Matteo

ℂ𝕙𝕒𝕡𝕥𝕖𝕣 11.

The look on Aria's sweet face, instantly made Matteo regret his sudden outburst of anger. Her beautiful dark eyes, the one that had haunted him all night, were staying right now at him with fear. Right at that moment Matteo realised how unaware Aria was of everything that happened in the mafia world.She was so pure he felt ashamed for scaring her, for yelling at her. But the red-hair beauty left no option.

The thing she was going to do would end up causing more trouble than good. And just like that the anger was back and so was the irritating headache. Disappointed in Aria's poor decision he walked back to his car that was parked at the end of the alley. Frank, his driver stood there patiently waiting for him. Upon noticing the arrival of his boss, he rushed to open the passenger side door for Matteo.

"Office." Matteo orders him as he slides into the back seat of his car, closing his eye shut.

"Yes, Boss." Frank, his dutiful driver rushes back to the front door.

Matteo exhaled a noisy frustration breath as he pinched the bridge of his nose using his thumb and index finger. He was clearly trying his best to stop the throbbing headache from worsening. Last night he had barely go some sleep when the mafia princess called him, informing him that she was going to take matter in her own hand. Annoyed and worried that Aria would ruin his life long plan of becoming the mob Boss, he rushed to his office. After discussing all the possible outcomes, he decided to keep his little vixen under surveillance until the wedding.

But soon his plan were wrecked when he received a phone call from his mother informing him that his future-wife and she was heading downtown for wedding dress shopping.

Displeased with the option Aria took, he rushed to the plaza they planned to meet and discreetly waited for his princess to make a move. As anticipated the red-hair beauty tried to run, ignoring the fact that she was under Cortiano's watch. Just thinking about how reckless she has been boiled his blood once again. He groans in frustration as a migraine starts getting worse.

"Here Boss," Leo said from beside him as he handed him two pills. Knowing exactly what Leo gave him, Matteo kept his eyes closed as he swallowed them quickly.Anything to stop a headache.

Matteo met Leo at one of the underground fights that took place every Saturday night. It was supposed to be a small match between the new guy vs the undergrounds undefeated champion - X. It was a place were most of the mafia members, associates and soldier came to release their pent-up anger. But the moment Matteo saw Leo enter the cage, he knew he was a lethal weapon. Although X was twice Leo's size but Matteo knew exactly who was going to win the match.

Leo's fierce eyes were dark, they were haunted and hiding a painful past, but Matteo who was used to all that saw right through them. The devil behind the curtain, the monster was ready to kill. Once the fight started Leo moved around the cage like a pro-fighter, light on his feet and quick as a fox. He knocked X in record time earning not only Matteo's respect but also the entire rooms.

Knowing exactly what to offer the quite monster, Matteo wasted no time in recruiting him as one of his associates. Although Leo started at the bottom of the food chain, he made his way up quick.Earning his worth and trust in Matteo's crew. And soon he became one of Matteo's best enforcer.

Whilst a lot of the mafia gangs tired to propose him a higher position in their circle. But Leo didn't even flutter a bit; he remained loyal to Matteo, gaining even more of his respect. Becoming one of Matteo's most trusted soldier and his best enforcer, who fought brutally all the way till the end.

"That bad? Huh?!" Leo said as he handed Matteo a bottle of freezing cold water which he took, welcoming the numbing sensation that followed after it.

"Don't even ask." Matteo answered as he reluctantly opened his irritated eyes. "Did you check the area?"

"Yes, Boss. There we two suspicious guys luring in the front and one in the back. The soldiers took care of them."

Matteo sighed as he unconsciously rubbed his hand over his forehead. He knew no one in the city of Florence had the guts to attack the Cortiano or Massello's woman. But that didn't mean he would let his guard down. So many didn't play it fair and thought involving the innocent one's was fun. A lot of the new small group did that. But what they didn't know was Matteo was always two steps ahead of them.

"As you requested all the invites are out Boss." Leo updated him about the wedding card invites.

Matteo nodded his head in acknowledgement as he turned around to glance outside the window at the passing city. A city, a home he had worked so hard to call his. He protected the people of Florence City just like he protected the people he loved and cared for and Aria was no different.

"We need to up Aria's security team Leo," Matteo informed Leo after thinking about it very carefully. "I want you to be her bodyguard." He knew Leo wouldn't like the idea of shadowing someone else beside the boss. He was a beast only Matteo knew how to tame but after what happened today he wasn't taking any chance with her. Aria might be a mafia princess, but she still had no idea what the dark world was capable of doing to her if she was not protected all time.

