Page 22 of Mafia King: Matteo (Borrelli Mafia #1)

MATTEO

It’s the middle of the night in Sicily, and too late to call Niccoló. I wish I had informed him of my plan, but life sometimes moves quickly.

The mansion is so quiet that I hear the heels of my shoes click on the terra rossa porcelain Italian tiles as I make my way up the large staircase to the second floor.

This house was bought months ago with a wife in mind, so it’s only natural that I wouldn’t want to live in this monstrosity like a tumbleweed forever.

Eventually, most bachelors take a wife. I’m sure Alena will know what to do with the empty spaces. Federico is gone for the night, and now I wish he were here. The mansion overwhelms me. We’re not used to such large homes in Sicily, where the sea and mountains limit land use.

Federico is more than a chef. I occasionally have philosophical conversations with him. He’s intuitive, and I find him to be a good judge of character. He’s an integral part of my family, even if he’s not of my blood.

I hope he will watch Alena, as I will be out all day and night, building my sprawling empire that will only grow bigger with time. I’m taking over for my father, and there are things I have to handle myself. I need to unravel his life if I’m to feel safe in mine.

I suppose I’ve started a list in my head, but I think it works best with a pen in my hand and a notebook. After tonight’s dinner, my mind wanders off.

I’m a visual person. I prefer to see information in charts, graphs, and other media rather than reading wordy reports. I hold face-to-face meetings in secure rooms with no cell phones. I don’t need distractions, and I can never be too careful.

Perhaps this is why I am drawn to Alena—the vision of her in the red and black bustier and stockings. The heels made the outfit complete. I had a boner stiffer than a lead pipe to prove its effectiveness. She was not afraid to commit to the themed night.

“Angels and Demons” is a great song, and as it turns out, it marks the first time I met a sexually liberating woman. I’ve always found sex to be liberating, but that was before I realized marriage was the end game.

She gave them the impression she was badass. I know underneath the finery she wore, she’s an angel in disguise. I’m sure she’ll soon conclude that I’m the devil she didn’t see coming. She doesn’t have a mean spirit, and I hope she will comply with the changes she’ll be forced to make.

I’ve known beautiful women over the years, but none can compare to her. I walk into my large, built-out closet, which resembles the one tailored for my woman. I undress and wish that she were here.

Soon, I tell myself.

It will take me time to get used to living here. Thankfully, Long Island is quieter than the city, but it is an adjustment for me. I love my Sicilian home by the sea. The rhythmic waves of the ocean helped me fall asleep.

I undressed and reentered the bedroom with the oversized king-size bed. A vase of fresh-cut daisies with lavender and baby’s breath is on the dresser. Money might not buy me everything, but it helps to retain the best staff.

My burner phone rings. This is never a good sign at this hour. However, when Gio’s name flashes, I inhale and exhale air before I answer.

“Have you given a thought to Finn? We forgot to discuss it today. We were busy dodging the law when we discovered your father’s advisor dead, and then you had the engagement dinner,” Gio’s voice fades off.

Gio is not only my advisor but also an attorney. He knows how to keep our men out of trouble and who to put on our cases should anyone end up in court.

“It can’t be tied to us. Make it an overdose. Make sure he’s no one important and that there are no witnesses. I don’t want a band of angry Irishmen on my ass. I’m taking a wife. It would be nice not to have to look over my shoulder when I go on a honeymoon.”

“Oh, a honeymoon? I thought Alena was only a business arrangement.”

“I can’t change the fact that the woman is as fuckable as she is insatiable. Besides, I need to put a baby in her. I need an heir.”

“Sounds like you met your match if you ask me.”

“I didn’t ask you,” I reply somberly. “Tell Antonio to make sure there are no fuckups. I’m all for keeping Caitlan safe. Some men don’t respond to warnings. I have too much to worry about than to be involved with domestic issues. Take care of it, and I never want to hear of it again.”

“I’m on it,” Gio says before bidding me a good night.

This Finn situation is a nasty business.

Irishmen love their dark ale and are known to be unpredictable.

They also hold grudges forever. Forget about the Luck of the Irish.

I’m a fucking Italian, and the Irish are a pain in my ass.

They’ve been at war with a clan in England for years over a hit on a family member, and I have no desire to wind up in the same situation.

I slide into bed. I wonder what is going through Alena’s mind now that she knows who I am.

Her eyes flashed with delight when she looked at the ring.

I’ve never been in a relationship. However, she’s my Angel, and she deserves the most impressive ring.

Besides, I want everyone to know that she’s mine.

Where could we go for a honeymoon? Sicily is lovely, but we’d be overrun with my family around and dropping in to see my new wife.

I don’t have much of a lead on who might want me dead.

So far, nothing has panned out. I’m like a dog chasing its tail.

I’m running in circles, hoping our next lead doesn’t meet with another dead end or a dead body.

What did Dad do? He was my father, but I didn’t know him to be anything other than the ruthless and abusive man he was. I took the brunt of the spankings and beatings. Whenever he had a bad day, he took it out on me.

Was Dad the only target? Or does someone want me dead? I never leave my livelihood or that of my siblings up to chance. Logically, whoever killed him might want me dead as well.

Living defensively is the only course of action.

I don’t know how I’ll break the news to Alena.

She’s never been in a gilded cage, but the danger that’s lurking beyond my walls is real, whether Dad was murdered or not.

To me, the most dangerous time for a don is at the beginning and end of his service.

Death by poison is the sign of a coward or a woman, but weeks have passed, and I’ve not been able to ascertain anything. I’m frustrated, and it pisses me off.

My mind wanders to Alena and how she threw her tidbit about sex with an Italian in my face at dinner.

She almost got me. If I hadn’t followed her, I might have believed she was seeing someone else.

I chuckle when I remember looking at her mother’s face after the comment.

I thought she would choke on her borsch.

Alena is a lively woman, and I doubt life will ever be dull. Can I make her leave all that she’s known in the city and her life with her friends to be my wife and the mother to my children?

I need to go through Dad’s papers. If I continue to ponder all of my problems tonight, I’ll never get any rest, and I have to be alert now, more than ever.

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