MATTEO (book 2)

1. MATTEO

"You reek of alcohol, Matty." Ilaria sits beside me, grabbing the bottle off me. "What's going on?"

"I just wanted to drink." I go to snatch it back off her but she tips everything out.

I sigh, looking away.

"Come on. Dad needs you for-"

"He can wait."

"He can't." She pinches my arm. "Come on."

I stand up, walking over the log and toward my car. She snatched my keys off me and gets in the driving seat. "I'm not drunk, Ari."

"I just want to drive the Jeep."

I knew she didn't believe me, but I let her drive anyway. I can't be bothered to argue.

She drives us to the warehouse silently and when we get out, a bunch of people walk in.

Ilaria loved all the men's attention on her, but she stands silently with Romeo and doesn't pay a piece of mind to any of them.

"What's going on?" I ask Romeo.

"Got something for us." He answers, looking down at his phone.

Dad makes his way throughout the crowd and people settle when they see him. He clears his throat but turns to me. "You're drinking?"

"I had one drink." I roll my eyes.

"You stench of beer, Matty."

"Get on with you message, papa."

He gives me worried eyes but turns to look at the crowd.

He needs to assemble a team for China.

Romeo walks out of the room quickly after he hears that. It won't be him. He's a blonde, blue eyes, 6"4 man. And he looks identical to Roman. He would stick out like a sore thumb.

Leaves me and Ilaria.

"I'm helping Keilani in Chicago." Ilaria says, "training the girls."

Great.

It leaves me.

I sigh.

I haven't been to China in 4 years. I was 17 the last time I went. I've changed significantly since then.

"Sorry, Matty." Dad clasps my shoulder.

"Fun."

"Choose your team, son. Preferably those who fit in. Need a second, a tech, a-"

"I know what I need." I look around. I pick out who I want.

"When are we leaving, sir?" One of the younger ones asks.

"Tomorrow morning." Dad looks back at me. "Okay, everyone else pack your bags. You, with me." He points.

I follow him to his office. He opens the mini fridge to give me some water. "Matty if you don't feel up to it-

"I'm fine."

"You look like shit and smell like alcohol. What's going on?"

I rub my face. "Nothing. I need a break, let me do this. What's going on?"

"Trafficking circle." He sits at his desk. "Ciro will be with you."

"What girl in particular?"

"Your cousin, Bella."

I look up. "Does Nicolas know?"

"No. She's being sold high up. You need to act as a buyer. No one knows what you look like."