Page 220 of Vicious Intentions
They love each other.
Fuck.
Like everyone else in this family, when I first found out about their marriage, I wanted to believe Matteo forced Anna into it just to tie her to New York forever. That she was nothing more than a pawn used to force the Outfit into relinquishing its control over the city.
However, that day back at the church… When he looked at my sister like she was the only thing tethering him to this world and told her he loved her with what he thought were his dying breaths, part of me began to suspect his feelings for her might actually be real.
And it wasn’t only that moment that made me question his loyalty to the Cosa Nostra.
Another memory resurfaces from the day we were trying to extricate our soldiers from the Cosa Nostra’s grip. I was distracted that night. Exhausted by the war and being away from Izzie for so long.
And because of that exhaustion, I made a mistake.
A mistake I became aware of the second Matteo lifted his weapon and fired at the drywall behind me.
Anyone else would’ve assumed he missed.
But men like Matteo and me don’t miss.
Which left me wondering why he would intentionally warn me instead of taking the kill shot.
Now I know.
He spared me because he knew my death would destroy Anna.
And now I’m left facing the same predicament. If I kill him, I’ll destroy her too.
“What are we going to do?” Stella asks quietly, looking more shaken than I’ve seen her in years.
Yes…what are we going to do?
One thing is for sure, letting Matteo go isn’t an option. Too much blood has already been spilled. The Outfit will demand that Matteo be made an example of. And if I refuse to kill him, the other families will use that weakness to challenge my authority.
I’ve only beenCapo dei Capifor a matter of weeks, after my father was forced to step down in disgrace. The other heads of families would love nothing more than to see the entire Romano bloodline stripped from power after such a scandal.
The only reason I’m still sitting at the head of the table is because tradition demands it.
Which means I need to prove the Outfit’s faith in me isn’t misplaced.
That I’m a fair Boss.
A just Boss.
But most importantly…that I’m not a weak one.
Which means Matteo must die.
But if he dies, Anna will suffer. And if what Stella is telling me is true, then she’ll end her life before her husband’s body is even cold.
I need to come up with a plan. One that will somehow satisfy both parties involved.
“Where are they now?” I ask, Stella nervously biting at her lip.
“I left them back at the club. Kill and Kostya are standing guard. I told the other soldiers to head home since it’s Christmas Eve and all.”
“Good. That’s very good. We don’t want any more witnesses than necessary.”
“Yeah, my thoughts exactly,” she nods. “So what’s our next step? How are we going to get out of this fucking mess?”
