Page 67 of Matteo

I nod. “You?”

“Not a match. We've all been tested, and it's only the three of you.”

“I wonder how Zach's dealing with it.” Out of all of us, he cared for the old man.

Cared.

But not anymore.

For as long as we've been around the American Knights, I've watched Zach be the dutiful son, the only one who ever sought his love and approval. But after finding out what he'd done, Zach disowned him; as much as he could without walking away. He cold shouldered the old man. It's like a switch flipped inside him and all that care and concern turned to rage and resentment. Now that he's a possible match, or at least has passed the first of many tests, I wonder how he's handling it.

It doesn't sit too well with me, the idea that I might be able to give the old man a kidney to save his life.

Do I want to do that?

Does he deserve it?

There’s so much to think about, but I feel better hearing that there are others.

“I thought you should know,” Enzo remarks, glancing out of the window.

It’s easy for him to say, because he doesn’t have to wrestle with this decision. He’s out of the running and he’ll sleep well at night.

“Thanks for the update,” I tell him, dryly. “I appreciate it.”

“Were you ever going to tell us?” he asks. I hear the disappointment in his voice. It’s like he’s accusing me of withholding my news from him.

“Sorry. I was. I've just been busy. You know how the old man has been on my back about the tech issues.”

He doesn’t say anything, and I’m not sure he believes me, or that he understands what a difficult issue this is for me. That he’s had to come here to find out, makes me feel shitty.

Enzo and I have become much closer, especially since Raquel has taken up so much space in Rio’s world.

I don’t hate her for it. I like Raquel. She’s great, and Rio is clearly in love. I’ve never seen the guy so at peace and content. It feels serious, him and Raquel, and to me, it feels like he’s soon going to be on his journey with Raquel by his side.

We’ve always been a close-knit band of brothers ever since we moved here, and now, with Jett, Dex and Zach, we’re all coming together, while splintering away.

“I’m sorry, okay?” I say again, when Enzo remains quiet.

“Okay.” But he doesn’t offer a smile or any reassurance that it is okay. He falls silent for a moment. Then, “How's your new hire doing?” His mouth curves into a smile, and I’m unguarded for a moment.

“She’s doing great.” I sit back, folding my arms across my chest in case his X-ray eyes see what’s bubbling inside me.

“You had reservations about her.”

He’s fishing for information. “Not because she's a woman, because the old man hired her without telling me.”

“Is she as clever as you say?”

“She's fucking brilliant. Catches things the others have missed.” I stop immediately, realizing I'm gushing about her.

“Sounds to me like you're more than impressed with her.” I detect a tone of curiosity. Enzo is quiet and observant. He lifts a brow, grinning, and I know he fucking knows I have the hots for her.

“Like I said, she's good at her job. Thanks for the update,” I say, abruptly standing up. “I have to be someplace.”

“No problem.”

***