MATTEO’s POV
As Carter spoke, I found myself staring at him. My mind drifted away completely, and I couldn’t help but feel a smile forming on my face. She was perfect. Remembering the night before, I realized I had let my guard down, but I was okay with it.
I was tired of pretending to be tough with her. My dad had been right; deep down, I was as soft as jelly. That’s how Daya always toyed with my emotions.
“Boss? Boss…”. I heard a faint voice call out, but I was still caught up in my head. The way she moaned under me, Her lips, undulating as she repeated my name.
I sighed contentedly and leaned back in my seat, a proud smile gracing my face. I knew I had stirred something within her. Something I was sure Dennis could never evoke.
“Matteo?”. I looked at him, and I saw a confused look on his face. “You missed the entire meeting. What were you thinking?”.
“About my wife”. I said, wearing a proud smirk.
“Your…wife?” Charlie asked whilst smoking his cigar.
I nodded, and he chuckled after shrugging
“I guess love is in the air”. He sighed, and I cleared my throat.
“What do you mean?”. I asked, suddenly becoming serious.
“Your sister, Gia. Isn’t she wonderful?”. Charlie asked, and I looked at him for a good minute before turning to Carter, who looked dumbfounded.
“What do you mean, Charles?”. He asked, but Charles laughed it off.
As I glanced at my watch, I noticed it was already 6 pm. It was time to head home to my wife. I reached for my suit jacket, preparing to leave, when Carter reached out and held my arm.
“It’s happening again, Matteo. You’re going to fall for her, just the way you did for daya. And she’ll break you like daya did. You lost so much. Don’t you care about your family? What will your men say? That you don’t care about them? They lost their brothers, too, in that fire. You should be seeking revenge not getting distracted by women”. Carter said in one breath. I sensed the anger in his tone and the intensity of his gaze. Gently, I pulled my arm away and whispered.
“No matter what happens, I’m still the don”.
He nodded, forcing a smile onto his face, and then I was on my way. The sound of my shoes clicking against the ground echoed as I walked.
Though excitement buzzed in my mind, I kept a composed expression; my employees needed to see their boss as strong and unwavering. I rushed out of Marino’s, jumped into my car, and drove off.
I needed to see her, leaving early for work that morning meant I hadn’t had a chance to talk with her before leaving, and I knew that was a pretty crappy thing to do. But I was ready to ask for her forgiveness. I longed to hold her in my arms again, to feel her small body close to mine, just like the night before.
The memory brought a smile to my face as I drove. My fingers inside her as I trailed my tongue on her warm body. Kissing and groaning as I moved my fingers in and out of her but my thoughts were caught off when I remembered the look on Daya’s face as she drove the knife into my chest.
My smile faded as I turned into my compound. The memory of the look in Daya’s eyes pierced me deeper. I had thought I was seeing the light, but I wasn’t. I pulled away before she could go too deep. Bringing my car to a halt just outside the mansion, I felt my hands fidgeting as I remembered the moment I slapped Daya across the face, seeing the surprise in her eyes as her cheek bruised.
Jumping out of my car, I ran into the mansion, my eyes desperately searching for a pair of big brown eyes. My gaze landed on Aria, seated on the couch with her small legs spread out before her, bare and beautiful. She looked stunning, more than beautiful.
As she smiled up at me, gratitude filled me with my late father’s insistence on the alliance. I had been avoiding her for too long because she was stirring up emotions in me again, ones I never wanted to feel again. Rushing to her side, she stood up with her arms wide open, but instead of embracing her, I leaned in and kissed her.
She tasted like wine and cheese, a combination I never knew existed. When I pulled away, she looked up at me, her beautiful eyes searching mine, as if feeling somewhat lost.
“Why?”. She whispered, but I looked at her nonetheless and smirked. Her eyes looked even more confused as I held her hands in mine, but I didn’t let go.
“Why are you doing this?”. She asked. “What happened to you”. She asked again, and for some reason, it pissed me off. I couldn’t pinpoint exactly why I was feeling this way, but my grip on her hands tightened involuntarily.
Opening my mouth to speak, the words tumbled out without much thought.
“Cause you’re mine”. My voice came out harsh, and I saw panic flash in her eyes, but she didn’t dare utter a word. I could hear her breath shudder, and it was clear she was frightened by the tone of my voice, which pricked at me slightly. Gripping her hands even tighter, I felt a twinge of guilt. Just then, I noticed her gaze shift away, but I didn’t follow it; instead, I kept my eyes locked on her.
“Aria…are you okay?”. I heard Mrs. Fletcher, say. Her voice was slightly worried.
“Come with me”. I heard myself, say, and I held her firmly, guiding her away with a harsh grip.
“Matteo, son…dinner is ready. You should have something to eat first.”
“I need some alone time with my wife”.
She was already sobbing, her fear evident as if she was too frightened to follow me. I knew she wasn’t completely comfortable with me, but I was really trying at this point.
“Matteo, Aria hasn’t eaten properly all day. Let her have dinner at least”. I freed her from my grip and watched how she cowered away.
Then, I turned to the door, and I saw Carter staring at us both. This heightened my anger, so I signaled him to come towards me, and he did.
“I see now”. I started
“What do you see?” I could hear the fear in his voice.
“You’re interested in my wife, aren’t you, Carter?” I said, patting his face gently before instantly grabbing him by the back of his neck and forcing him to look at me.
“Don’t make me want to kill you, Carter cause I won’t hesitate”. I said through gritted teeth. He looked at me and nodded, and I could tell he recalled the incident with the furnace. Patting his head, I sniffled before retiring to the dining room to join my wife.