Ties of Blood (Book One)

Chapter 19 ~ Matteo

Matteo Morreti

I love you.

It was almost a week later and I was still thinking about it. The words echo throughout my head as she slowly drifts off to sleep, her eyes growing heavier and heavier.

She was so beautiful. Not appearance-wise although that was obvious to anyone who laid eyes on her. She was kind, smart, funny, stubborn. Fucking perfect.

I couldn't say it back, but I was lying to her, and I didn't want to tell her I loved her while I was lying to her. I would tell her the truth, soon.

It was no use anyways, a few months from now I would be dead to her.

I was a liar. I used to lie all the time, it came with ease, natural, but laying here, with her in my arms knowing I would be the reason for her heartbreak, was the worst feeling ever.

I wasn't worthy of her love.

I slowly unravel myself from the heat of her body, she stirs slightly but otherwise remains calm. It was another night, and we had fallen into a routine, if she had a shift she would go and if she didn't she would stay at home. At the end of the night, she would tell me about her day and I would tell her about mine. The non-violent pieces anyways.

I kiss her forehead and I swing my legs over the side of her bed and leave through the door closing it gently behind me carefully not to wake her.

I go to my study and sink into my chair I work silently for a few minutes, maybe thirty before I'm interrupted by the sound of my ringtone. Lorenzo.

The memories of our last conversation haunted me.

Nico was coming over, he got in trouble with the wrong kind of people, again. And needed protection, again. So he was staying here for around 2 weeks, just until everything blows over, again.

Nico was my little brother, 2 years younger than me to be exact, but you would think he was actually 2 years old.

Going out at night, drinking and partying was his usual. But gambling was something I never expected from the dumbass. He had a party life style, one that fit well with his ice hockey career. I had no idea how it wasn't plummeting to the ground with how many rumors there were about him.

Nico Moretti seen making out with priministers daughter?!

Nico Moretti seen flirting with a fan?! Where will this relationship go?!

Nowhere, knowing him.

I held the phone to my ear, "Speak, I'm busy." I say, in no way interested in his little game, if he wanted to give me an update on whether or not he had found the mole, he should get to the fucking point.

Lorenzo says from the other end, "Is Nico there or not?" he says, sensing my tone.

"Not, why?"

Nico was supposed to come over tonight but I was staying with Gianna, so I didn't check my phone to see the time.

"He was supposed to be there thirty minutes ago?" He mutters to himself, furiously.