Chapter 35
Angelo
Matteo met me down the hall from Vivianna’s room. He crossed his arms over his chest and asked. “Okay, I’m here. What’s this about?”
I shook my head, “Not here. Come to my office.”
I led him to my office and slammed the door. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. My heart raced as I opened my eyes to meet Matteo’s concerned expression. “Angelo?”
“Vivianna told me—” I took a breath, “H-he raped her.”
“Who? What are you—” Matteo began to put the pieces together and clenched his fists.
“He hurt her—touched her,” I whispered.
“Tell me the name,” Matteo demanded, his voice full of malice.
“Simon. Simon Romanov. We have to make our move now before he does it to anyone else. I-I just—I can’t breathe.” I held my chest in pain.
“Angelo! Boss!” Matteo steadied me as I placed my palm on the wall for support. “Here, you need to sit down. Deep breaths, boss.”
Matteo helped me to the sofa and tapped my cheek. “Come on, dammit. Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale. You’re having a panic attack.”
Inhale.
Slowly exhale.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Inhale.
Slowly exhale.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
“I’m good now. I think.”
Matteo grabbed the whiskey off the desk and thrust it into my hands. “Drink. Calm your nerves.”
“Fuck,” I whispered and took the cap off the bottle, taking a big drink. “I’ve got an idea, but someone’s not going to like it.”
“The Romanov girl?”
“I need to talk to her. She’s the only hope to draw Simon out. I don’t want to, but it’s the only way.”
“What about Vinnie? Surely, he can—”
“Bring me Vito and Sabina. I’ll text Vinnie to come to the office. We all need to have a talk.”
I texted Vinnie and a few minutes later, he knocked. I opened the door and narrowed my eyes. “It’s time to move on him. First thing, we grab Simon Romanov. I want you to go back to Russia and get ready to take the old man down. It’s time for you to take what’s rightfully yours.”
“I thought we agreed it was too soon. What changed?”
“Remember when Vivianna got taken?”
“I remember. I was the one who carried her to safety. What’s this got to do with Simon?”
“It was him. Simon. Raped. Her.”
Vito stepped inside, protectively holding Sabina by the waist.
I clapped my hands once and announced.
“Since someone decided to start the family reunion early, let’s get on with it, yes? Sabina, meet Vinnie Romanov—your brother.”
“There is something we all have in common. Simon Romanov. It’s time to take down Simon’s father and bring Russia’s rightful King to his throne. It’s time we show them what happens to people that mess with Angelo Valentino.”
“No!” Vito hissed, “She’s not going back there.”
“Vito, just hear me out. She will be protected.”
“Is that how you protected Vivianna?! Carmella?!” Vito ground out.
“Watch it, Vito. Need I remind you I still have to talk to you about kissing my woman.” I raised a brow.
Sabina jerked her head to the side and glared at him. Hmm, interesting. He stepped forward and growled. “She’s. Not. Doing. It.”
“I’ll do it. Just tell me what I have to do.” Sabina announced.
I leaned forward in my chair and smiled. “All you have to do is meet Simon. We’ll handle the rest.”
“O-okay. I’ll help you. It’s the least I could do after all the trouble I’ve caused.” She whispered, avoiding Vito’s angry glare.
“Thank you, Sabina.”
Vito gripped her wrist harshly and whispered in her ear. I raised my brow at Vito. He narrowed his eyes and sneered. “Fuck you all! This is fucking suicide and you know it, Sabina.”
“Vito, you don’t own me.”
I met Matteo’s gaze. He was laughing this up. Matteo cleared his throat and smirked. “Don’t worry Vito, I’ll keep her safe.”
“The fuck you will. You know what Matteo, I’ve had it with you. Your rude comments. Coming into my room without knocking. I’m done playing nice with you. You. Me. Right fucking now!”
“Geez, calm down. I was only playing with you.” Matteo held his hands up in surrender.
“Well, I’m not.” Vito stripped off his jacket and rolled up his sleeves.
I sighed and place my hand on my forehead. These two are impossible.
“Matteo. Vito. Step away from each other. Don’t talk to each other. Christ, don’t even look at each other. You two are like a couple of male cats that hate each other, but can’t quit staring. Put your differences aside, so we can take Simon down.”
“Fine!” Vito hissed.
“Fine!” Matteo mocked Vito.
“Okay, this is what I want to do. Sabina, I need you to text Simon and tell him you’re surrendering to him. He’ll meet you somewhere. That’s when we grab him. And you, Vinnie, I want you to go back to Russia and play the perfect doting son. Make him think you’re on his side. Then, that’s when we strike. Claim your throne, Vinnie Romanov.”
“When do we start?” Vinnie asked.
“I’ve already got a plane ready for you to board. You leave in an hour.” I pointed to Matteo, “And you, I want you to get a location on Simon Romanov. Then, Sabina can text him a time and place.”
Vito, Sabina, and Vinnie shuffled out of the office, leaving just Matteo and I. He sighed, leaning on my desk. “You really love her that much?”
“I do. I’d do anything for her.”
“Any man willing to sacrifice himself for my sister is worthy in my eyes. You’ve got my blessing, brother.”
“You approve?”
“I do. Now, go up there and go to her. She needs you. Go be with your Queen. Then tomorrow, we take our revenge on my sister.”
“Should I tell the girls to meet you in your room?”
“Please do, I need to work off some of this extra energy.”