Page 34 of Ruined By Protection (Feretti Syndicate #5)

Matteo

I stand outside the mansion, cigarette burning between my fingers as I stare into the darkness. The night air is cold but I barely feel it. My mind keeps replaying Hazel's words.

"Killing someone, even the filthiest man alive, makes you no better than him."

The cigarette burns down to my fingers and I curse, flicking it away. I pull another from the pack, lighting it with hands that aren't quite steady.

She thinks I'm like him. Like Montgomery. The thought makes my stomach turn.

I take a long drag so the smoke fills my lungs. I understand her fear of violence—Christ, after what she's been through, how could she not be afraid? But to compare me to that piece of shit who beat her, controlled her, terrorized her...

I exhale slowly, watching the smoke dissipate into the night air.

Maybe she's right. Maybe there's something so broken in me that I can't see it anymore.

Violence has been part of my life for so long that I don't question it.

It's just a tool, like a hammer or a wrench. You use what works for the job.

And for men like Montgomery, only one thing works.

The sound of footsteps on gravel pulls me from my thoughts. Daniel approaches, his face serious in the dim light from the mansion windows.

"Matteo." His voice is calm, professional. "Damiano wants to talk. They're waiting for you inside."

I exhale the last of the smoke. "Alright."

We walk in silence back inside the mansion. Just before we reach the door Daniel pauses. "For what it's worth," he says quietly, "I would've done the same thing. Montgomery crossed a line going after Evelyn."

I give him a short nod, appreciating the sentiment but not trusting myself to speak. My emotions are too raw, too close to the surface.

The warmth of the mansion is enveloping as we step inside. I follow Daniel through the foyer, past the living room where Lucrezia sits with Evelyn, both of them looking up as we pass. Evelyn's eyes are red-rimmed but she gives me a brave smile. I nod in acknowledgment but don't stop.

Damiano's office feels different at night.

The warm wood paneling seems darker, more imposing.

The lights are dimmed, casting long shadows across the room.

Noah leans against the wall near the window, arms crossed, face unreadable.

Damiano sits behind his massive desk, fingers steepled in front of him.

"Sit," Damiano says, gesturing to the chairs across from him.

I take a seat, the leather creaking beneath me. Daniel sits in the chair beside mine, his posture military-straight.

"Tell me what we have on this piece of shit," Damiano says, his voice deceptively calm. I know that tone—it's the quiet before the storm.

"We know where he's staying. But somehow he managed to leave the hotel while making it look like he was still in there." I shake my head, annoyed at being outplayed. "He's got someone working with him. Someone with skills."

"You didn't grab him when you had the chance?" Damiano's question isn't accusatory—just gathering information.

"No." I meet his eyes. "We could have but I wanted to see what he'd do first. Find out who he's working with, what his endgame is." I clench my jaw. "That was before he went after Evelyn."

Noah pushes off from the wall. "We've put resources into digging up information about that missing girlfriend—Melissa Winters." His voice is hard. "The pregnant one."

Daniel nods. "Initially we thought we could use that intel to pressure him into leaving Hazel alone." He glances at me. "But now..."

"Now I'm just going to kill him," I finish, the words coming out flat and final.

Damiano studies me, his dark eyes giving nothing away. The only sound in the room is the soft ticking of the antique clock on the bookshelf.

"You know what Montgomery is–just a rich boy playing gangster."

I keep my face neutral, waiting for him to continue.

"These silver-spoon types think they're untouchable.

Daddy's money bought them out of every consequence for their actions their whole lives.

" Damiano's eyes harden. "So they learn the wrong lessons.

They think they can kill pregnant women—because I'm sure he did.

Beat their wives. Terrorize anyone weaker than them. "

My fingers tighten on the armrests.

"I don't really care about him, Matteo." Damiano spreads his hands. "Feed him to sharks. Throw him off the Empire State Building and watch his brains splatter on the sidewalk. Do whatever you want with him."

Noah shifts against the wall, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth.

"The only problem," Damiano continues, "is that I don't want our name anywhere near this." He leans forward. "We can't afford the attention right now. Not with the casino expansion, not with the relationship we're building with the commissioner."

I nod, understanding completely. "Clean and untraceable."

"Exactly." Damiano's eyes bore into mine.

