise’s upcoming charity gala. I played along, offering polite responses, all the whole keeping an eye on Richard.
He was good at deflecting, but every so often, his eyes would dart toward me, wary and calculating.
He knew why I was here.
It wasn’t until dessert was served that he made his move, excusing himself from the table with a murmured apology about a phone call.
Bullshit.
I watched him leave, my jaw tightening.
Did the bastard really think he could slip away unnoticed?
“Excuse me.” I said, pushing back my chair.
“Matteo…” Annalise started, shooting a curious glance my way, but I ignored her, following Richard down the hallway.
I found him in a study, a cigar already lit between his fingers as he stared out the window. He didn’t turn when I entered, but his shoulders tensed ever so slightly.
“Can’t a man enjoy a moment of peace without being followed?” he drawled.
“Not when he’s avoiding a conversation.” I replied, closing the door behind me.
Richard finally turned, those blue eyes now darker than they were moments ago. Unyielding.
“I don’t appreciate being cornered, Matteo.”
“And I don’t appreciate being lied to, so why don’t we make this quick,” I shot back, stepping closer. “You knew my mother, didn’t you?”
His jaw hardened, and for a moment, I thought he might deny it. But then he exhaled sharply, setting his cigar down on the edge of the desk. “Your mother was… complicated.”
A light in a world full of darkness attracting those shadows.
“That’s not an answer.”
“She was involved in things she couldn’t have been,” He continued, his tone clipped. “She made multiple enemies over the years. Powerful ones. If you’re here looking for someone to blame for her death, you’re wasting your time.”
I was stuck in the same place.
Powerful names. Powerful people. Multiple enemies who wished her dead.
But only one person had the guts to do the deed.
I unclenched my fists, keeping my voice low. “I don’t need your excuses. I need names.”
The bastard shook his head, a bitter smile tugging at his lips. “You’re just like her. Always charging in, demanding answers without understanding the cost. And just like your father. Using people until you no longer need them.”
“Don’t you dare compare me to him,” I growled, taking another step forward. “He let her die. He betrayed her, just like the rest of you.”
It happened so suddenly.
A slip of the mask showed a flicker of something close to guilt reflecting in Richard’s eyes before it was quickly buried.
“She was warned,” He said quietly. “She knew the risks.”
Now that was new.
“Warned about what?” I pressed. “Who was after her?”
Another flicker of hesitation, and I knew I was close. But just as he opened his mouth to speak, there was a knock at the door.
Annalise’s voice floated through the wood, soft and uncertain.
“Uncle Richard? Matteo? Is everything all right?”
Richard’s eyes met mine, and I saw the briefest hint of relief there. He wasn’t going to tell me anything.
Not willingly, at least.
“Everything’s fine,” I called out, forcing an even tone. “We’ll be out in a moment.”
Nothing but quiet.
Then… “Okay.”
I waited until her footsteps retreated before turning back to him. The bastard had a smirk on his face now as he reached for his cigar again.
“You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
“You’re persistent. I’ll give you that.”
Before he could take a puff, I stepped forward, slamming my hand on the desk. The sound echoed in the small room, and Richard froze.
Good.
“I know about the deal you made with the Berrettis,” I said, plucking the cigar from his hand and placing it back on the tray. “I know about the shipment you diverted to cover your debts. How do you think Giovanni, Pedro, and the rest of the council would feel about that, hmmm?”
If anyone ever asked me to describe a human turning into a tomato, Richard would be the best example to us.
“You’re bluffing.”
“Am I?” I leaned closer, my eyes boring into his. “Try me.”
Tick.
Tock.
For a long moment, the room was silent, the tension so thick it was suffocating. Then, finally, Richard exhaled before slumping back in his chair.
Bingo.
“You really are your mother’s son.” he muttered.
“Names.” I demanded.
He rubbed a hand over his face, muttering a string of curses under his breath. “Fine. You want a name? Start with Lorenzo Giordano. He was the one pulling the strings back then.”
I committed the name to memory, my jaw tightening. “And?”
“And nothing,” he snapped. “That’s all you’re getting from me. Now, get out of my study.”
I didn’t move immediately, studying him for any sign of deceit. But he met my gaze head-on, his expression hard and unyielding.
“Pleasure doing business with you.” I said coldly before turning on my heel and walking out.
As I stepped back into the dining room, Annalise was waiting for me, her brow furrowed with concern. “Is everything okay?”
“Perfectly,” I said, plastering on a charming smile. “Your uncle and I just had a little chat.”
She didn’t look convinced, but I didn’t care. My mind was already racing ahead, plotting my next move. Lorenzo Giordano… the name echoed in my mind like a warning bell.
I gave myself a few weeks to complete this task, and I was just getting started.