Stolen Queen (Dynasty of Deception #4)

24. Matteo

24

MATTEO

I wake to the soft light of dawn filtering through the curtains, and my eyes immediately find Ava's peaceful form nestled against me. Her dark waves spill across the pillow, and her lips are curved in a slight smile even as she sleeps. Is she dreaming of me?

Gazing at her, I'm struck by how much she's changed me. Before Ava, I was reckless, selfish, focused only on the thrill of the next conquest or score. But she inspires me to be better, to think beyond myself, to consider the consequences of my actions. For the first time, I find myself wanting to build something lasting, something meaningful. What a tragedy that I can’t.

The harsh reality is that keeping her here puts her in danger. The longer she stays, the greater the risk that someone will discover her.

I need to let her go, to give her the chance at a normal life far away from all this. But the thought of watching her walk away, of never seeing her again, twists like a knife in my gut. How can I give up the one person who makes me feel alive?

I slide my fingers over Ava's arm, lacing them through hers. Her eyes flutter open and her lips part in a lazy smile as she looks up at me.

"Good morning.” I bend down to brush a kiss against her forehead. Even that is different. I never snuggled with women, gave soft touches or kisses of affection.

"Good morning." She pushes me back and straddles me. “Is it normal to feel horny in the morning?”

“It’s normal to feel horny at any time.” I slip on a condom and then slide my fingers through her folds, helping her get wet before she fucks me in her new favorite position, on top.

“You’re not getting tired of this… with me?”

I sit up, my fingers threading through her hair as I pull her close. “Never.” It’s another new reality I’ve discovered. I can’t imagine ever having enough of her.

She sinks down over me, taking my dick deep inside her. I moan and lie back because it feels so fucking good. She begins to ride, and I’m mesmerized by her. The way her eyes are lit with fire. Her hair is a riotous, wanton mess. Her tits sway as she moves. She’s so fucking sexy and beautiful and perfect.

We move together, rising, reaching for the height of bliss.

“Oh, Matteo…”

I love hearing my name on her lips, especially in the throes of passion. “Come, baby, come on me.”

She throws her head back and lets out a cry as her pussy squeezes me tight.

“Fuck… so good.” I grip her hips, bucking up as I let go, let pleasure take me away.

She collapses over me, her head resting on my chest. We lie there, quiet, both knowing this is coming to an end but not wanting it to ruin this moment.

But all good things come to an end, right? At this time, I need to get my ass out of bed and to work.

“Sorry, Princess. I need to get up.”

She feigns pouting. “Too bad. What do I do if I get horny again?”

My dick twitches. “Wait for me.” I get out of bed and grab clothes as I head to the shower. When I finish, I find her still in bed. Still sexy. Still something I’m not allowed to keep.

“Can’t you play hooky?” She pinches her tits, knowing it will drive me nuts.

I groan and force myself to button my shirt. "As much as I'd love to, duty calls.”

“Too bad for you.”

“Too bad, indeed.” I should tell her to spend the day figuring out where she wants to go to start her new life. I know our time is running out and so I need to make her travel arrangements ASAP. But I can’t bring myself to ruin this perfect morning.

“Well, don’t work too late. I have a surprise for you.”

I arch a brow. “Surprise?”

She gives me a flirty smile. “It’s a sexy surprise.”

Fuck. I really want to rip my clothes off and spend the day in the bed with her. Instead, I lean over to kiss her. “I’ll be walking around with a hard-on all day thinking about it.”

The day started off damn near perfect. Unfortunately, it goes to hell the minute I leave my penthouse. A supplier is giving us problems. It’s possible one of our men is skimming off gambling profits. And the worst, Elio calling me to go with Lazaro to deal with another one of Rinella’s fucked up situations.

“Jesus, Elio… who do I work for?”

There’s a pause on his end of the line and I wince as I wait for him to put me in my place. “What’s up with you, Matteo?”

“Nothing. Like I said, I’m sick of being jerked around by Rinella.”

But I’m a good soldier, so that afternoon, I head over to the docks as Elio has asked me to do. The scene that greets me is pure chaos. Rinella's men facing off against the Garianos Family, both sides shouting and posturing.