"I'll handle it personally," I say.

"Do it fast," Damiano adds. "He's desperate and desperate people are unpredictable. We don't know who he's working with or what he's planning next."

The room falls silent for a moment. I feel Noah watching me, calculating as always.

"I want details on how you'll do it," Damiano says finally. "I need to know there won't be blowback."

I lean forward, my mind already working through the possibilities. "I have a few ideas."

"Good." Damiano nods. "Work with Daniel on the logistics. Noah will provide whatever resources you need."

I rise from the chair, my mind already mapping out the most efficient way to handle Montgomery. No witnesses, no evidence, no connection to the family. Just a problem that disappears.

"I'll draw up the plan tonight," I tell Damiano. "Have it on your desk by morning."

He nods, dismissing us with a wave of his hand. Noah pushes off the wall, falling into step beside me as we leave the office.

The hallway feels too bright after the dimness of Damiano's sanctuary. I blink, adjusting to the light, and that's when I see her.

Hazel stands in the entrance hall, arms wrapped around herself like she's cold. Her honey-blonde hair falls loose around her shoulders and she's changed into jeans and a soft sweater. She looks small, vulnerable, but her chin is lifted with that stubborn determination I've come to recognize.

Our eyes connect and something passes between us—an electric current of unspoken words.

Noah notices her too, slowing his pace. "I'll catch up with you later," he murmurs, nudging Daniel to follow him.

They peel off toward the kitchen, leaving Hazel and me alone in the marble-floored hall. The grandfather clock in the corner ticks loudly in the silence.

"Can we talk?" she asks, her voice soft but steady.

I nod, keeping my distance. The last thing I want is to make her uncomfortable again.

"Not here," she says, glancing around. "Somewhere private."

I lead her to a small drawing room off the main hall. It's rarely used—just another elegant space in a house full of them. Cream linen furniture, abstract artwork, a view of the garden through French doors. I close the door behind us, giving us privacy from curious ears.

Hazel doesn't sit. She stands near the window, moonlight casting half her face in a luminous glow.

"I wanted to apologize," she says, the words coming out in a rush. "For what I said earlier. About you being no better than Elliott."

I stay by the door, keeping space between us. "You don't need to apologize."

"I do." She turns to face me fully. "It was unfair and... cruel. I was upset about Evelyn and I lashed out at you."

The soft light catches in her hair, making it glow like honey. I want to cross the room, pull her into my arms, tell her everything will be okay. But I stay rooted to the spot.

"You were scared," I say. "Anyone would be."

She shakes her head. "That's not an excuse. I know you're nothing like him. Elliott hurts people because he enjoys it. Because it makes him feel powerful." Her eyes meet mine, steady and clear. "You're protecting your family. There's a difference."

I don't know what to say. Her words loosen the tight bind in my chest—a knot I didn't realize was there until it started to unravel.

I take a step toward her, drawn by some invisible force.

She immediately lifts her hands, palms out. "Don't." Her voice is firm. "Please don't touch me."

I freeze, the rejection hitting like a physical blow.

"I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry," she continues, her voice gentler now. "But nothing's changed. I still can't... we still can't..."

I nod once, sharply. "I understand."

And I do. She's in the middle of a nightmare.

Her husband is hunting her. Her life has been torn apart.

The last thing she needs is me complicating things further, even though I don't like it.

I want my arms closing around her like she is the most precious human in the entire multiverse. Because she fucking is.

I nod once more, then turn to leave.

I am a monster to her.

That's how she sees me.

And she's not wrong.

Hazel

I watch Matteo walk away, his shoulders rigid with tension. My heart aches but I know I made the right decision. I can't get involved with someone else right now, especially not someone like Matteo. Not when I'm still trying to escape Elliott.

"Well, that looked intense."

I spin around to find Evelyn standing in the French door to the garden. She's wrapped in an oversized cardigan, her dark hair pulled back in a messy bun. There's a bruise forming on her cheekbone from Elliott's attack.

"How long have you been standing there?" I ask.

"Just caught the end." She steps into the room, closing the door behind her. "You okay?"

I sink onto one of the sofas, suddenly exhausted. "Not really."

