MATTEO (book 2)

34. MATTEO ⚡️

It's been a week since I seen Xena last. Dad told Hamada about my overdose and Hamada said not to let me back until I'm a week sober.

So here I am.

A week sober.

Dads been staying with me and it's helping. I don't drink. But i've started the whole withdrawal process.

I went to the doctors and they said if I carry on at the rate I'm going, my liver will fail and I will need a transplant. But if I stop and get help now, I won't.

So I'm trying to stop.

I walk into the house and Xena's eyes drop to me right away. There was a child on her back. She looked different, her natural hair was in braids tight on her scalp.

She puts the child down and says something to her, then walks over to me.

One thing about this that I don't like is how easily irritated I am.

"Hey, are you-"

"I'm fine. Don't mention it again." I clear my throat. "What's going on?"

She looked shocked for a second and then just updates me on everything.

This weekend, I'm flying to Brazil with my men and my parents. We've been watching the house and a woman goes in and out three times a day with food. Stays for an hour, leaves, comes back for night time, leaves in the morning.

It's the middle of the month so I know they won't be leaving to see Neves at all.

Then, the Monday afterward. I've called Oleg and said I would like her then. I've paid 4 prostitues to take his place and each of them, if they return, will be given money and a place to stay, as well as a job that pays well at one of the cafes.

During this time, I will help Neves escape. My warehouse will be full of men and it will be easy for her too. I'll take her Xena. Let her reconnect with her family and then bring the kids to her.

The only problem after that is Oleg targeting me.

I can say she ran, then when he goes on his way to kill the kids, they won't be there. All the problems will fall on me and I can either 1) Get Hamada to arrest us. Keep him in custody, let me go. 2) kill him on the spot.

But I'll decide that once I'm done.

"I can't attend that on the weekend." I look at the calendar. "I can get someone to take my place but-"

"Why not?"

"I'm doing something Friday night, Saturday, Sunday and Monday night. I won't be free till Tuesday."

She leans back. "That's okay. Can I take Antonio instead?"

"Yeah. Long as you let me leave you with a few things so he knows you're mine."

She smiles at thag a little bit. "Still? You ghosted me for a week."

"I ghosted everyone. I was sick, baby. Now don't talk about it again." I stand up.

She clears her throat. "I have a meeting with the feds later on so I won't be here. We don't really need you-" She stops talking. "Not like that. Like, if you wanna rest and go home and-"

I shut her up by kissing her, not caring that there was people in the room who definitely stopped to watch.

She pulls away. "Yeah."

"What time will you be home?"

"I... not... I'm not sure." Her cheeks start to flush. "You just kissed me in front of everyone."