The Underbosses Chef [M/M]

20 - Twenty - Matteo Concetta's Point Of View.

Caio went to bed shortly after we got back to the complex and I couldn't sleep. I could hear him sleeping from the couch in the living room where I was currently laying, in hopes I might pass out. He had not welcomed me into his bed with him, which was why I didn't sneak in there and snuggle against him. I stretched out and hit the side table and the lamp fell to the floor and shattered before I could stop it. Pure panic flooded me and everything in me told me to throw myself over the back of the couch. I was so close to being over the back of the couch when I was yanked back onto the couch.

"Just what the hell are you doing?" Caio hissed, clearly annoyed at being woken up.

"Umm... I was just laying here, and I hit the lamp with the boot and—--"

"Why the fuck are you not in bed, Matteo?"

"I wasn't tired."

Caio went and got the broom, unplugged the lamp and set the broom against the couch and pointed at his bedroom. "Get in there, and go the fuck to sleep Matteo, its two in the fucking morning."

Not feeling comfortable testing Caio's crankiness, I bolted for the bedroom, and all but yanked the boot off and crawled into the bed after peeling off my sweatpants and sweater. Dropping them on the floor.

Caio joined me a few minutes later, and he didn't say a word as he got in the bed. He didn't even put the pillow between us, not that I respected that when I was sleeping, anyway. He was out a few minutes later, or so I thought he was. When I moved to roll over, he spoke and scared the crap out of me in the pitch black.

"Get out of this bed, and you will regret it, Matteo."

"I wasn't, I swear. I was just rolling over, that's all."

"Just go to sleep, Matteo." He groaned.

When I knew for sure that he was sleeping, I moved closer to him and closed my eyes. I have no clue how long I laid there until I fell asleep, but I knew the moment that Caio woke up. He moved and tried to replace whatever part of him I was using with his pillow, but I was awake.

I groaned.

"Sorry, go back to sleep. Alessio needs me. There's been an accident."

I closed my eyes, only to process his words, and sat right up.

"What? What happened?"

I tossed my pants back on and looked at the time as I shoved my phone into my pocket. Five in the fucking morning. I jammed the boot back on, as Caio finished pulling his vest on.

"I'm coming too, Caio."

"No, you're not, Matteo. You can help your brother, but you can't help me right now. You have a broken foot."

"Caio please!" I said, following him out of the wing. Caio went to Alessio's office and Lev, Vito and Luca were inside with my brother. The three of them sported vests as well.

"I've brought your brother, Alessio. He can lend a hand with you—--"

"Alessio, clear me for duty. Let me help." I said flatly and Alessio denied me.

"Sorry, I can't. Your foot is still broken."

Mad, I sat down in one of the chairs as Alessio briefed them on what they were doing and I heard something about one of their bars being raided by a gang.

"Alessio, let me help."

"No, Matteo, and that is final!" He yelled at me, his temper flaring.

Lack of sleep, annoyance with my mother, and this boot, had my temper flaring. Leaning across the desk, I threatened Alessio. "Caio comes back with even one scratch because you refused to let me help, and I'll make what you did to my foot look like a love tap, Alessio."