Page 20 of Mafia King: Matteo (Borrelli Mafia #1)

ALENA

I stare at the massive diamond on my finger. It’s exquisite. It’s not like any ring I’ve ever seen. I’m giddy at the sight of it on my finger. The bling factor exceeds my expectations. Oddly, it fits my personality. Yellow diamonds are vibrant, rare, and expensive. It makes a statement.

I’m taken.

He wants me. And he wants everyone to know I’m his.

I can’t deny our physical attraction. I suppose the situation could be worse. My parents could have married me off to someone I have no attraction to. As luck has it, Matteo and I seemed to enjoy the physical side of our secret relationship.

I turn slowly, taking a breath before I confront my parents. They don’t have to know we know each other.

Dad stands and walks to me when I enter the room. “I know you’re going to protest, Alena.”

“Really?” Sarcasm drips from the word. “I wasn’t prepared for this. You could have warned me.” I raise my voice.

“Me? What about you? You’re the one with the bad reputation,” Dad spits in my face. “What Italian?” he huffs, referring to my comment earlier to put Matteo in his place.

“What did you do to make him angry?” I ask. Now that I know Matteo is a don, there is more to this arrangement than Dad says.

If the look of amusement in Matteo’s eyes can be trusted, tonight unfolded as Matteo expected. It looked to me like he enjoyed making my father fuss over him. “What did you do?” I enunciate each word and wait for his response.

“I bought a property that he has been working to buy, and I beat him to it.” He shuffles his weight on his feet, imploring me to be merciful. “He found out about it and came to collect it, but he made it clear he wanted you.”

“Me?”

“It was an anonymous tip. An email. It was encrypted. It could have been from anyone. It was a great idea, so I looked into it and offered more.”

My father looks pathetic. My father wields power, but tonight, he’s powerless. He’s submissive. I pause. Silence fills the room, forcing him to talk.

“I acted on the tip. I didn’t share the information with my boss.” His last sentence puts me in a precarious position.

He didn’t buy the building for the Russians. He was buying it for himself and his business associates behind the Don’s back. He sits at the right hand of the Don as his advisor, and if the Don finds out, he’d be killed. He’s a traitor. His life is ruled by greed.

This is becoming an increasingly complex and messy situation. Izzy has feared my father over the years. But today, Izzy is the Principessa to the bratva. Her father is the don, and her husband will be the next to take over in his place.

“The Don doesn’t know about this,” I murmur the words as the reality of the situation sinks in.

My father’s devious behavior and betrayals are revealed. He had to make a deal with Matteo because Matteo knew his secret. If I marry Matteo, my father lives. If I refuse, Don Sidovo will have to kill my father to punish a traitor.

My father needs me to keep his dirty secret.

“Izzy is my best friend, and you want me to keep a secret from her?”

This is rich. I can’t do that.

Can I?

“She’s my best friend, Dad. How can I betray her? She’s been lied to her entire life. She’s been nothing but loyal to me and to you,” I yell in anger and enunciate the word ‘you.’

“I supported you and her for years. She lived with us for free, and I bought that condo for you. It’s all been paid for,” he argues. “You can lie to her, and you will,” he says sternly as his eyes burrow into mine. He leans in, and his face is inches from mine.

My Dad’s eyes drift like he’s tired. Mom bids him to sit by her on the sofa, and when he turns, his shoulders slump.

“It’s business, Alena. You knew you’d be married off to someone,” Mom interjects. Dad sits beside her and runs a hand down his face.

I wonder how often he’s done deals that the don doesn’t know about. Do others hold my father’s secrets?

“How am I to keep my Russian friends when I’m sleeping with the enemy—the Italian?” I ask.

“That’s one steamy bed if you ask me,” Mom says, then uses her hand to hide her smirk. It appears my mother recognizes a sexy man when she sees one.

“What did you mean about a hot Italian at dinner?” Dad asks, now that he’s calmer. Mom moves her hand on his leg as a sign of support.

“Nothing, I attempted to make Matteo jealous.” I shrug. I’m entitled to my secrets. No one will die over me having sex with Matteo.

“If you bothered to notice the look on his face, he did notice,” Mom adds.

“Yeah, well, it’s getting late. I’m exhausted,” I say, turning to leave. I realize I don’t possess the mental capacity to fight right now. There is so much I have to process.

Dad and Mom stand and walk me to the door. Dad holds my coat for me.

“Good night, Alena,” Dad coos, as if all is forgotten, and kisses my forehead.

I never dreamed he would call in an IOU on everything he’s done for me.

