Matteo's Eyes

Chapter 23

It's been a month. No sign of Maxim. Matteo and I are in Dads office looking over papers and information on our next deal. Mom and Dad walk in whispering to each other.

I don't catch much of what they whisper except for:

"They are ready. Ivory...proved...is more than capable."

"She just had a... recovering."

"Ready for what?" I interrupt.

Dad speaks before Mom can, "A Mafia Market. It's a ball. You meet with other mafia leaders and get allies. Not that you need them because you have each other."

"I am worried that you are still recovering from your injury though." Mom says quickly after.

"Mom it's a scar now. I'm fine." I touch my scar a little self conscious of how I look with it.

"Fine. You both need a date-"

"Done." Matteo and I say in unison.

No one is surprised by me but all of us turn to look at Matteo. Matteo blushes and runs the back of his neck.

"Uh, I can find a date easily." he shrugs us off.

"Has this date happened to climb through your window multiple times?" I ask.

"Ivory! But yes it's the same girl I've been seeing for a month or so now."

"Matteo you know you can't bring outside girls into the mafia." Dad says sternly.

"To late. She found my guns and was threatening to call the cops on me. That's kind of how it all started." Matteo smiles at the memory.

"Aww. Matteo's got a big crush." I laugh at him.

Matteo glares at me.

"It's tonight in... one hour. So go get ready. Ivory I have a dress for you."

Mom gives me a beautiful black dress. Tight on the top and loose on the bottom. A slit on the leg. I hug Mom and quickly rush to get ready.

I call Shay, "Shay?"

"What's up?"

"I have a ball to go to tonight. I need a date and my second in command there with me."

"Well I'll get ready. What color is your dress?"

"Black."

"Easy enough. I will meet you at your house asap."

I hang up and finish getting ready. By the time I am done getting ready it is time to leave. With my 4 inch
heels on I am now 5'8. Only about 6 inches shorter than Shay now. I think he's around 6'2.

"Ivory! Let's go!" Matteo shouts up the steps at me.

"Coming!" I slip on some lip gloss, check my reflection in the mirror, and run down stairs. "Sorry I was just finishing getting ready."

I adjust my dress, "You look beautiful." Mom smiles at me.

"Took you long enough." Matteo murmurs.

I finally look up at everyone. Shays mouth is wide open, gaping at me. Dad is glaring at him.

Shay comes to his senses, "You look stunning, Ivy."

I smile and blush, "Thank you. You don't look to bad yourself."

Matteo takes my arm, "As your brother it is my responsibility that I make sure you are with a good guy. So Shay?"

"Wh-" Shay is cut off by a knife flying at his face. He dodges it last second. "What the hell Matteo!"

"Okay he passed you can keep him." I don't know whether to laugh or be mad at Matteo.

"I have to pick up my date. I'll meet you at the ball." Matteo leaves us all in shock.

"Well that just happened." Mom breaks the silence.

***

We all meet in front of the entrance to the ball room. Dad takes Moms arm and walks in. Matteo with his date walks in behind them. Last is Shay and I. We are what's going to shock everyone because everyone expects to see Angelina. Instead they get me. I take a deep breath, hook my arm through Shays, and walk in.

"Don't be nervous. You got this." Shay whispers in my ear. I look at him and I can tell he is nervous too.

"I could say the same to you." He smiles weakly at me.

Finally we walk in. Everyone is already staring at the entrance waiting for us. Once we step in the whole ballroom erupts in whispers and murmurs.

"Oldest daughter-"

"Angelina-"

"Why the younger one?"

I only catch little bits of conversations as I walk by. I confidently walk with Shay to my family.

"Okay we are going to introduce you do a couple people you should know. I'll take Matteo and his date. Mom will take Shay and Ivy."

Mom ushers Shay and I away from the crowd, "Okay so your Dad doesn't know this but I only have one person you need to meet. I don't have many allie mafias."

"That's okay I don't want to spend the whole time talking anyway."

The one person we have to meet is an older guy. He is nice but didn't talk much. We introduced ourselves and talked about his mafia but that was it.

"Alright you guys are free to do what you like. Don't get into trouble." Mom warns us and then walk off to Dad. Probably afraid after being away for even that little amount of time.

"Care for a dance?" Shay offers his hand to me.

I put my hand in his and we walk to the dance floor. We spin around sound after song talking and laughing. After about our third or fourth song someone cuts in, "May I steal a dance?" a young boy that look about Shays age maybe older asks.

"No." Shay glares at the boy.

"Shay, he can have one dance. We aren't here to make enamors remember?" I give Shay a meaningful look and he gives in.

"Fine one dance."

"Thank you." The boy says.

He takes my hand and puts his other hand on my back, a respectable distance from my waist and butt.

"So, what's your name?" I ask curious.

"I am Leo. What is your name?"

"Ivory Lombardi."

"Well Ivory Lombardi, was that your second in command?"

"Second in command and boyfriend." I warn him.

"Ah what a lucky guy he is." I eye Leo suspiciously.

"No, I am the lucky one." I look over at Shay who is shooting daggers at Leo.

"You know, I think I would be a better second in command," Leo says and his hand lowers just a little, "I would be able to protect you and fulfill your needs." He whispers in my ear and lowers his hand so it sits on my butt.

I grab his wrist to move his hand away from my butt but he doesn't budge.

"Move your hand. Now." I see Shay move towards us out of the corner of my eye.

"But you know you like it. I bet your boyfriend wouldn't feel as good as me. I bet he doesn't touch you like I do."

"No he doesn't because I don't want him to." I say sternly. "Now remove your hand from my butt or I will remove your hand from your body."

Leo chuckles darkly.

I try to shove him hug he doesn't budge.

"Hands off now." Shay is right next to me.

"We are just dancing. Calm down." Leo says.

I grab my knife out of my thigh holster and put it against his wrist. "I don't want to do this but I will if you don't remove yourself from me now."

Leo just chuckles.