Page 28 of Bellini Bound

Leveling my cousin with a glare, I gritted out, “I am very aware that I am the reason for Allison’s current act of rebellion.”

“And you think, what, that Summer’s going to go up there and magically erase the damage you’ve done?”

I threw my arms out wide. “I don’t know! But I had to do something.”

Matteo hummed. “Ever think of apologizing?”

Folding both arms across my chest, I shot back, “Maybe you should be the one apologizing. This whole situation is your doing. I didn’t want a wife, and I can’t imagine she was too keen on being forced into marriage either. Not when it’s cut her off from her family and her job, upending her entire life.”

He pursed his lips, nodding slowly. “You’re right. I should march up there right now and admit I’m the villain in her story.” Those dark brown eyes staring back at me turned to stone. “Except I’m the one who let her father live when he killed an innocent woman. And not just any woman, but my fucking wife, who, in case you’ve forgotten, was pregnant! That bastard is lucky he doesn’t owe me two lives.” A shudder rolled through him at the reminder that he could have lost his youngest daughter that day, before she was even born.

Wryly, I remarked, “So you decided to fight fire with fire. Ruin the life of another innocent woman in return. And why not make the cousin who’s been in your corner this past year—when you were struggling to keep your head above water as a single dad, CEO, and don—collateral damage while you’re at it. Seems like a great way to reward his dedication and service.”

Matteo blew out a breath, running a hand through his dark hair. “I’m sorry, Enzo. I honestly thought he would view the idea of his daughter being married to one of us as a fate worse than death. I never imagined it would go this far.”

I lifted my left hand, showcasing the gold band that felt like it was cutting off circulation to my ring finger. “Well, it did. And I’m the one stuck serving a life sentence for your revenge.”

He took a sip of his scotch. “Have you completely ruled out trying to make it work with the girl?”

Busying myself by organizing the random paperwork on my desk, I replied, “Trust me when I tell you that ship has sailed, brother.”

Summer chose that moment to walk into the room, and Matteo got that same dopey smile on his face every time he laid eyes on her. “Dolcezza—”

She completely bypassed where he’d risen to his feet to greet her, instead rounding the edge of my desk, placing two palms against my chest, and shoving with all her might.

“What the hell is the matter with you?”

Matteo snickered. “Sure, let’s pull on that thread.”

Ignoring her husband, Summer continued to aim the full force of her fury at me. “Howdareyou tell her to lose weight when she’s got curves for days that other women would kill for!”

“For the record, I told him that was a dick move,” Matteo chimed in.

Her head whipped around. “Youknew?”

My cousin’s eyes widened, the realization sinking in that he’d landed himself in hot water right alongside me. And I could admit a part of me was glad he was headed for the doghouse because I wanted him to experience even an ounce of the misery I was feeling, considering that it was all his fault.

Hands landing on her hips, Summer asked, “Since you two are in cahoots, did you also know about the man he made her kill in the basement?”

Matteo’s shocked gaze swung to me. “The fuck?” he roared.

I groaned, running a hand down my face. “It was insurance, okay?”

Summer rolled her eyes. “Oh, I can’twaitto hear this.”

“With all due respect, it’s mafia business, and Matteo has made it very clear he prefers to keep that separate from his home life.” I looked to my cousin, my don, for backup.

He held his hands up as if to say,This is your problem now.

Traitor.

Summer crossed her arms, a challenge glinting in her blue eyes before she spoke again. “It’s only fair that I’m privy to whatever dark dealings you’ve dragged your own wife into, don’t you think?”

The two women’s situations couldn’t have been more different, but I knew better than to argue that point. Summer wasn’t going to let this drop.

A rumble vibrated through my chest before I explained, “Anything she sees or overhears can be used against us, especially when her daddy is still firmly seated as the top cop in this city. So, I decided to eliminate the risk.”

“I still don’t understand.” Summer frowned, confusion written across her face. “How does having her commit murder factor in?”