Stolen Queen (Dynasty of Deception #4)

22. Matteo

22

MATTEO

T he ache inside me is a red-hot, burning need, an insatiable desire that only Ava can quench. Her body trembles beneath me, gripping me like a vise, driving me wild.

She moans as I kiss her neck, her head thrown back, eyes closed. She goes along with me, letting me take what I need. As I thrust inside her, I try to keep my movements under control, but it's hard. Her hands grip my arms tightly as if anchoring herself to me while I move against her, each thrust sending a megawatt jolt through my body. I don’t want to hurt her, but the intensity of my need makes it hard not to let my wilder side loose.

In this moment, we're two bodies losing ourselves in a moment of pure passion. It feels otherworldly, surreal yet incredibly real at the same time. Ava is more than just a conquest. She's becoming an addiction.

She comes again, her body writhing underneath me as she cries out. Her muscles clench around me, a wave of pleasure coursing through my veins triggering my orgasm. I grit my teeth as I pump inside her, every muscle in my body tense and straining as my release blows through me like a hurricane, whipping and crashing through every cell in my body.

At this moment, I lose myself completely. There's no past or future, no obligations, no responsibilities. Just me and Ava and the passion consuming us both. It's raw and intense, almost painful but also incredibly good.

As the storm dies down and we catch our breath, I know I’ve crossed the line, but I don’t care. Not when having Ava in my arms feels so right.

I look down at her, hoping to hell she’s not regretting this. Her eyes are closed, but she has a sweet, sated smile on her face. It makes my heart thump hard in my chest to see it.

I pull out of her, needing to discard the condom. It's drenched in Ava's essence. For a moment, my heart hammers against my chest, fearing it might have broken.

She lets out a satisfied sigh, distracting me from the passing worry. "That was…”

“Amazing? Mind-blowing? Fucking awesome?” I offer.

“Yes, yes, and yes.”

“Hold on to that thought.” I take the condom and toss it in the trash in the bathroom. I return to her with a warm washcloth. Gently, I press it to her pussy, hoping she’s not too sore. “You sure you’re okay?”

She nods. “My mom always said it was a duty, but she and my dad must be doing it wrong.”

I snort out a laugh. “Can we not talk about your parents’ sex life?”

She blushes. “Right. Sorry.” Her skin is warm and flushed as she snuggles into me. She looks up at me, her eyes sparkling with satisfaction. "When can we do it again?"

"Soon, Princess. Soon." I kiss the top of her head and hold her close. She falls asleep against me. I set the washcloth on the bedside table and savor this moment. I know that our situation is a ticking time bomb. There’s no way out of this that doesn’t end up in heartbreak or death. But I feel confident in saying that having these moments with Ava will have made it worth it.

Life is fucking awesome. As the days, and now weeks, pass, I find myself more and more entangled in Ava's web. She's become my addiction, my reason for rushing home after work.

I never thought I'd be the type to get caught up in one woman. My reputation as a player is well-earned, after all. But Ava? She's different. She challenges me, surprises me, and makes me want to be a better man. It's both exhilarating and terrifying.

I finally understand the power a woman can have over a man. I watched it happen to Elio as he fell hard for Piper, and Lazaro in finding his match in Diana. Even straight-laced ex-cop Henry succumbed to Lana's charms. But experiencing it firsthand? It's a whole different ballgame.

Every morning, I wake up grateful for another day with her. Every night, I fall asleep wondering how I got so lucky. The sex is mind-blowing, sure, but it's more than that. We spend hours talking, laughing, and just being together. I've never been so vulnerable with anyone before. It's terrifying, knowing that if… when she leaves, she'll take a piece of me with her. But I can't help myself.

I've been working behind the scenes to secure a new identity for her, for when she’s ready to leave, but I haven’t told her that. I want to draw out our time together for as long as I can. I know it’s reckless. There will come the day when she has to leave. There’s no way this ends well for us. But for now, in my home, we live in a tiny bubble in which real life doesn’t get in the way.

In the five weeks since she gave me the precious gift of her trust and her body, we’ve fallen into a routine. I wake, watching her for a moment as she sleeps peacefully by my side. Then I dress and head out to the kitchen to make coffee. It’s the scent of the dark brew that wakes her and brings her to me in the kitchen. Her long, dark hair hangs loose around her shoulders. Her gray eyes look at me like I’m the center of the universe. Sometimes, I can’t help myself and I have to have her body, so warm and pliant after a night’s sleep.

This morning is no exception, and I take her in my arms, pushing her against the kitchen table as desire courses through my veins. I’ll be late for work, but who cares? She allows me to bend her over the table and take her from behind. Her moans of pleasure fill the room until her pussy tightens and takes me over the edge into that ultimate high.

She sends me off to work with a kiss, and I have to admit even work has been better. Today, everything is going to plan. Payments are on time and the right amount. Managers and associates are doing their jobs. It won’t be long before I’m back home and in Ava’s arms again. But first, I have to meet with Elio, Lazaro, now home from his honeymoon, and Lana.

