Stella sits down in the chair. “Shit. So it’s my fault.”
“No,” I tell her. “Do not say that.”
“I wanted to see her.”
“I was the one who invited her to come,” I say. “I should’ve had my men check her.” I turn to look at Franco. “Is her mother safe?”
Franco nods. “She’s at home, and I’ve told one of my men to stay at her location and keep watch to make surenone of Lucio’s men return.”
“Thank you,” Stella says. “I really don’t want to lose her now that I’ve finally gotten to see her again.”
“You won’t. I’ll make sure of that,” I say. “You can trust me.”
The most beautiful soft smile forms on her face, and I know it’s a rare one to be cherished.
“I’ve had your man take care of the bodies left strewn about the cemetery,” Franco adds.
“Pffft. I can’t believe Lucio would dare to attack me at a cemetery. That’s a new low, even for him.”
“It was heinous but also unexpected, which is probably why he went for it,” Franco says.
I grind my teeth. “He’s getting ballsy.”
Franco raises a brow. “Well, it doesn’t help that you cut off the fingers on one of his hands.”
Meanwhile, Stella stares off into the distance because of the absurdity of this conversation. I don’t want to destroy her mind with the grimy side of my job, and I never wanted to involve her in any of this violence. But it seems Lucio is determined to take me down, and her along with it, and that … that’s what terrifies me the most.
He was willing to put her life at risk.
I try to shift in the bed, but it hurts so much I hiss.
“Don’t move too much,” Stella tells me. “They just finished the operation. You’re still recovering, and your body is in pain.”
“I’ll live,” I reply. “I need to get my body moving again.”
“For what?” she asks.
“I can’t just lie here and wait until Lucio comes to finish the job. If they can find me and target me in a cemetery, they will definitely try to kill me in this private clinic.”
When I try to get up, Stella grabs my thigh and pushes me down. “You’re no use to anyone if you’re hurt,” she warns.
I narrow my eyes at her. And here I was, thinking Lucio was the one with all the balls. This woman is trying to tell me, the boss of the Mafia, what to do. Fantastic. And sexy as hell.
“I’m fine,” I reply. “Franco, get the car.”
Stella scrunches up her face. “Matteo,” she warns. “Stay still.”
Franco gives me an awkward face. “Yeah, I think I’ll leave you two to it. Sir, if there’s anything you need from me, call, and I’ll be right there.” He haphazardly leaves the room, as if he were butting in on a private conversation between my wife and me.
Because dammit, if there’s anyone who can change my mind, it’s her. Maybe I’m not as in control as I thought I was. And maybe for now, I’ll be okay with that, as long as she’s near me.
MATTEO
A few dayslater
When I’m finally back home from the hospital late at night, it feels like it’s been ages since I last stepped into my own room, and I take in a deep whiff to memorize the scent. I nearly lost my life back there, but I’m glad I’m still here, living another day, so I can see my quest for vengeance fulfilled.
A certain someone clears her throat, and I open my eyes and turn around to see Stella standing in my room with a smug smile on her face.
