The Underbosses Chef [M/M]

45 - Forty - Five - Matteo Concetta's Point Of View.

Ares was pulling my sweater sleeve and screaming at me when Caio came in. I sent him a look, begging him to save me.

"You promised to make me fly more. Again!"

"Ask Alessio. He is bigger and stronger." I complained.

"He grabs me by the ankles." Ares said, dropping his voice from a yell.

"Alright, just once more, but please let go of my sweater. It's not nice to pull on people's clothing." I mumbled.

He let go of my sweater and I grabbed him around the waist and spun around, letting him 'fly'. He was really loving it. When I set him down, he went back to playing with Gabe. Caio had come to liberate me from my family.

Alessio and Caio were having a hushed private conversation when I got into the kitchen, and it annoyed me. They stopped talking all together when they noticed me.

I knew well that they were keeping me out of the plans and conversations about the gangs. I hated not knowing, but there was little I could do. Alessio was protecting me. Lev made me jump by setting his hand on my shoulder, out of the blue.

"Little jumpy are you?" He laughed.

"I didn't even know you were right beside me."

"He's not keeping you out of the plans because he doesn't trust you. Matteo."

"I know. Alessio has to do everything for a reason, and he is in charge of a ton of other people's lives, too." I said, flatly.

"He is convinced you will sleep better at night if you're not actively involved in knowing how bad things could get."

"Lev, we both know that Alessio will hold back information from people if it means they don't have to worry, and I know that's what he is doing. I'm not foolish."

"Your brother is only trying to protect you."

"I know. That's why I haven't done anything really stupid yet. I remember what happened to him, how you two got close." I said, looking at Alessio and the ring on his finger. "My brother is better beside you, and I'm happy Alessio has you as his safe place, Lev."

"I would do anything for him, Matteo. For you too. You're my family too." Lev said.

"Thanks, that means a lot, Lev."

Caio was looking our way, and he smiled softly and it took my breath away. I was in love with this man.

"Caio?" I called him.

"Yes?"

"Ti amo." I said, and my brother choked on the cookie he had in his mouth. Caio's eyes were boring into me, and I wasn't sure what to say. He stood up and came over, grabbing my arm.

"Excuse us, I seem to have forgotten we have prior plans." Caio said as he yanked me out of Andrei's. Barely giving me enough time to put my flip-flops back on.

"Caio!"

"Bear with me until we get home, then tell me again."

"What?"

"Tell me you love me again, at home, where I can ravage you all over."

He yanked me inside the Concetta-Mihail complex and up to our wing, barely giving the door time to open. He was being terribly impatient.

He turned and pushed me up against the door, inside the wing. "Tell me again, Matteo."

"Ti amo..." (I love you.)

He pressed his lips to mine, and it was like he was trying to swallow my soul.

"Sei tutto per me." (You're everything to me.) Caio said.