I park in front of the house and am barely through the foyer before all hell breaks loose. Vincenzo Rinella comes barreling in behind me, his face red with fury as he charges straight for Elio. My blood runs cold as I see little Elysse standing next to her father, her eyes wide with fear.

Without hesitation, Lazaro and I move as one, stepping in front of Rinella to block his path. I'm ready for a fight, but it's Lazaro who really makes Rinella stop short. There's a reason they call my cousin the "mad dog" of the D'Amato family. The look in Lazaro's eyes right now is downright feral, promising death if Rinella takes one more step.

"Watch yourself," Lazaro growls, his voice low and menacing.

Rinella may be pissed, but he's not stupid. He knows Lazaro's reputation. He stops, but his anger radiates off him.

I stand my ground next to Lazaro. "He's like a bad penny the way he keeps showing up,” I say under my breath.

Elio shoots me a warning glance, and I know I need to rein it in. I promised I'd behave, and I intend to keep that promise.

As Rinella stands there, fuming and ready to explode, I'm acutely aware of how precarious my situation is. Ava and I have managed to keep our secret far longer than I ever thought possible, but I know we're on borrowed time. Is today when it all ends?

Piper appears, her eyes quickly scanning the tense scene before her. Without hesitation, she moves to Elysse, wrapping a protective arm around the little girl while her other hand rests on her swollen belly.

The sight of Piper, heavily pregnant and shielding Elysse, pisses me off even more. Why Elio hasn't dropped Rinella right here and now, I don't know. Rinella's presence here is a threat to all of us, but especially to the innocent, including Ava. I clench my fists tighter, ready to act if necessary. I almost wish Rinella would try something so I could justify ending him, ending his reign of terror over Ava.

"Sweetheart, why don't you take Elysse to do her homework?" Elio says to Piper, his eyes never leaving Rinella.

Piper nods, understanding the unspoken message. She gently guides Elysse away.

Elio's eyes narrow at Rinella. "For a man who wants respect, you don't do much to earn it."

Before Rinella can respond, Lana steps forward, her voice cool and collected. "Gentlemen, perhaps we should take this discussion to Elio's office."

Rinella nods curtly, his face still flushed with anger. As we all file into Elio's office, my mind races, trying to figure out what's got Rinella so worked up this time. I hadn’t heard anything on the streets today. There was no hint of an issue from any of my men.

I take my usual spot leaning against the wall with my arms crossed. It's a casual stance but one that allows me to keep an eye on everyone in the room. Especially Rinella.

Elio offers Rinella a seat, but he refuses, instead handing Elio a photo.

Elio looks at it and then at Rinella. “Should I know who this is?”

The photo is passed around, but Lazaro and Lana shrug and shake their heads.

When the photo makes its way to me, I have to use every ounce of self-control not to react. It's Ava, clear as day, in the drugstore when she bought her feminine products.

I pass the photo back, careful to keep my expression neutral as I shrug and shake my head.

Rinella's eyes narrow as he looks at me, and for a moment, I wonder if he can see right through me.

But then he turns back to Elio, his face twisted with anger. "This is my daughter, Ava," he spits out. "The one who's been missing for weeks. And here she is, shopping in broad daylight like nothing's wrong."

"That’s good, right? She’s safe,” Elio says.

I force myself to stay still even as my instinct is screaming at me to run, to get back to Ava and make sure she's safe. How did Rinella get that photo? Who else might have seen her?

Rinella approaches me, his finger jabbing accusingly in my direction. "Did you take her?"

I meet his gaze steadily, refusing to back down. "No. Why would you think so?"

Rinella whirls on Elio, his anger palpable in the air. "Is this some game you're playing?"

Elio's expression hardens. "We don't use women or children in business. Unlike some."

“This is less than a block from Matteo’s building.” Rinella points at me again.

"There are a lot of drugstores in Chicago," Lana says.

Rinella pokes at the photo. "This has the address. Date and time stamp too. It's in his neighborhood." He glares at me.

“That’s your evidence to accuse me of taking your daughter?” Elio’s voice is steady, but anyone who knows him can hear the deadly calm. "That she was in a downtown drugstore that happens to be near where one of my men lives?"

“I’m tired of being jerked around by you, D’Amato.”

"Vincenzo, we don't have your daughter. Why would we? If we wanted her, one of us would have married her," Elio says, exasperation starting to tinge his voice.

Rinella’s face actually turns redder with rage. "You saying my daughter isn't worth having?"

"Jesus Christ." Elio throws up his hands. “No, that’s not what I’m saying.”

"You said you were helping look for her," Rinella argues, his voice rising. "And nearly two months ago, she was in a drugstore near your man."

"Do you know how many people live in that area?" I interject, making my voice sound like I'm explaining something to a particularly slow child. “Hell, two of Caruso's men live in my same building."

