Hopelessly Devoted

Chapter 27: Some Like It Hot - Pt. I

Matvei sped down I-35 highly irritated. He was aware of the threat to the Romanians. He knew the gang well. Well enough to know that killing the members in question would take at most two hours. Two and a half tops.

He wasn't aware that the enemies of the Romanian mafia family were in talks with the enemies of the Croatian mafia who also worked closely with the Melnik family. He should've been excited. Matvei should've been thrilled. He was going to be able to kill two birds with one stone, quite literally.

He should've been proud and ready to receive the praise from his uncle and cousins, but he wasn't. Matvei was very pissed instead. What would've taken two hours ended up taking most of the day, which meant he was not present to see his girl get dressed. He was not present to joke with her as she put on her make up and told him how handsome he was. He wasn't there for any of it and that was unacceptable. 

"I'm so far gone it's stupid." Matvei groaned. Things he would've never even considered a year ago were all he thought about now. A life he didn't think he'd be awarded since meeting Alyssa was finally in his grasp and he didn't know how to deal mostly.

As he thought of the text message conversation he had with Alyssa earlier he couldn't help but smile. She was upset and at first he thought it was due to the news that he wouldn't be back in time to take her to his family home. He realized that he hated many things and disappointing her was at the top of his list.

However, when he discovered the real reason for her upset feelings he couldn't help but laugh. Mikhail was an idiot. Intelligent. Savvy. Book smart. But a complete and total jackass at times. Matvei should've known something like this would happen. 

Mikhail had a knack for doing stupid things when he woke up feeling playful. Matvei refused to think of the many occasions that he had to save Mikhail from the consequences of his childishness.

Matvei skidded into his driveway sure to leave marks but he didn't care. He needed to hurry. It was bad enough that his uncles Misha and Markov were meeting Alyssa without him, but they were also doing so without Mikhail as well. That wouldn't look good and he knew it.

Matvei was showered and dressed in no time. He didn't even waste too much time admiring himself in his mirror. He knew he looked fine as fuck and just needed confirmation from Alyssa once he saw her. "Please don't let today be a shit show." Matvei muttered as he headed downstairs.

He heard his phone chime and sucked his teeth. There on the screen was a message from his baby cousin, Konstantin. "What the fuck does he want?" Matvei groaned before opening the text message.

Konstantin: Hello, cousin. I hope you're faring well today.

Matvei: Why the fuck are you talking like a British wanker?

Konstantin: LOL. I'm just checking in on my favorite cousin.

Matvei: I'm not your favorite. Jenna is. Now what do you want?

Konstantin: ...

Konstantin: A little birdie told me Alyssa was coming tonight. 

Matvei: That little birdie has a big mouth, but yes. And?

Konstantin: ...

Konstantin: Nothing. I just think tonight will be one to remember. See you soon, dvoyurodnyy brat (cousin).

Matvei scrunched his eyebrows. Konstantin was like Mikhail in a lot of ways. Stupid and nosey. They both shared a knack for butting in when completely unnecessary.

Matvei: Get off my phone, dumbass. Make sure you are at the house before I get there. None of this fashionably late bullshit you always pull. I'm hungry and will sic Winter on you.