Page 174 of Matteo

I scoff. “A masked ball? And he’s invited you?” I’m still trying to figure out how Enzo knows him.

“Unlike the two of you, I appreciate culture. Nobody really knows much about him,” Enzo continues, oblivious to our reaction. “He rarely gives interviews, rarely appears in public.”

“Thank fuck for that,” Rio murmurs.

I lean back in my chair. “He sounds cheerful.”

“Only you would get excited about putting on a costume and pretending to be mysterious,” Rio says.

Enzo shrugs. “Who cares? A masked ball in Venice, I'm down.”

I narrow my eyes at him. “You're going to a party hosted by a mysterious billionaire recluse who throws masquerade balls in palaces?”

“Exciting, no?” Enzo replies, a smile tugging at his lips.

I shake my head.

“You're going because you're hoping there'll be beautiful women.”

“Obviously. I’m not dead.”

“Do you want to come?” he asks. “It’s not for a few months yet, but it might do you some good to get away for a few days, and if there’s nothing going on with Elizabeth …”

I swallow. Just because things between me and Elizabeth have cooled off, to the point that we might as well be strangers now, doesn’t mean I’m ready to look at anyone else. “Pass.”

But I can't move on. It feels impossible.

“I’m going to do it.” I decide to tell them about my decision. “I’m going to give the old man my kidney.”

Rio stares at me. “You just said you weren't sure.”

“I am now.”

Tomorrow I’m going to have to face the old man and tell him what I’ve decided.

***

The next morning I do the thing I’ve been putting off. I go to see the old man. I knock on the door to his office and walk in.

He looks up. “You’re back.”

“Yes.”

“Your mother. How was she?”

I walk in but don’t sit down. “Flourishing. Happy as always, without you.”

“At least she’s happy.”

“As if you care,” I growl. It's still not easy to be around this man, and I dread to think how I'm going to cope being more tied to him than ever. I'll see him more. There are so many things to consider, pre and post-surgery. Worse, he'll forever carry a part of me inside him.

I can't bear to think about it.

He ignores me. “Where are you with resolving the tech issues?”

“Nearly there.” I don’t want to tell him what’s really going on in the tech lab, or that Elizabeth is implicated. Not until we find out who’s behind it. He'll only make matters deliberately more tense, especially given that he's seen me and Elizabeth together, and suspects something. “I’ll have more information soon.”

“I look forward to it.” He clears his throat and pauses, then, “I understand that you and Elizabeth took the same time off.”