"You accusing Caruso of taking my daughter?" Rinella almost seems delighted by the idea. As if he could use this accusation to ruin Elio’s relationship with Caruso.

"I don't think anyone took her," I snap before thinking better of it. "She ran away, and I don't blame her."

"Matteo." Elio's voice is a warning.

I immediately snap my mouth shut.

Rinella's face contorts with rage, his eyes darting between Elio and me.

"When did you get this? If it's two months ago, she's probably long gone," Elio says.

"I just got it," Rinella spits out, glaring at me.

"Losing your touch coercing businesses to give up their surveillance videos?" I mock, knowing Elio will chew me out for it.

"It's our neighborhood," Elio says with another warning glare to me. "You're not encroaching?—"

"I'm looking for my fucking daughter. Don't tell me you wouldn't do the same, D'Amato," Rinella snaps at Elio..

"Like you care about your daughter," I say low enough under my breath that neither Rinella or Elio hears.

Elio shakes his head, and I recognize the look on his face. He's done with this conversation. "Let me give you some advice, Vincenzo?—”

"I don't need your advice," Rinella snarls, shrugging off Elio's attempt at a conciliatory pat on the shoulder.

"I'll give you some anyway. You're looking a bit unhinged… and I'm not the only one to notice. Caruso has as well."

That pushes Rinella to the edge. "Fuck you, Elio.”

Lazaro steps forward, his eyes glinting dangerously, but Rinella doesn't back down. Instead, he flips Lazaro off, a gesture so unexpected it almost makes me laugh.

I can't help myself. "Growing a pair, I see," I drawl, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

Rinella's face turns an even deeper shade of red. "Fuck you all," he snarls before storming out of the room.

As soon as Rinella storms out, the tension in my shoulders eases slightly.

“He really is unhinged,” Lana quips as she glances out the door in Rinella’s wake.

Elio’s eyes swing to me, his brows knitted in suspicion. "Matteo, do you know where Ava is?"

"What the fuck, Elio?” The guilt gnaws at me, but I push it down. "Look, Rinella's just being his usual asshole self. He doesn't give a shit about his daughter. She's just a bargaining chip to him, and now he's pissed because he lost his leverage."

Elio's gaze is still piercing, and I can feel Lana and Lazaro watching me too. I force myself to meet their eyes, to appear as nonchalant and irritated as I would if I really didn't know anything about Ava's whereabouts.

“It’s not like he doesn’t have other daughters,” Lana says. “Why are his panties all in a bunch over her?”

“The bigger question is why you keep putting up with his bullshit, Elio. We should just off the fucker and be done with it.” I know I’m overstepping but I can’t seem to stop myself. “Seriously, the guy's a loose cannon. He's more trouble than he's worth. Why are we still playing nice?"

"What's the matter, Matteo? Did Rinella piss in your cereal this morning?" Lana teases.

I roll my eyes. "Come on, Lana. You can't tell me you're not sick of his bullshit too. The guy's been a thorn in our side for too long. You’ve tried to appease and accommodate him more than he deserves."

"True," she concedes, "but you seem to have it out for him more than usual lately."

I shrug. "The man's insufferable. We've been putting up with his bullshit for far too long. I'm just saying what we're all thinking."

But even as the words leave my mouth, guilt from my lies churns in my gut. Elio, Lana, and Lazaro are more than just my bosses. They're my family. If they find out about Ava, if they discover what I've done, it could jeopardize everything. Not just for me, but for all of us.

Piper and Diana come to Elio’s office door, and he waves them in.

“Is everything okay?” Piper asks.

“Everything is fine,” Elio assures her, putting his arm around her and explaining Rinella’s latest tirade.

Lazaro leans over and kisses Diana quickly, as if he can’t help himself. I watch them with their wives, and a pang of envy rips through me. I want that too. I want it with Ava, but I can’t see a way forward to make it happen.

“It’s too bad you don’t have another brother,” Piper states after hearing what the commotion is about. “It could solve everyone’s problem if they married Ava.”

“Too bad,” Lana agrees.

“Matteo could marry her,” Lazaro says. “You told me you’d do it once, remember?”

I force my face into a mask of indifference and shrug. "Sure. She seems alright," I say, trying to keep my voice casual. "But I'm not a D'Amato."

The need to leave and check on Ava gnaws at me. “Listen, unless there’s something else, I have a meeting.” Another lie.

Elio nods, but the way he’s looking at me is a concern. Is it my guilt that has me thinking he can see through me, or can he really see that I’m deceiving him?

I drive straight home. The confrontation with Rinella has left me shaken, and I need to get to Ava.

As I pull into my building's garage, I'm already planning our next move. I grab the envelope folder that’s been living in my glove box for weeks. It's time to get Ava out of Chicago altogether. The thought of sending her away makes my chest ache, but her safety comes first.

The time has come. I have to let her go.