Matteo's Eyes

Chapter 5

Dad carries me out of the abandoned building. He has his men take his father somewhere. I assume they will take him to the compound and keep him in the cell. Or kill him.

I start to fall asleep but do my best to stay awake. As I drift off unable to help the exhaustion that takes over me I hear the others around me whispering.

"Will she be okay?"

"Yeah, she will be fine. She just needs some rest. No more sneaking out though. I am going to scold Matteo about that and about taking credit for something he didn't do."

"I'm sorry Mrs. Lombardi. I was the one who said she could come with us. Matteo didn't want her to. I should've listened."

"It's okay. Knowing Ivory she would've gone with you even if you told her no. But since you let her go with you, you noticed when she was gone." I don't see who is talking but I think it is Shay and Mom.

"She takes after you Eve." This voice is a lot closer so I can only assume it's Dad's. "It's okay Ivory. You can sleep now."

I sink into Dad's embrace and fall fast asleep not listening to any more of their conversation.

***
I wake up to the sun shining brightly in at me. I squint my eyes trying to figure out my surroundings.

"I can close the curtains for you." Someone says as they get up and close the curtain.

"Thank you." My eyes finally adjust and I see that it is Matteo next to me.

I don't smile at him.

"I'm sorry Ivory. I shouldn't have taken credit for your idea."

"I will accept your apology IF you say that I would make a better mafia boss," I smirk at Matteo. He hates losing and more than anything else in the world he hates admitting that someone is better than him.

"No. I will not."

"Say it or I'll tell Mom and Dad about the girls."

He glares at me, "Fine. You would make a better mafia boss than me." He chokes on the last two words.

I laugh and move my hand in a waving motion so he will leave.

Over the past couple of days, Marcello had mentioned how much I was like my mother quite a lot. I wonder what my mom was like.

I decide it's time for me to find answers. I get up slowly, once on my feet, a pounding headache almost puts me back on the bed but I refuse to give up that easily.

I walk to my mom's office. I knock twice, pause, knock once, pause, and then knock twice again. It's my way of letting Mom know it's me.

"Come on in Ivory."

"Hey Mom," I smile at her.

"Hey Ivory. What's up?"

I stare at my Mom's beautiful blue eyes and long black hair. I wish I was as pretty as her. I bet Mom got all the guys when she was my age.

"When Marcello had me he told me multiple times that I am a lot like you. I just want to know why he thought that. I know you were kidnapped by the American Mafia. You tell us that story all the time because that's how you met Dad, but how does Marcello know what you were like when kidnapped?"

Mom chuckles a little to herself, "Well Marcello was the Italian Mafias leader at the time, so it was him I called from your father's phone. He thought that I was the person who kidnapped Dad so he cursed me out and threatened me. I threatened him right back."

"Oh." I smile a little to myself thinking of younger Mom threatening Marcello. "Can I ask you something else, Mom?"

"Of course sweetie." Mom pats the seat next to her.

"Can I know what your angel wing tattoos are for?"

"Well, this bottom set of wings is for my sister. That is actually how you got your name. She was named Ivory and when I was a little younger than you, my father killed her." I see my mom's eyes tear up. "Igor, my father, said that she got sick and died. I later found out he killed her."

"Oh, I'm sorry. What about the top one?" I don't want to press the topic but I am curious.

"The top one is for Rose, your dad's sister. She was my best friend. Igor also killed her." I watch as my Mom stares at the sheets in front of her deep in thought.

"When can I know your whole past? You always say I am too young." I don't want to pry but I want to know.

"I guess you can know now."

***

After about half an hour, Mom finishes explaining everything from her snarky comebacks to Dad's coma to getting kidnapped about a hundred times. She told me about how her only friends would betray her and told me about how much she and Dad had gone through.

I finally understand why Dad is always with Mom. I understand that they are very afraid of being away from each other in fear that they will lose each other forever. I understand why Mom wakes up screaming some nights.

I wrap my arms tightly around Mom.

"I love you, Ivory. I'm so proud of you. I'm so sorry you had to go through that."

"It's okay Mom." I release her from my hug, "Can I tell you about what happened at the Moon Tower?" I say excitedly trying to change the subject.

She gives me a stern look before giving in, "Yes, but don't tell your Dad."

I tell mom about everything that happened. I may have accidentally snitched on Matteo in the process but honestly, he deserves it.

"Oh, you and Shay are perfect for each other."

"Mom! I just told you about how much of a player he is."

"I know, but just you wait and see." I sigh realizing Mom will never take no as an answer.

"I'm going to go eat breakfast."

I walk out of the room and head downstairs to the kitchen where I find Angelina, Matteo, and Dad.

"Ivory! Thank god you're okay!" Angelina comes over and hugs me.

"Hey, Angie." I hug her back. She may be a bitch sometimes but she is still my sister.

Matteo looks away sheepishly, probably too ashamed to face me. Dad gives us a small smile as he makes pancakes.

"Good morning Ivory."

"Good morning Dad."

"Did you guys know that one time your mom tried to make pancakes for me and she ended up almost burning the house down?" Dad says to us but I can tell he is picturing the memory because his eyes look distant.

We all laugh at the thought.

***

Later that day Lorenzo and Lauren stop by to make sure I am doing okay. After breakfast, I barely made it up the steps so my parents put me on bed rest. Lauren came up and gave me a tub of ice cream. Lorenzo just watched and said he hopes I feel better.

Next, the Orlovs come. Mr. and Mrs. Orlov comes in first and says they are 'sorry for Shays actions'. I know it's not Shay's fault at all but I don't say that to his parents. They will go on and on about how it is and I don't want to hear that.

"Now before we go, Alina had to stay home and couldn't visit because she has homework she needs to finish. However, Shay is here and is going to stay with you for the rest of the day since you are on bed rest." Mrs. Orlov says in her proper tone.

"Oh no, it's fine. Shay doesn't need to-"
Mr. Orlov cuts me off. "No Shay needs to take responsibility for his actions. That's final." They walk out of the room and Shay slowly walks in.

"Uh, hey." he slightly smiles at me.