Page 216 of Vicious Intentions
I pretend not to notice the daggers Annamaria throws at me as I lead everyone into the club and downstairs toward the basement. Guards line the corridor, the same soldiers who hauled him inside after he knocked on the door.
The asshole didn’t even bother hiding why he was here.
He just showed up at my father’s club demanding to see his wife.
I tilt my head toward the guards stationed outside the room, silently ordering them to move aside.
But the second I open the door, Anna shoves past me and rushes inside before I can stop her.
“Matteo!”
“Fuck… Anna!”
My sister throws herself into his lap, cradling his face as she kisses him with everything she has.
“I thought you were dead,” she sobs between frantic kisses.
“I know. I know, sweetheart.” His voice breaks as he struggles against the bindings holding his arms behind the chair. “I’m alive. I’m here.”
“Don’t you ever do that to me again,” she cries. “I’ve died every single day since the last time I saw you.”
“Fuck, me too,vita mia.” His eyes shine with unshed tears as he desperately fights against the restraints just to touch her. “I love you so much. So fucking much.”
“I love you too. So much, Matteo. So much.” She keeps kissing him.
“These last few weeks have been hell on earth without you.Ti amo tanto, vita mia.”
“Ti amo così tanto, amore mio.Tanto.”
“Stella,” I hear my husband murmur behind me, his warm hand settling against my back.
“I know,” I grit out, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene unfolding before me.
I knew my sister had been brainwashed into believing she was in love with Matteo, but wouldn’t you know it… it looks like he’s just as delusional as she is.
No. This isn’t a delusion. He really loves her. It’s clear as day now.
Which makes this entire situation a fucking mess.
“Please.” Anna turns toward me, tears streaking down her cheeks. “Untie him. Please, Stella.”
My heart cracks at the agony in her voice.
“Kostya,” I say quietly, silently asking my brother-in-law to do the honors.
“You sure?” he asks, his brows furrowing.
“Please, Stella,” my baby sister begs again.
“I’m sure,” I nod.
Kirill immediately wraps an arm around my waist, like he already knows I need his touch to steady the chaos raging inside my head.
Kostya walks over to Matteo, pulls out his blade, and cuts through the zip ties binding his bloody wrists behind the chair.
Matteo doesn’t hesitate for even a second, immediately engulfing Annamaria in his arms and kissing her like the rest of us no longer exist.
“I… um…” Kostya rubs the back of his neck awkwardly. “I don’t think we should be here for this. Maybe we should, uh… give them some privacy.”