I swear under my breath as I meet up with Lazaro, who’s been watching them as he waits for me.

“What the fuck?” I say.

Lazaro smirks. “Bunch of amateurs.”

I scan the area. “Where’s Rinella?” It’s odd that he isn’t here.

“Not here. Bubba or Buddha, or whatever the hell his name is, is in charge.”

“Beppe?” It’s a nickname for Giuseppe.

“Right. He’s a poser, isn’t he?”

I nod. It seems to me that all of Rinella’s family are posers. Acting tough and important, when deep down, they’re just a bunch of putzes. Except Ava, of course.

“So we’re the lap dogs sent to clean up his mess?”

“Looks like it.” He grins as he pulls out his gun and a knife. “Could be fun.”

There was a time when this was one of the best parts of the job. Not dealing with Rinella. That’s never been fun. But watching Lazaro scare the literal shit out of people. Today, I’m just annoyed.

It takes nearly two hours to defuse the situation. Two hours, three gunshot wounds, and one guy who I’m sure will suffer PTSD after Lazaro unhands him.

I go up to Beppe. “Tell your boss to get his shit together, would you?”

Beppe sneers at me. “You’re not the boss of me or him.”

Lazaro steps up beside me, and Beppe’s bravado falters. “Watch yourself, Bubba, or next time, we’ll just watch and let the Garianos do what they want to you.”

“It’s Beppe,” I say.

“When I get done with him, it will be baby.” Lazaro gives one last hard glare and walks away. I follow him.

“You okay?” he asks as we reach our cars.

“Sure, why?”

He shrugs. “You just seem tense lately. I’d have thought you’d have enjoyed today more than you did.”

“It’s Rinella. I’m sick of dealing with his shit.”

“How about a beer? Diana is teaching Elysse how to bake tonight so I have a little time before I need to get home.”

“Raincheck. I’ve got some… another thing.”

He waggles his brows. “Picking up the slack at the club now that I’m out of the game?”

“Something like that.” It feels wrong to let him think I’m fucking other women, but I need to keep my secret, at least until Ava is safely away.

As I drive home, my irritation slowly gives way to anticipation. The thought of seeing Ava, of losing myself in her embrace, is the medicine for my weary soul. Knowing I’m a bit late, I pull out my phone to call her. The call goes straight to voicemail. A twinge of unease creeps in as I dial again with the same result. It’s unlike Ava to not answer.

"Come on, Princess," I mutter, calling a third time. Still nothing.

I press down on the accelerator, the feeling of urgency pushing me. It’s probably nothing. Maybe she’s napping or taking a shower.

I park in the garage and sprint to the elevator. It’s a painfully slow ride up, but finally, I reach my floor and rush to my door.

I open it and burst through. I freeze, my blood turning to ice in my veins.

“Matteo.” Elio sits on my couch, his eyes cold.

I quickly look for Ava who is sitting in a chair wearing sexy red lingerie under what must be Elio’s coat. Tears streak her face.

A primal surge of protectiveness washes over me at seeing her tears. I want to rush to her, but I force myself to stay calm.

“Elio. What brings you by?”

“I was worried about you. Wanted to check on you.”

“Well… as you can see, I’m fine.”

Elio’s voice is calm and steady, but I can hear the rage behind it. "Care to explain why Vincenzo Rinella's missing daughter is in your apartment dressed like a wh?—”

“Careful.”

His eyes widen in surprise. He rises and comes to stand in my space, his face filled with anger. “How long have you been hiding her? Was she here when Rinella accused me of kidnapping her?”

“He accused me.”

“On what he thinks are my orders,” Elio snaps. He shakes his head, and I hate the disappointment in his eyes, but I’m not regretting anything I’ve done. “You’ve lied to my face every time I asked if you knew anything about her disappearance."

I stand my ground. "I’m protecting her."

Elio scoffs. "Protecting her? From what? Her father? Or from the consequences of your own actions? Have you defiled?—”

“Don’t be vile.” I’ve never wanted to hit my cousin, but I’m precariously close at the disrespect he’s showing Ava.

“Shut up!” Ava stands up and hurries to me. I realize my little Princess wants to protect me.

