The Underbosses Chef [M/M]

46 - Forty - Six - Matteo Concetta's Point Of View.

Caio wasn't in bed when I finally woke up, and his gun case was out. My stomach sank, and I bolted out of the bed. Panic filling my very bones. Lukas was at the kitchen table, a coffee in his hands.

"I told him to wake you, but he didn't want you to lose sleep worrying about him."

"Where did he go?"

"Your brother sent them to take out the problems."

"No! I should have known something was wrong when they stopped whispering when I came into the room." I yelled.

"Matteo, I know how you're feeling right now, but please relax a little. Caio is in expert hands. There's an entire team of them. Alexi and Creed, Lev, Jackson, Cade, your dad and Ilya, and let's not forget, my lover is out there too."

"They should have told me!" I hissed, anger filling me, but not enough to overpower the fear I felt for Caio. "Do you know where I can find Alessio?"

"Alessio and Maddox are in the command room. But Alessio said you're not welcome unless you're going to keep your hands to yourself." Lukas said, sipping his coffee.

"Where's Gabe?"

"Playing with Emerson, and Zev's kids, at Maddox's."

I nodded.

"Why?"

"You're here, and he's not. Andrei's working, so I just wondered." I muttered, while making a cup of coffee, the same way Caio liked. And going to sit at the table.

"Matteo, Caio will be home soon."

"I know. I worry about him, but I also worry about everyone else. They are all putting their lives on the line to protect mine."

"Wrong. Alessio and Maddox never force anyone to go. Everyone who is helping offered too, Matteo."

I nodded. A bad feeling making home in my chest. "I'm worried about Ilya."

"Vito won't let anything happen to Ilya. He was taking special care of him this morning. He made sure Ilya was completely safe."

"Good. And Lev, Alexi and Creed? They were safe, yes?"

"They all have all the safety equipment on. They are as safe as they can get."

"Good. That makes me feel a little better." I muttered.

I made Lukas and I breakfast after drinking back the entire cup of coffee, and chewing back two pain killers for my aching hips.

"Next time, I just want him to wake me up." I muttered. Lukas smiled tightly. "I'd say you get used to it, but I haven't. I've been around for a while now. I still hate when Andrei leaves."

"You saw him hurt, though. So I get it. I've never seen Caio less than normal."

"The first time is the worst. More so if it's as bad as Andrei was," Lukas hummed.

"I'm going to jog quickly to the command room and see how the situation is progressing. I'll be back in a few minutes. You're welcome to stay." I said.

"Thanks for the offer, but I have a couple of loads of laundry to do. I promised Andrei I would get them done." Lukas laughed, standing up.

"Just set the dishes in the sink. I'll wash them later when I come back."

"Are you sure?"

"Oh, absolutely. I'll need something to occupy my hands with, so I don't choke Caio for leaving without letting me know. Again."

"Ah." Lukas said, putting his shoes on. "Don't cause problems, Matteo. And for the love of god, don't throw those plates at the man."

Lukas left, and I sighed. I knew why Caio didn't wake me up to tell me. He didn't trust me not to force my way into the mission with them. That was the entire reason he let me sleep. As long as he returned without injury and with some news, I could overlook most of the bullshit. Getting changed into a more comfortable pair of sweatpants and one of Caio's sweaters, I headed to see Alessio.