"Boss with all due respect, I think I should stay with you. My team is perfectly trained and they are all capable of protecting Mrs.Cortiano." Even though Leo knew exactly what Matteo was going to say, but he still decided to express his concerns. He had solely worked with Matteo and Matteo only. He barely ever guarded Robert or any other member of the Cortiano family. He was used to Matteo's pattern. So when Matteo suggested the change, all his instincts went on high alert. He didn't like change, it takes him month or even years to get use to it. It was something he revealed to Matteo when he first got hired.

"I know Leo you don't like change. But until things settle down or until I find someone I can trust, like I trust you. I need you to protect Aria." Matteo's glanced at him knowing too well why he was opposing a direct order from him. But he wasn't backing down, not when it came to her.

Although Matteo belonged to one of the most powerful mafia families, he had dealt with his share of crack people. His reputation on the street was still the brutal underboss who would merciless slice through his enemies neck, an amazing enforcer and a loyal business-man. But that didn't mean amateurs or newbie in the mafia world didn't try to attack him now and then. Everyone was out there to prove that they were better than the other. To attack on the weak and fragile one. Always looking for a weak-spot. And knowing his little vixen, he knew she would cause more trouble in the near future. He can't worry about her safety all the time while he was out there proving his worth as the new mob boss in the city.

Matteo needed all his time and focus to be on his new position, the Boss of the entire Cortiano family. His responsibilities and workload will significantly increase, and so would his enemies list. He trusted Leo with his life and only Leo was capable to protect his fireball in his absences.

Suddenly Matteo's phone started ringing with an incoming call, stopping the discussion which according to Matteo was already over. He had already given an order, and Leo was bound to follow it.

Matteo pulled his phone out from his jacket, glancing down at the number - VALENTINO. His tensed face relaxed a bit as he swiped his finger across the screen accepting the call.

"To what do I owe the pleasure?" Matteo asked in an excited tone. He was happy to receive a phone call from one of his good friend. He had selective people he enjoyed company off and Valentino was one of them.

Matteo met Valentino Bianchi at one of the famous Las Vegas Casino. They both ran in the same circle and were surprised they had never met before.

Valentino laughed loudly, excited to hear Matteo's voice too. "I just received the invite. It looks like congratulations are in order for the new groom in town."Hearing the reason Matteo let loose a small chuckle.

"Oh yeah, thank you so much Val. I hope you attend the ceremony."

"Of course, I wouldn't miss it for anything, Matteo." Valentino replied as he accepted Matteo's invite.

They spoke for few minutes, catching each other up about their busy lives before ending the call. Content with the call Matteo slide back phone into his jacket as he glanced out the window.The traffic was bad at this time of the day, but he was enjoying the quiet time. His puzzled mind was relaxing now, thinking of a new plan to keep Aria under control. He just needed her to behave until the wedding, until he becomes the Don. After that he will handle the mess.

*******************

THE NEXT DAY.

It was during the lunch hours when Matteo received a phone call from his darling mother, Rose. He barely ate when he was at work, always too occupied. And just like every day he had skipped the lunch to finish up some work.

"Yes, Maa." He answered the phone call with a rare smile.

"Matteo dear, I hope I am not disturbing you." Rose's soft voice replied.

"Never, Maa." He said as he carefully placed the cap back on of one of his favourite fountain pen - a gift from his beautiful sister Angela and then moved his chair back to take a break from all the paperwork that was spread out in front of him. 

Matteo stood as he stretched his legs and walked over to the floor to ceiling windows of his office, overlooking the entire Florence City. Just in two days he will be the Boss of this entire business - one he worked so hard to build and will do anything to protect. 

"Oh in that case did you eat anything for lunch?" Rose questions her son knowing too well what the answer was going to be. Matteo either ate energy bars when he got hungry or instant microwave meals.

"Maa, I am not hungry now. But I will eat soon. I promise you."

"Oh I know you will Matteo. I just booked a table for two under your name at the 'Steak House'. The reservation is at three, so make sure you get there on time."

Matteo sigh instantly realizing he just fell right into his darling mother's trap. "Maa, you didn't have to do that. I would have grabbed something on my way home."Matteo tired even when he knew it was a lost cause. "Plus why two? Are you joining me??" He asked knowing too well who will be joining him at lunch.

"Oh don't be silly dear. I am busy with the wedding preparation." There was a hint of happiness in Rose's voice which was clearly audible to Matteo.

"Aria will be joining you for lunch. You two haven't picked your wedding rings. So I thought this way you could both step out, take a break from work and have a lunch date. This way you would get two things sorted at one time." Rose sounded too proud of her plan that Matteo didn't have the heart to tell her no. Sighing silently he agreed to his mother's request and promised to call Aria and pick her up for their lunch date. 

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"You are my responsibility Princess."

- Matteo Cortiano