I’d never had a woman be like this with me. Not even my wife would lie with me like this.
“Sweet dreams, little hummingbird,” I murmured as her breathing grew deeper.
I prayed every dream she had from here on out would be sweet. She deserved it. She deserved the world.
And I hoped I could give it to her.
12
MATTEO
Istared at Klaus as he drank deeply from his glass. He seemed different. I’d known him nearly my entire life, and yet I’d never seen him the way he was as he sat at the bar in my office.
His blue eyes sparkled. He smiled. He kept looking down at his phone, that little smile he’d been wearing, dancing on his lips.
Something was going on with him. He was never this way.
My phone rang before I could ask him. I answered without bothering to look at the name.
“Matteo,” Carmine’s deep voice greeted me.
I stiffened.
“Father,” I answered.
“Have you any information for me in regard to the underground fire?”
“None,” I replied, my words quick and tight. “No one talks.”
The old bastard scoffed at that. “Everyone talks if you know how to communicate. Clearly, you lack those skills even after all this time.”
I ground my teeth. Santino had been his golden boy, not me. I wasn’t a fool. I knew my father hated me and was disappointed when Santino fled, leaving me to be his heir.
I also knew he wanted Dominic to take over, but because of his mere existence, I would rather suffer in my role than hand it over.
Of course, a lot of that was changing. I knew Dominic would own the role. He’d been bred and raised for it. I would even go so far as to say he wanted it.
The truth of the matter was, I wanted out. I never wanted it to begin with. No one had killed me yet, but perhaps I survived out of spite.
I knew I planned on taking my father and mother out with me before I went, though. I would not budge on that. It’s likely why I’ve lived so long. To piss them off and to make sure they went with me.
The issue was getting to them.
“I will continue to work on the matter,” I said tightly, knowing damn well I wouldn’t. I’d go through the motions, but that was it.
“Perhaps you ask Dominic for his assistance. I am certain he could get the job done.”
“Or die trying. We wouldn’t want that,” I said.
“I would not,” he replied, “But I am sure it would be a wish on your end, no?”
I chuckled softly at that. “If that is all, I need to get back to work?—”
“I am delaying my visit for now. I have matters here that need to be addressed. This nonsense with the underground crumbling has created… issues.”
Dining issues.
“The Palace is always open,” I said, knowing damn well he wasn’t interested in it.
