Page 74 of Dare To Free Us
“I do know that, Matteo.”
“It’s not just about me. I have dozens of men and people that work for me. Many of them with families. I can’t just pretend they don’t exist and walk away.”
“I understand,” I said, but my heart was twisting in my chest. Matteo wasn’t going to be able to let go. He was a gangster, now and forever. I bit my lip to keep from crying.
“I don’t know how long it will take, or if I can even accomplish it, but if you give me time I’ll do my best to find a way out for us.”
I froze as adrenaline tingled my cheeks and jacked my heart rate so high I thought it would burst. Did he just say what I thought he said? I blinked up at him like a deer stunned in the headlights. But as much as I wanted to scream and jump for joy, I knew the person that would burden all stress was him. Not to mention any security he possessed in his title and prowess in a world he’d spent all his life building would be lost. Or was he just telling me what I wanted to hear?
“Matteo, I need you to really mean that. If you want me to promise you that I’ll never try to run away, I need to know you meant what you just said.” I made sure my voice was iron hard and demanded the truth.
“You have my word, Arianna.” It was all I needed.
Pulling his head down so his forehead rested against mine I strummed my hands through his thick hair. “So, any ideas?”
“Not a single fucking one that doesn’t end with taking years or being hunted down like dogs.” Matteo’s honesty bled disappointment.
“I know you will come up with something. I believe in you, Matteo.”
Pulling me close, Matteo hugged me to his body until I thought he was going to crush me again. “I know, Beautiful.”
CRASH! BANG!
Matteo and I both startled as the doors flew open. While a scream of fright tore from my throat and I reached for the covers, Matteo jumped out of bed and reached for his pistol.
“Whoa! Matteo, it’s me!” Nico threw up his hands in defense.
“What that fuck Nico! I should shoot you right now. How dare you come in here.” Matteo stood rigid, pointing the gun at Nico’s head, completely unabashed at his nakedness.
“You wouldn’t answer your phone,” Nico yelled and I realized he looked panicked, and not just because Matteo was still pointing a gun at him.
“I put it on silent. You can’t knock you little…”
“Matteo, they are hitting Vasilisa’s safe-house. Right now.”
“Who?” Matteo barked, finally lowering the gun.
“The MC.”
I threw a hand over my mouth in shock.Vasilisa!
18
MATTEO
Fuck. Shit. Fuck.
My brain function kicked into high gear. It hadn’t been a whole week like the MC and Irish threatened, but of course criminals are dishonest. Who knew?
“Get the men together. Everyone you can spare except for the house. I want another five sent here. We leave in five minutes. Anyone not here meets us on the way.” Nico nodded and ran from the room.
Rushing to the closet I forwent a usual suit and pulled on some worn jeans and a long-sleeved shirt, then shoved my feet into lace up boots that I’d tie when I was in the car. Thundering out of the closet I put my holsters back on.
If the MC were making a move I had no doubt the Irish were involved, which meant the war had escalated tenfold. It was anyone’s guess how far they were going to take this. If they were after Vasilisa alone that was one thing but why stop there? If it were me I would take the opportunity to push the power struggle as far as possible, meaning there was a good chance they were also going to attack me personally.
Arianna.
Turning towards the bed, I saw her clenching the sheets to her chest with white knuckles. Most of the color had drained from her face as she watched me move into full on mafia-boss mode.