Cat and Mouse (New York Mafia Syndicate #1)

Chapter 23 - Matteo

Captain Harris's voice drones on, but my mind is somewhere else. I've been shot at too many damn times, and it's getting old. Two days since the last one, and I'm already itching to get out of here. I should be home, but no—I'm stuck in this station. Why? Because I'm the only one left alive. At least, that's what NYPD thinks.

Elizabeth Kane is dead, or so they believe. Detective Elizabeth Kane, hero, the woman who tracked down the Phantom. They'll give her a medal for her "sacrifice."

But I know better.

Elizabeth isn't dead. She's in Sicily, living under a new name, with Leo. The NYPD, though, thinks Marco Rossiani and Mike Russo are ashes now, alongside Detective Kane. The truth is far messier than that. We torched the damn place, yeah, but it was all part of the plan.

I shift in my seat, ignoring the ache from the bandage wrapped around my side. The bullet grazed me—thank God for that. Could've been worse. I glance up at Harris, who's still going on about "heroism" and "sacrifice." He has no clue what really happened in that warehouse.

Flames, smoke, gunfire. It all went up so fast, and before I could blink, they were calling it a massacre. Marco's men, the cops, all gone. And Elizabeth? They think she burned with them.

Bullshit.

I almost snort, but I catch myself. That would've been hard to explain. Instead, I settle into my chair, trying not to look like I've got one foot out the door. The truth? I'm only here because of Leo. My cousin's in Sicily, prepping for the birth of his kid, starting fresh with Elizabeth. But someone had to stick around and deal with the fallout. That someone? Me.

Now I'm stuck between two worlds—acting capo of the men Leo left behind and detective of the NYPD. How the hell did I end up here?

"Matteo?" Captain Harris calls my name, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Yeah, Cap?" I look up, feigning interest.

"I asked if you had anything to add about the case."

Case. Right. The Phantom.

"Nah," I shrug. "You pretty much covered it."

Harris nods, oblivious. He's buying the whole story—the one we spun to keep Elizabeth safe. It's a good cover, airtight even. The city thinks the Phantom's been taken care of, and the NYPD gets to play the hero card with Elizabeth's name plastered all over it. Meanwhile, she's in a Sicilian villa.

"You're dismissed, detective," Harris says, turning back to the others. "We'll continue tomorrow."

I get up, the pain in my side reminding me of just how lucky I am to still be breathing. I walk out of the room and head toward my car. My phone buzzes, and I pull it out.

It's Leo.

Leo: How's the station?

Me: Boring as fuck.

Leo: Good. Keep it that way.

Me: How's Sicily?

Leo: Quiet. For now. Peaceful.

I smile at that. I'm glad things are going smooth for him. After everything, he deserves this peace. Elizabeth, too.

I climb into my car, staring out at the city skyline. It feels weird knowing that the NYPD thinks she's dead while I'm out here, still cleaning up the mess we left behind. But it's necessary. She needs to be safe, and the only way that happens is if the world thinks she's gone.

I light a cigarette, inhaling deeply as I lean back in my seat.

Me: You ready to be a dad?

Leo: Not even close. But I'll figure it out.

Me: You always do.

Leo's been through hell and back, and now he's getting his shot at something good. Me? I'm not so sure. This city... it's in my blood, and I don't know how to leave it behind. Not yet.

But for now, I'll do what I have to. Keep the secrets, play the game, and make sure no one ever finds out the truth about what happened in that warehouse.

The Phantom's dead. Elizabeth Kane's dead.

At least, that's what the world believes.

I'll make sure it remains that way.