But all those daydreams and fantasies seem so childish and stupid now.
And not even the beauty of the golden sunset, or the sea breeze and the fresh, gorgeous scent of brine and magnolias in the air as we walk is doing anything to lift my mood.
Why?
Why do all my dreams always end in disappointment?
Why do I take a step forward only so I can retreat three steps right after?
I wish I’d spiked the lemonade I was drinking before with vodka.But I wanted to be completely sober for Matteo tonight.
What a mistake.One I’ll fix as soon as we get back to the house.
I should, by rights, be used to disappointments.But just like everything to do with Matteo, this one just hits different.
I’m not even hoping that he’s coming later.That I’m worrying about nothing.Because I can’t handle any more broken dreams and dashed hopes.I just can’t.
Where is he?!
Chapter42
MATTEO
I never fora minute expected I’d be taken to Long Island with the women.The old man was quite clear that he’s keeping me away from Gianna and any kind of situation where we could be alone together from now on.But there will be no morefrom now on… at least not the kind where he’s in charge.And she was already mine for the taking last night.Soon, she’ll be mine forever.It gives me pleasure to think that, a kind of joy that can only come from a revenge well executed.
So I’m not too worried about her hatred of me anymore.
Because sex is just a momentary joy and the fire of revenge, the joy of getting my vengeance… that will burn from now until eternity.
Despite the apartment being empty, the old man still had me guarding it all afternoon on Saturday.I suppose as a fuck you for daring to look at his daughter.I did as I was told.It’ll be one of the last times I do.
Ferro’s plans for Sunday night are laid.I know the part I must play.And I will play it to perfection.
Once my shift was over, I got in Nico’s Lambo and drove to the Codelli’s beach house.A beachmansionmore like, but it’s still not as extravagant as some of the ones back home in LA.Our own family home is about three times this size with a view of the Pacific Ocean, which is always nicer than the Atlantic.
I’ve been around the estate twice, trying as best I could to stay clear of the cameras.The ones I could see, anyway.
But no one came out to investigate why a Lambo with no headlights was prowling the nearby streets, so I don’t think I was seen.
As the recon confirmed, the easiest way into the grounds will be if Gianna lets me in.Or better yet, comes to meet me outside.My sister Isabella knew a number of ways of sneaking out of our family home, so I’m sure Gianna does too.But maybe Gianna isn’t as motivated.She’s such a good girl after all, waiting for her prince charming in the form of a husband her father will choose for her.Isabella picked her man while she was still a teenager.And as much grief and destruction as that caused when the man our father picked for her decided to try and kill us all in retaliation for her betrayal, I still can’t quite begrudge her that.
But that’s just because I’ve always been too soft.
Like I’m being now, thinking that Gianna is too pure.That I shouldn’t touch her, because I shouldn’t corrupt her.
But as things stand, she’ll be corrupted now either way.Tomorrow night her fairytale life will be over.She won’t want any kind of life I’ll have to offer her after that.And who knows if Angelo will let me keep her at all.
So tonight’s all I got.
And she wants to be corrupted.So I’m her man.
I park the car in one of the secluded side streets, bordered by greenery on one side and beach grass on the other, then call Gianna.All us guards have the women’s numbers, in case of emergency.
It rings so long that I grow afraid she won’t pick up.But of course, I have a Plan B in place.Get inside the grounds and sneak into the house.Then find her bedroom and surprise here in there.I spotted at least three likely places for getting into the garden.One way leads over the rocks on the beach, which act as a sort of natural barrier to entry from that side of the estate.Another is a majestic old oak tree by the south fence with branches sticking out over the wall.And the third is simply showing up to the front door and telling them I’ve been sent to help out.
I’m weighing all the three options in my head as Gianna’s little voice asks, “Hello?”over the line.She sounds like she’s scared as hell of getting this phone call.Understandable, since she probably doesn’t get many calls from strange numbers.
“It’s me,” I say and her relieved sigh tells me all I need to know about how much she wants me here.
