Ties of Blood (Book One)

Chapter 5 ~ Matteo

Matteo Moretti

I fucking hated parties. I had no intentions of doing anything but working tonight but my father had other plans calling me late last night telling me he organized the opening of the new building to be tonight and the party would be hosted inside it for celebration purposes.

The building of my new art gallery. Working in the mafia you got a lot of money and heavy amounts of gold imported to you and to avoid any suspicion i suggested that we built that company as not only another form of income but also as a way to avoid attention in places it wasn't needed.

Luckily, I was able to reschedule the meetings i had made on such short notice without anyone bitching or complaining. The only downside was that I had to bring Gianna for, in my fathers words 'public purposes', which to me translated to 'arm candy'.

I was waiting for Gianna outside the main door as planned, however it was 6:59PM and she still wasn't out. I had specifically told her, 7PM. She had exactly 30 seconds to get her ass here or I would drag her out myself.

Just then, I saw a figure push open the doors, she was in the dress I had gotten her, fitting her like it was made for her, which it was. White heels and a small clutch she held closely to her side. When she saw me she walked down the stairs and stood in front me.

"You took your time, amore." I mumble, glancing down at my watch.

7:00PM

"Well, thanks to your early notice, I got home late and wasn't able to change and do my make up fast enough." she says, a mixture of sarcasm and frustration etched in her voice.

I sigh and turn around, opening the door for her to get in the black McLaren parked in front of us. She slid in to the passenger seat with ease and I shut the door behind her and I got into the drivers seat.

"Where are we going?" She asks, leaning her head back on the head rest and turning her head slightly.

"A party." I answer.

She nodded in response. 

The ride there was short and silent. After our small interaction Gianna didn't talk to me and I didn't talk to her, I didnt have anything to say after I already did her a favour by telling her where we were going.

Arriving at the venue, the place was full of people of status, either businessmen or billionaires.

Gianna somehow knew what she was doing and navigated her way to the bar while I spoke to business associates.

"Matteo Moretti?!" An obnoxious voice called behind me.

I stiffened at the sound of the bastards voice.

For fucks sake. This event was supposed to be for people with an IQ higher than a box of crayons, why the fuck was he here?

I turn around to see none other than Landon fucking Malcom.

"Evening." I say dryly, shoving a hand in my pocket and lifting my glass of whiskey to my lips for a small sip. I was going to need it.

"You're engaged now? Before me? Shocking!" He laughs, the ugliest laugh I've heard in my life. I took all my willpower not to grab a stapler and do everyone in the room a favour.