I never realized before today how much I took for granted.

I come from a life of privilege. Sure, Dad could have gotten into trouble over the years and ended up in prison.

The syndicates fly under the government’s radar and use mostly legitimate businesses for steady income.

They do illegal things, but Dad sits at the top, where his hands remain relatively clean.

I slip into my coat that’s being held before I sling my purse over my shoulder. Mom opens the door for me, and after she’s closed it, I hear it click as the lock slides into place.

I walk to the vehicle that’s running in the driveway. It’s a somber, reflective time for me, and I’m happy to have the long sidewalk to collect my thoughts.

I never knew he did deals on the side. I wonder if this is why he’s been stressed out lately. It also makes me curious if Kirill is aware of what my father has done. He is also loyal to the family, so I assume Dad didn’t tell anyone except Mom.

“I don’t need you to follow the mystery man, Dima,” I say as I enter the SUV.

“Why’s that?”

“It’s over,” I say, for lack of a better excuse. I don’t want to advertise that I’ve been duped.

I’ve had plenty of flings, but this is the first time I feel used. How long did Matteo follow me? How long has he known who I am? How did he discover Dad’s deal?

I have more questions than answers.

“Fine. I’ll inform Kirill,” he says. “I wonder what I’ll be assigned to next,” he comments.

“I don’t know, but you won’t be driving me,” I reply sourly as he pulls onto the road to take us into the city.

“What do you mean?” He looks into the rearview mirrors as he drives to the expressway.

“I have a feeling my next driver will be of Italian descent. I’m engaged to Matteo Borrelli. The Don of the Sicilian syndicate.”

He all but slams on the brakes.

“Get the fuck out of here. What happened? You’re only telling me this now?”

“It just happened,” I replied wistfully. “I’m still adjusting.”

“I wondered who pulled in behind me tonight. The tall dude, right?” His voice is calm, and I am concerned because he was a sitting duck in the vehicle. It could have been a hit team, for god’s sake.

“Correct.” I sigh in relief.

“The man with him had me roll down my window and checked me out before they passed.”

“Did they?” I’m not surprised because men in Matteo’s position always do.

“Yeah, I had an idea he was someone important. Shit, are you okay?” He says, turning briefly in his seat to look at me.

“I appear to be,” I reply.

What choice do I have?

I look at the ring on my finger. It’s heavy.

I’m not telling anyone I’m engaged except for Izzy.

I just started working, and I don’t want them to think my job is a placeholder until I am married.

Besides, I’d feel uncomfortable sharing the news with anyone at work.

I’m the new girl in the office. I’m still on probation.

The car is warm, but a chill runs through me.

I pull my coat closer to me. I wonder how Matteo had men on me.

I thought I was immune to being hurt by the family’s business associates and enemies.

Sidovo wasn’t here tonight. He probably doesn’t know this deal was brokered.

I find myself at the center of what could be the cause of the next mafia war.

I should be relieved Matteo isn’t my father’s enemy. He had every opportunity to kidnap or kill me for revenge. Instead, Matteo chose not to spill blood.

I have to assume he knows everything about me.

My privacy has been violated. I’ll find a way to even the score for his deception. There were numerous occasions where he could have slipped the words out of his mouth, “Hi, I’m the newest player in the mafia world, and I want to fuck you.”

He thought he was clever and played games with me while keeping his identity a secret. I need answers. I have to take matters into my own hands. I know who he is. He won’t suspect me of having him tailed.

“Dima, don’t tell Kirill anything. I want you to follow Matteo. He’s been my lover, and I’m not in harm’s way. Besides, I suspect my future husband will have an Italian guard on me soon. That protects me, and your time will be free to follow him. Will you help me?”

“Intrigue and stalking? Count me in.” He gives me a funny giggle that reminds me of Uncle Fester in the popular TV series about a family who is dark and sadistic.

I love having resources at my fingertips. Matteo thinks he has won and will underestimate me, not that he has what he wants. I’m embarrassed that he’s been pulling the strings of influential players behind my back.

“I want to know where he lives, who he meets, what his penthouse is like, and anything else you can obtain. I also want to know what women he hangs out with and who he takes as a lover.”

“Got it.”

He’s made a fool of me once. It won’t happen again.

Dima rolls to a stop in my parking garage.

Armed with my new attitude, I bid him goodnight. “Happy hunting,” I say, void of emotion.

I’m expecting updates by morning. If Matteo thinks I’m taking this lying down, he doesn’t know who he’s marrying.