Tainted

Coincidence

Mateo hadn't spoken to Capri since their last encounter.

She had uttered the only three words he'd been wanting to desperately hear and now she was ignoring his presence all together.

He had allowed her to fall asleep once she said it, staring down at her in shock as she laid restless.

Mateo wanted to hug and kiss her all over but he opted to leave it for the next morning, unfortunately the next morning she had left early than usual to the shop, leaving him alone in her apartment.

Three days had passed.

"You're out of your mind, no one is gonna accept Carlo as Don".

Mateo sighed in irritation at Tony's negative response, he was hoping for some encouragement.

"He's not the same man he was".

Tony scoffed.

"You know damn well it's not about him being who he was before, it's the opposite. It's about the fact that everyone is gonna think he's too fucked up to take on the role of Don after being kidnapped and tortured for five fucking years, no one comes out normal after going through shit like that".

Mateo ran a hand through his hair in frustration, he promised Capri.

"Well he obviously thinks he's good enough if he's willing to challenge my title".

Tony stood from the chair, shaking his head in the process before crossing his arms.

"Look Mateo, either Capri accepts you for who you are as a Russo or she can stay away and continue living in the shadows under your protection and never step up".

Mateo could tell Tony was becoming annoyed with her, she wanted him but not all of him.

Though there wasn't a selfish bone in her body, she was only protecting what she could of herself, unfortunately her desire would take complete control every time she was in Mateo's presence.

"The only way Carlo would ever be respected as Don is if he did something heartless in the eyes of the others, something to install fear in them, obviously that will prove that he really is fucked up, but in a good way".

Tony made his way towards the office door, turning towards Mateo before stepping out.

"Tatiana and I are having a small get together with the family this weekend, why don't you invite Capri".

Mateo stayed silent in thought as he watched his best friend leave the room.

Tony was right, he would have to speak with Carlo.

He sighed heavily to himself as he sat there alone, silence engulfing the room while his thoughts ran wild.

A knock resounded from the door.

"Come in".

Marcella stepped in meekly.

She looked quite unkempt, something that took Mateo by surprise as he noticed her state.

"I have received the divorce papers from your lawyer".

He stayed quiet.

"Have you got nothing to say to me"?

"I don't Marcella, I love Capri and I'm not sorry".

"Does she love you"?

Her question caught him off guard, he could say yes as she had confessed three nights ago but one thing were her words and another were her actions.