“It’s okay.” I give her a reassuring smile. “Why don’t you go change?”

She studies me for a moment. I nod that it’s okay. She looks at Elio, and I worry she might say something. Instead, she does as I ask and disappears down the hall to change.

I go to the bar, Elio following me. “What the fuck are you thinking? You have to hand her over to Rinella or I will. Maybe I’ll hand you over to him as well.”

“Do what you want to me, but she’s not going back to her father.” I pour a shot and down it. “Like I said, I’m protecting her. Rinella plans to sell her to Nardone. He’s already misplaced two wives. I’m not going to let her be the third."

"So you decided to play hero?" Elio's voice drips with sarcasm. "Did you even think about what this could mean for our family? For our alliance with the Rinellas?"

“If you haven’t noticed, I don’t give two shits about?—”

“But I do and I’m the head of this family.” He’s seething. His expression is the epitome of blowing a gasket.

“I thought we were supposed to take care of those who are innocent, those we care about.” I remember there was a time I thought Elio was too soft-hearted. I’ve since learned that while he does have a moral compass where his family or innocent lives are concerned, he has no qualms about going to the dark side when necessary.

"Care about? Since when do you care about women beyond fucking them?"

My anger flares at Elio's accusation even though he’s not completely wrong. But that was the old me. “You don’t know anything.” I down another two fingers of whisky.

“No, I don’t, because you’ve been lying to me. You can’t just take her on a whim and put the rest of us at risk, Matteo.”

"That's rich coming from you,” I sneer. "You’re the one who originally put Rinella on our bad side by rejecting her. Then you did it again when you let Lazaro marry Diana.”

“That’s different.”

“Why? Because I’m not a D’Amato?” My heart is tearing in my chest. Partly from knowing I have to save Ava by sending her away. Partly from being reminded by my cousin that while I’m family, I’m not his brother. I’m still lower than him. Lower than Lana and Lazaro as well.

He jerks back, his expression stricken. “What?”

“I’m fixing a wrong you created. She deserves better than what you set her up to have by abandoning her. I’m a little disgusted that you didn’t step in and do more. So I’m doing the right thing.”

I think I see a flash of understanding and maybe guilt in his eyes. Or maybe not. "You kidnapped a Mafia princess and lied to everyone… lied to me about it. How is that the right thing?"

"I saved her from being sold off like cattle!" My voice rises, echoing off the walls. I’m about to throw my glass across the room. "You know what kind of monster Nardone is. How could I stand by and let that happen?"

Elio's face twists with fury. "And what about our family? Did you even consider the consequences for us? Rinella's out for blood, and now we're caught in the crossfire because you couldn't keep it in your pants!"

It hurts me more than he could ever realize that he thinks I’m incapable of love. That my vow to protect Ava is simply so I have a chance to fuck her.

“Don’t tell me she’s more than just another notch on your bedpost? Another conquest to add to your list of broken hearts and one-night stands?"

I lose control of my anger. I shove Elio, my hands on his chest as I push him to the door. “Get out!”

Elio stumbles back, shock and anger warring on his face. "Matteo, you're making a mistake. This isn't just about you. You need to stop being selfish. You can’t put the family at risk just for some pussy you’ll toss aside when you’re bored.”

I push him out of my penthouse. “Fuck you.” I slam the door in his face.

Well. That’s done. I’ve burned my bridges. It won’t be long before Elio tells Rinella what I’ve done to protect the family… his family. Could I have done things differently? Maybe. But I have no regrets. Keeping Ava safe, giving her a chance at the life she deserves, that was worth any price, including my life.

I turn toward the bedroom to check on Ava. "Ava?" I call out, pushing open the door. The room is empty. I check the bathroom. She’s not there. I search the house, checking every room, every possible hiding spot. The bathroom is empty, the guest room untouched. What the fuck?

"Ava!" I shout, louder this time, desperation creeping into my voice.

There’s only one answer. She must have slipped out during my argument with Elio. I check the bedroom again, finding the envelope. She didn’t take anything she needed to forge her new identity. She doesn’t even have the phone. What is she doing?

Fuck!