Chapter 188 THE GHOST THAT NEVER DIED

Chapter 188 THE GHOST THAT NEVER DIED
MARTIN’S POV

They buried me just short of a year ago without a body.

Even though they didn't have a body, it was enough for a burial.

Because in a world like ours, death doesn’t need proof or anything, it just needs belief and everyone believes it.

The Family, all my enemies and even Matteo.

My twin.
My other half and the one person I never wanted to lie to and yet the one person I'd deceived the most.

I watch his unconscious body now through the rearview mirror and I'm glad I made it in time.
He's alive.

A slow breath leaves me as my grip tightens slightly around the steering wheel.

He wouldn’t understand what happened, not yet and I'm sure he may never forgive me but that doesn't matter.
As long as he's alive.

And Matteo–

Matteo was never meant to survive in the Family, especially with his character traits.
Matteo feels too deeply and has a conscience so he would never fit the way he is, especially as their Head.

They were always going to break him, dispose of him when he became useless to them or use him until there was nothing left.

So I did what I had to do.

Even if it meant becoming a ghost and being the villain in his story, I disappeared.

My eyes flick briefly to him again.

His head is tilted slightly to the side with his dark hair falling across his forehead.

Even now, with his pursed brows, he looks like he’s fighting something.

That part of him hasn’t changed I see.
A quiet scoff leaves me.

“Still stubborn,” I murmur under my breath.

My jaw tightens.

Nine months is how long it took me to recover from amnesia from the freak accident that “killed” me.

I never wanted to reveal myself afterwards because the Family would just discard him for me.

My fingers tap lightly against the steering wheel as the road stretches ahead and I remember why I never liked coming to the States.

We’re far enough from the city now.

Matteo stirs behind me with a low groan slipping past his lips as the sedative begins to wear off.

I exhale slowly.

“Stay down,” I mutter. He must've built up a resistance in the past year.

But of course, he doesn't listen.
His body jerks against the restraints immediately.

“–What the hell–!”

His voice is rough and angry.

“Who the fuck are you?!” he demands sharply.
That's the violent Matteo I remember.
Not the cool and rational one the Family trained him to be as their Head.

I don’t answer him, we're not there yet.

“Stop the car,” he snaps, struggling harder now with the cuffs biting into his wrists. “I said stop this damn car!”

I keep driving steadily like I can't hear him.

“Did the Family send you?” he continues, his tone dropping to something dangerous. “Or are you just another idiot looking for a reward?”

I say nothing because even my voice can give myself away.

And I’ve come too far for that.

“You think I won’t kill you the moment I get out of this?” he adds still in a rage.

A faint smile tugs at my lips.

“That’s the plan,” I murmur quietly and sigh at his immediate look of suspicion.
Ahh fuck, I shouldn’t have said that.

My grip tightens on the wheel.

“Who are you?” he asks quieter this time but I don't answer him.
I won’t.

Instead I veer off at one point into a hidden dirt path as his gaze sharpens.

“Where are you taking me?”

This is the only place and person left that could help us.

The only chance we have to walk away from the Family–
Alive.

The massive mansion comes into view slowly as it's buried deep in the forest like a secret.

There are no guards or visible security in sight but I know better.

This place is more protected than any fortress the Family owns.

I bring the car to a slow stop as the air goes quiet like it's a deserted place and even Matteo watches me in silence too.

“Last chance,” he says with his voice low. “Tell me who you are.”

Ignoring him, I step out of the car slowly with my hands up as I look around warily.

The front door of the mansion opens before I can reach it and she steps out.

A very beautiful and charming woman who doesn't look a day over thirty is looking at me calmly like she's expecting me.

Her very familiar eyes are staring right at my own with a calm resignation on her face.

Her eyes with streaks of gold in them reflect my own similar eyes.

The same as the Moreau bloodline.

I've only seen her in pictures but she looks older now.

But still beautiful and dangerous and–
Not pleased at all.

Her gaze flicks briefly to the car then back to me with annoyance clear on in the slight arch of her brown.

But she doesn’t call anyone or move to attack so that's a win.

Instead, she lifts her hand slightly in a simple motion and commands as relief settles in my chest.

Enter.

This could have gone very differently.

She could have had me killed the moment I stepped foot on this land and no one would have questioned it or cared since I'm technically dead.

There’s still hope since she didn't.

I move quickly, opening the back door and reaching in to lift Matteo on my shoulder.

He struggles weakly.

“Get your hands off me–”

But the sedative is still in his system so I ignore him and carry him in.

And for a brief moment, it feels like before.

Like years ago when things were much simpler and we were just–

Brothers.

I swallow hard and take a bold step forward to our only choice.

“Aunt, I–”

“Don’t.”

The word cuts through me instantly causing me to go quiet.

She steps closer to me as her gaze narrows slightly as she studies me.

Not surprised or even in curiosity but like she’s deciding whether I’m worth the trouble or not.

“I have cut all ties with the Family so you will not call me that,” she says calmly.

Her voice is smooth but not any less dangerous than any other Don I've met.

I straighten slightly and adjust my grip on Matteo as I wait for what she says in trepidation.

She's our only hope!

Her gaze flicks once more to Matteo then to me finally.

“My name is Lily Emily West.”

A pause from her before she continues,
“And that,” she adds quietly, “is what you will refer to me as.”