Page 84 of Vicious Intentions
“And what if I’m suffering too? Does that earn me an apology for the way he’s been acting?”
“Are you?” She arches a brow.
I’m in fucking agony.
When I don’t say anything, she lets out a sigh and takes a seat beside me.
“I never did know when you were hurting,” she says, brushing the hair away from my temple. “You always hid it so well.” She frowns. “It was only in the summers, when I came to stay with you in this house, that I saw the proof of your misery and realized how much pain you endured on your own.”
“Mom,” I mutter, not wanting to think about such things right now.
She hears the reluctance in my tone and refrains from broaching the subject again. But the mere mention of that time in our lives must rattle old ghosts, judging by the way she asks her next question.
“Is Carlo still alive?” I nod. “And how long do I have to wait until he’s not?”
I turn to face her. Her head lowers, her eyes fixed on a single spot on the kitchen table.
“Not long.”
The tension in her shoulders eases instantly.
“Please let me know when it’s going to happen,” she says softly. “I want to wear red that day.”
I place my hand over hers on the table and give it a light squeeze.
“Then I should take you shopping for the perfect dress.”
She turns my way and offers me a sweet smile.
“Make peace with Raffaele, Matteo. You should never be angry with the people who love you best. They are all you have.”
“I have my doubts that Raffaele loves me at all.”
“If he didn’t, he wouldn’t be hurting so much. Whatever the case, make it right by your brother.”
I don’t say anything to that, since it’s easier said than done. Raffaele wants the one thing I can’t give him. Not anymore. Not now. And what’s worse, I’m about to ask him for help just so I can keep impersonating him a little longer. To keep the lie alive, long enough for me to bring Anna home.
After finishing my coffee, I take two ibuprofens for the migraine I foresee my kid brother giving me in just a few minutes. When I finally make my way upstairs to my office, I find Raffaele already sitting down, albeit in my chair, swinging right to left.
“So this is what it feels like to be king, huh? No wonder you love it so much.”
Raffaele is trying to push my buttons, but I can’t let him. Not today, at least. Not when I need him.
“Our father got his seat by killing his own brother, Alessandro. Are you thinking of doing something similar?” I cock a brow.
“Nah. If you died, Nico would be the next in line, so I’d have to kill him too. And I like Nico. So you’re safe by default.”
“How reassuring,” I chuckle, though the sound feels flat even to my own ears.
“So what do you want?” Raffaele says, still in my seat. Instead of kicking him out of it, I lean against the corner of the desk, cross my arms, and stare down at him.
“I need a favor.”
“Youneed a favor?” He laughs. “Why the fuck are you coming to me for a favor? Don’t you have minions to follow your every order now?”
“This is a favor only you can do.”
“Me?” he asks skeptically.
