Page 58 of Secret Seduction

“Because you care about her.”

“Yeah, I do. And I’m done fighting it. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I want her in my and my son’s life.”

He nods in understanding. “It’s how I feel every day of my life. How I justify killing the people who threaten my family’s lives, especially my wife.”

The last thing I wanted was my sister being caught up in this shit, but I can’t deny that Matteo loves my sister harder than anyone ever could. And he would die trying to protect her.

“How are you?”

Aside from a gash on his forehead, he looks okay.

“They’re making me get an MRI done to make sure there’s no injury to my brain.” He shrugs. “When the asshole T-boned me, I wasn’t wearing my seat belt. My forehead hit the front window, and one of my men drove me here since I was passed out.”

“Fuck, Matteo.”

“I’m fine,” he insists. “But that fucking bitch got away. She knew exactly what we were doing and was two steps ahead.” He clenches his jaw. “She’s just fucking with us at this point. She knows we’re not going anywhere, and instead of trying to take us out, she’s playing games.”

“Her guy delivered a message before I killed him. He said Vanessa is hers.”

“I’m stepping up security. I already told Dominick that the women can hang out at each other’s places, but they’re not going anywhere else in public until this bitch is caught.”

My thoughts go to Vanessa working at the casino. I want so badly to convince her to quit, but she’s too independent, and she’ll never let me pay for her shit.

“Can I pay for extra security to be put on Vanessa at the casino?”

Matteo’s brows shoot up to his forehead. “You’re gonna let her continue to work there?”

“She’s too fucking stubborn. She’s determined to make her own way, and she needs the money to pay for school.”

“I’ll make sure she’s untouchable,” Matteo says. “But maybe work on persuading her to quit. It’d make shit easier since she seems to be Leysa’s prime target.”

His phone vibrates, and he groans.

“I need you to do me a favor.”

“Anything,” I say.

“Dani’s about to have a heart attack with me stuck here. She’s threatening to tear my balls from my body because the guards won’t let her come to me. Can you go over there and assure her I’m okay? Stress isn’t good for her or the baby. As soon as I get this fucking MRI, I’m leaving, but I promised her I’d get it.”

He rolls his eyes, and I chuckle because Matteo would do anything for my sister.

“You got it, man.” I stand and extend my arm to bump his fist. “Thank you for having my back tonight.”

“Always,” he says. “I’m sorry it came down to you having to protect her. We lost two more men tonight because of that bitch, and when I get my hands on her, I’m going to torture her for every single person she’s fucked with.”

“Oh, thank God you’re okay!” Dani throws her arms around me and hugs me tightly. “When Matteo told me what happened, I swear I died a thousand deaths.”

“Dramatic much?” I mutter, walking into their condo and looking for my niece. “Where’s Alba?”

“Sleeping, thankfully. She’s so sensitive to my moods, so she would’ve known how stressed I was about Matteo. And the asshole won’t let me out of this freaking place.”

“He’s making sure you and that baby you’re carrying are safe.”

Her cheeks flush at my words. “He told you, huh?”

“Of course,” I scoff. “He might be your husband, but he’s still my best friend.”

She rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”