Chapter 32

Angelo

I laid most of the night with Vivianna in my arms. My eyes were closed, but I wasn’t asleep. I couldn’t sleep, knowing when morning came all hell would be breaking loose. Matteo knew and come morning, he’s want to confront me. Maybe even fight me. No. He would want to fight me. The look in his eyes last at the club held nothing but hatred. Loathing. Betrayal.

I spent my night whispering apologies into Vivianna’s ear. I told her how sorry I was and I tried. I apologized because I feared it would be her that got hurt. I would never hurt her, but there’s a chance Matteo’s words would.

Matteo was brash.

Opened his mouth without thinking.

Unfiltered.

Cruel.

He loved his sister, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t be harsh with her.

I glanced over to the window and took a deep breath. The sun was already coming up, which meant one thing. Matteo would be waking up soon. I pressed my lips to Vivianna’s bare shoulder and whispered. “I love you. Just remember that, Princess.”

I stripped off my clothes and walked to the bathroom. Leaning on the bathroom sink, I looked at my reflection and whispered to myself. “What are you going to do, Angelo?”

I turned on the shower and stepped inside, letting the hot water fall on my head. I pressed my palms against the tile as the water cascaded down my back. I quickly washed myself and turned the water off. I dried off and slipped on a pair of sweats. As I exited the bathroom, I was met with Matteo’s confused face.

Time slowed, his gaze meeting mine. He glances between me and the woman, assessing the situation. As if he was trying to process it. She was sprawled out on the bed asleep, covered with a blanket. Completely naked underneath it.

He clenched his fists, lunging for me. “You son of a bitch! I’m. Gonna. Kill. You.”

Just as he swung I ducked and sidestepped. Another lung. I shoved him and kicked my leg behind him, causing him to stumble backward. I glared as he got his balance back and hissed. “Calm the fuck down.”

Matteo kept his fists clenched, but stayed frozen. He was still trying to let it sink in. “Why? Did I do something wrong for you to punish me?”

“God no, punish you?! I fucking love her, fool.”

“Liar. Don’t fucking lie to me!”

Matteo’s chest heaved as he stepped forwards. I raised my hand up and shook my head. “No. Not here. I don’t want—I don’t want you to wake her.”

“How can you say you love her when you have a girlfriend?”

“No.” I pinched the bridge of my nose, “You’re a smart man, but right now you’re being a complete idiot. She. Is. My. Girlfriend.”

“Oh my God, I walked in and you—her—” Matteo heaved, “I think I’m gonna be sick.”

Matteo ran to the bathroom and slammed the door. Vivianna stirred and smiled up to me. I shook my head and whispered, “He knows.”

Vivianna panicked, wrapping the blanket around her and ran to me. I wrapped my arms around her shoulders and said, “Go to your room. I promise everything is going to be okay.”

“But—”

I leaned down and kissed her tenderly, “Go. I'll come find you when it’s all over.”

I turned when I saw her walk out the door and let out a breath. It was time to get this over and done. I walked towards the bathroom, leaning in the doorway. Matteo was still hovered over the toilet, puking his guts out. Probably the fact he drank himself to death last night. And, the fact he just saw his sister naked in my bed.

Matteo lifted his head and gazed up to me. His eyes were full of agony and treachery. I betrayed him in the worst possible way. I felt my chest clench at the suffering in his eyes.

I looked away and whispered, “I’m sorry. I was going to tell you last night.”

“I trusted you. I-I—I can’t even look at you right now.”

“I understand. I just want to know one thing. Who fucking told you?”

“Nobody. Vito came to me, but he never fucking told me. He came—he came to tell me that he kissed Vivianna. I didn’t believe him, so I went through the security tapes. That’s when I saw it. You. Her. The night of the party. I couldn’t deal with it. I didn’t want to see anyone. Not even my girls.”

“Matteo, I’m going to say something and you’re going to listen to me. She’s not a little girl anymore. She’s a woman. You’ve got to accept that.”

“I’m not ready to accept it. I don’t want to.”

“Let her go, Matteo.”

Matteo wasn’t a man to let his emotions get the best of him. He was the strongest man I knew apart from myself. That wasn’t what I was seeing. I was looking down at a man who was breaking. Matteo finally raised his head and croaked out. “But she’s my sister… my only blood relative.”

“I know that, but I need you to accept the fact that I love her. I want to be with her—protect her. I’ve kept her safe, yes?”

Matteo stood up, staggering to the door and whispered, “You have. I’m just not ready. Please, I need to see her.”

“Not yet. Not when the wound is too fresh. I don’t want—”

“Move. Angelo.” Now he was getting angry again.

“You told me to protect Vivianna. Well, this is me keeping her safe.”

“You think I would hurt her?”

“I know you wouldn’t, but I also know your temper. I want you to calm down and process things before you approach her. Just go rest for a while. Take yourself a breather, and later you, me, and Vivianna will sit down for dinner. We’ll talk this out like adults.”

“Just us three?”

“Yes.”