218

218
Gianna’s POV
I had just settled onto the couch with a steaming mug of tea when I heard a knock at the door. My heart did a little flip. I could already tell who it was without checking. Not many people knew my residence, and the people who did wouldn’t just come here unannounced. Only he would.
Matteo wasn’t supposed to visit tonight, but then again, Matteo rarely followed plans. I set the mug down and went to open the door.
There he was, leaning casually against the doorframe, his dark hair slightly tousled, a sheepish grin on his face.
“Surprise,” he said, holding up a bag of takeout like a peace offering.
“Matteo,” I said with a smile, stepping aside to let him in. “You know you don’t have to bribe me to let you in, right?”
“Bribe?” he repeated, walking past me. “This is just me being thoughtful.”
“Uh-huh,” I said, closing the door behind him.
He kicked off his shoes and made his way to the couch like he owned the place. I followed, plopping down next to him. He opened the bag and started setting out containers of food.
“So, what brings you here tonight?” I asked, picking up a pair of chopsticks.
His expression shifted slightly, the grin fading into something more serious. “I wanted to see you,” he said, his tone softer now.
I raised an eyebrow. “Just me, or is there something on your mind?”
He hesitated, and that’s when I knew. Matteo didn’t do hesitation.
“Okay, spill it,” I said, nudging him with my elbow.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “It’s about Emilia.”
“Your sister?” I said, sitting up straighter. “What about her?”
“She… a lot’s happened,” he said, his voice tight. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, but things have been so crazy.”
I set the chopsticks down, my appetite vanishing swiftly. “Matteo, you’re starting to freak me out. What happened?”
He looked at me, His eyes dark with something I couldn’t quite place. “She was kidnapped.”
The words hit me like a punch. “What?”
“Yeah,” he said, leaning back against the couch. “She and Alaric went out, and they were ambushed. Some guys shot him and took her.”
“Wait, back up,” I said, holding up a hand. “Alaric? As in the mafia guy who helped you get the job?”
“Yeah,” he said grimly.
“And they just… took her?” I asked, my voice rising.
“Yeah,” he said again, his jaw tight. “She was gone for weeks. I couldn’t get in touch with her, had no idea what was going on. And then, one day, I call her and she miraculously picks up just to tell me that she was kidnapped.”
“How did she escape?” I asked, leaning forward.
“She ran away on her own,” Matteo said, his tone dripping with disdain. ” She ran away from the place where they were keeping her. And apparently, Alaric, who couldn’t protect her when she was being kidnapped, was the safest place for her to go to once she ran away.”
“And you’re just telling me this now?” I said, my heart racing.
“I didn’t want to drop it on you out of nowhere,” he said, his eyes meeting mine. “But yeah, it’s been… a lot.”
I sat back, trying to process what he’d just said. “Is she okay?”
“Physically, yeah,” he said. “But there’s more.”
“More?” I echoed, already feeling overwhelmed.
He nodded. “The guy who took her-Alonso-he claims he’s her father.”
I stared at him. “Her father?”
“Yeah,” Matteo said, his voice laced with bitterness. “He says she’s his daughter, Alessandra, and that our parents kept it a secret from us.”
I didn’t even know what to say to that.
“And now,” he continued, “she’s back with Alaric. They’re… together.”
“Together?” I repeated, my voice incredulous.
“Yeah,” he said, rubbing a hand over his face. “And to top it all off, he proposed to her. She said yes.”
I blinked, trying to make sense of everything he’d just told me. “So let me get this straight,” I said slowly. “Your sister was kidnapped, found out she might have a secret mafia dad, escaped, and now she’s engaged to another mafia don?”
“Pretty much,” he said, his tone flat.
I shook my head, leaning back against the couch. “Matteo, this is insane.”
“Tell me about it,” he muttered.
“And you’re okay with all of this?” I asked, studying his face.
He looked at me like I’d just asked if the sky was green. “No, I’m not okay with it,” he said. “But what can I do? Emilia’s stubborn. She thinks she knows what she’s doing.”
“But you don’t trust him,” I said.
“Not even a little,” Matteo said.
I reached out, placing a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry you’re dealing with all of this. It sounds like a nightmare.”
“Yeah,” he said, his voice softening. “But I’m glad I could talk to you about it. It helps.”
“Anytime,” I said, giving his arm a gentle squeeze.
For a moment, we just sat there, both of us quiet. Then Matteo turned to me, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“Thanks for not freaking out,” he said.
I raised an eyebrow. “Who says I’m not freaking out?”
He laughed, the sound lightening the mood just a little. “Fair point.”
“Seriously, though,” I said, leaning my head against his shoulder. “If you need anything, I’m here. Okay?”
“Okay,” he said, his voice warm.
And for the first time this night, I saw the tension in his shoulders ease just a little.
“I’d love to see your sister someday tho,” I told him and almost laughed as his eyes went so wide I feared they might pop out of their sockets.
“You want to meet with Emilia?”
“Yeah,” I answered with a nod. “She seems cool.”
“She’s getting married to a mafia don and you say she’s cool?” He scoffed.
“That’s the exact reason why I think she’s cool.”
” She’s not cool, she’s stupid,” he deadpanned seriously. “But whatever. If you want to meet her, then cool. I’ll tell her about you.”