Evelyn sits beside me, tucking her feet underneath her. The moonlight streaming through the windows catches on her face, highlighting the worry in her eyes.

"What's going on with you and Matteo?" she asks softly. "And don't you dare say nothing."

I stare down at my hands, at the wildflower tattoo on my wrist that I got to remind myself to be brave. Right now, I don't feel brave at all.

"It's complicated," I say finally.

"Most things worth talking about are." She nudges my knee gently. "Come on, Hazel. We used to tell each other everything."

The concern in her voice breaks something loose inside me. Before I know it words are spilling out.

"I met him once before," I admit.

Evelyn's eyes widen. "What? When?"

"He came into The Remington one night. Three years ago in Austin. We... connected." My cheeks flush at the memory. "I spent the night with him."

"Wait, you slept with Matteo Caruso three years ago?" Evelyn's voice rises in disbelief. "And you never told me?"

"It was a one-night thing. He was just passing through." I twist my fingers together. "I left before he woke up."

"Oh."

I nod. "He pretended he didn’t recognise me at first. Said he needed to make sure I wasn't using you to get to the family."

Evelyn lets out a low whistle. "That's... wow. And now?"

"Now everything's a mess." I press my palms against my eyes. "We slept together again last night."

"You what?" Evelyn nearly shouts, then lowers her voice. "Hazel, you're still handling a messed up relationship."

"I know." My voice cracks. "That's why I told Matteo it was a mistake. That we can't happen."

"But that's not all, is it?" Evelyn's always been able to read me too well.

I hesitate, then pull out my phone and show her the photo. "I got this today."

Evelyn takes the phone, studying the image of Matteo with the redhead. "When was this taken?"

"This morning. Right after he left my bed." The bitter taste in my mouth is agony.

She hands the phone back, her expression thoughtful. "And you're sure it's from this morning?"

"The timestamp says so."

"Timestamps can be faked, Hazel."

I shake my head. "It doesn't matter. This—" I gesture between myself and the door Matteo exited through "—can't happen anyway. I need to focus on staying alive and getting free of Elliott."

"And you think pushing Matteo away helps with that how exactly?" Evelyn's voice is gentle but challenging.

"I can't jump from one relationship to another. I need to figure out who I am without a man controlling my life."

"Is that what you think Matteo would do? Control you?"

The question hangs in the air between us. I think about how Matteo looked at me in the kitchen, how he held me last night, how he stepped back immediately when I asked him not to come closer.

"I don't know," I admit. "But I can't risk finding out. Not now."

Evelyn sighs, reaching over to squeeze my hand. "I get it. I do. But Hazel, I've known Matteo for a while now. He's not Elliott."

"I know that. Logically I know that." I swallow hard. "But every time I think about letting someone in again, I feel like I can't breathe."

"That's the trauma talking," she says softly. "Elliott did that to you. He made you afraid."

"And now he's coming after both of us." Tears sting my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Evelyn. This is all my fault. If I hadn't called you?—"

"Stop." Her voice is firm. "The only person responsible for Elliott's actions is Elliott."

I wipe at my eyes. "I just want this to be over."

"It will be." Evelyn's eyes glisten with determination. "One way or another."

We sit in silence for a moment, the weight of everything pressing down on us. Outside, the garden is peaceful in the moonlight, so at odds with the chaos of our lives.

Evelyn sighs. "You know, Matteo was actually the first of the Ferettis I met after Noah took me."

" Took you?" My brows shoot up with surprise. "What happened?"

She shakes her head, a shadow crossing her face. "That's a story for another time. Let's just say I was in a bad place and Matteo... he helped, in his own way."

"Was he always this..." I gesture vaguely, unable to find the right word.

"Intense? Brooding? Hot?" Evelyn offers with a grin.

I laugh despite myself. "All of the above."

"He's a good bad guy, if you know what I mean." Evelyn's expression turns serious. "Look, I'm not saying you should forgive him for whatever's going on between you two. But as I said Matteo isn't Elliott. Not even close."

"I know that." I wrap my arms around my knees. "I shouldn't have said what I did."

"We all say things we don't mean when we're scared." She touches my shoulder gently. "He's complicated, sure. But from what I can tell you're pretty complicated yourself right now."

I can't argue with that. "Everything feels like it's spinning out of control."