The Underbosses Chef [M/M]

44 - Forty - Four - Matteo Concetta's Point Of View.

Laying on my back, on the couch. I was still annoyed about Ilya and his willing behaviour to get hurt. Last night, I saw a different side of him too. I didn't want him to get hurt, and I didn't want him going, but I understood he wanted to feel helpful and human again. Caio was in his office doing work. I could hear him talking. They were discussing plans, and also other things.

Ilya was busy with Vito's training, and Caio was busy with work, and I was bored. Getting off the couch, I went to the bathroom and looked at myself in the mirror. I studied myself, looking for anything on me that screamed Vito. But all I could see was my grandfather. Sighing, I pulled my hand through my hair and left the bathroom. Caio was leaving the office when I walked by.

He pulled me against him. "You look discontent."

"I am. I'm bored. Ilya is busy. You're working, and I don't have one I can see."

"When was the last time you saw Gabe?" Caio asked, and I felt guilty.

"A while." I muttered.

"Go see your brother, Matteo."

"I still feel guilty about mom abandoning him."

"You're not to blame for that, and you know it."

"Yeah, I do. But when I look at him, I feel responsible."

"Alessio said he's doing real good with Lukas and Andrei, and seeing them will do you some good, too."

"Probably." I muttered.

"I'll meet you over there in a bit. I just have some shit to finish for your brother."

"Alright."

Caio kissed my head before I looked up at him. "Kiss me right, Caio."

He chuckled and pressed his lips to mine. He pulled away before shoving me towards the door. "Go, do something with your brother."

Slipping on flip-flops Alessio brought over for me at some point, making sure I had my phone, I messaged Lukas. He was quick to get back to me. He was working, but Andrei was home with Gabe, and I could head over. He would let Andrei know. The walk over was ok, it felt nice to be outside. Heading into the Vincent complex, I walked down the hall towards Andrei and Lukas' wing. Picking up on the smell of fresh-baked cookies. Using my phone to let me in, I kicked off my shoes in the doorway and took a deep breath. Andrei's homemade cookies.

"Hello?" I said.

"Matteo! Time for cookies." Gabe said, running towards me from the kitchen. Stopping at the closet and did not come any closer. Andrei looked down the hall and Gabe turned back, pointing to a piece of coloured tape on the floor.

"I stopped. See."

"Good job Gabe. I'm proud of you." Andrei said, ruffling his hair when we walked back into the kitchen. He turned to look at me, crossing his arms. "Come here, not my brat."

"Why?" I said, raising an eyebrow at him, but still coming over. He pulled me into a hug and when he let go, he ruffled my hair, too.

"Gross, fatherly love." I whined, fixing my hair.

"Please, the lot of you could use it."

"You have two other children you could smother with that." I groaned.

"Alessio whines like you do, and Gabe likes Lukas best."

"What about Alexi? Or Nikki?"

Andrei clicked his tongue at me. "Pulling out all the 'on loan' children, huh?"

"Community dad." I said, snickering.

"Hey, that's a title I will wear with pride." Andrei chuckled. "Speaking of titles and fathers. How are things going with your other father, Vito?"