Ties of Blood (Book One)

Chapter 28 ~ Matteo

Matteo Moretti

Venice were better than I had expected and Gianna seemed to like it too. But I couldn't help but feel guilty every time she thanked me or kissed me knowing what I was doing to her.

"Do you still have work?" Gianna looks back at me with twinkling eyes, the same ones she'd looked at me with in Venice and my heart pounding was still the same effect.

As much as I'd love to say no, I had some meetings that I couldn't push away even if I wanted to.

"Yes, but I'll be done in an hour or so," I say back to her.

She nods, "That's fine, I'll see you after?"

"I'll come find you." I reply.

She leans up and presses a small kiss to my lips which makes my heart flutter once again, but before she could leave I take her hand I pull her into another kiss, this one more desperate than all the other ones.

I kissed like it was that last time I would, because every time, it just might be. My hands gripped her waist, she immediately matched my energy, tangling her fingers in my hair. The moment was so unexpected but right, when we pulled away and the rest of the world came back info focus, she spoke.

"What was that for?" She asked me, pulling away with a pink hue hugging her cheeks.

"Nothing, just you." I say softly, when the fuck did I get so corny but Gianna made me a part of myself I didn't know I had.

She smiled and skipped off to her room.

I retreated to my study, sank into my seat, the feeling familiar yet I couldn't wait to get rid of it and hold Gianna again. Emails, emails, scheduled meeting for the 13th...I fly through my work, throughly enough but 30 minutes later the door opens.

My mood immediately deteriorated from mildly happy to annoyed within seconds. It was crazy what a persons presence could do to a room. 

I made a mental note to tell security not to let him in my house anymore.

"I assume you want something," I say, Lorenzo looked shocked to see that I was in my study.

"You came here for what?" I ask, unamused at his sorry attempt at a joke.

He raised an eyebrow at me, "Well, you seem down-er," he snorts out a laugh and sinks into the seat in front of me, "I found our guy, Marco! Can you believe it?"

Marco.

I was surprised, he seemed loyal enough but then again, greed and jealousy could consume even the most unlikely of people. I was supposed to be elated, i could finally get rid of Gianna. I could have my house back, my solitude. 

But strangely, all I felt was, emptiness.

"Hardly," I say, dryly, my eyes still haven't left my computer.

"Yeah, I know, I beat him up a bit but I figured I'd leave the killing to you, I know you'd want to have a go at him." He chuckled and I was yet to find out what was so funny.

"Now that he's out of the way, you and Gianna can be done now, and you can get back to whatever it is you were doing before that bitch showed up," he laughed again.

Hearing him, or anyone call Gianna a bitch made my blood boil.

"Don't call her a bitch." I say, my tone kept together and clipped.

My father looked slightly stunned by my reaction but he brushed it off quickly with a laugh it I sensed a slight shake in his voice, "So she's rubbed off on you, hm?"

I keep quiet, my jaw clenched so hard I thought my teeth would break.

"Gianna means nothing to you, correct?" He asks, to be honest, it was more of a statement than it was a question, trying to force the words into my mouth.

"Correct," I lied, I immediately cringe at my words, slipping out before I could stop them knowing damn well they weren't true. Why the fuck did I say that!

"Then why are you always with her, smiling nonetheless, I hardly see you smile,"

"She's good in bed, and it's a small price to pay," I say, my own words disgusting me.

"So why don't we hold onto her a bit longer, let's see what else we can get out of her Russian ass before we finally get rid of her." He laughs, like I was in on whatever sick joke he was planning.

And in that moment I was done with the conversation. My father's cold, calculating nature was nothing new, but the way he so casually suggested hurting Gianna in anyway made my blood boil. I stood up and stepped closer, my voice low and dangerous.

"Touch her, and I'll make sure you regret it," I warned, each word laced with venom.

He raised an eyebrow, genuinely surprised by my reaction. "Regret it? Since when do you care about regrets?"

"Since now," I replied, my eyes locked onto his.

He studied me for a moment, his eyes glaring into the deepest darkest depths of me, then gave a dismissive shrug. "Suit yourself, Matteo. Just remember, in this world, attachments are weaknesses."

My hand twitches towards the gun in the drawer close to me but instead I move to the door, push down the handle without breaking eye contact.

"You've overstayed your welcome, get the fuck out." I say through, clenched teeth.

Lorenzos gaze leaves mine and to the floor of my door, his sudden distraction startles me and my gaze goes to the floor too.

There sat a gift basket, loaded with chocolates and anything sweets splattered across the floor like someone had left in a hurry. However, it was what was written on the basket that made my heart stop.

'Love, Gia, thanks for Italy!❤️'

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck!

The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. I could only imagine what was running through her mind right now.

I glanced back at my father, who wore a smug expression, as if savoring the chaos he'd just caused. "Seems like you've got bigger problems now, son," he said, his tone dripping with mock concern.

I gritted my teeth, struggling to maintain control. "You have 5 fucking seconds to get out of my house." I repeated, my voice dangerously low.

He smirked but he didn't try me again, Lorenzo turned and walked out, leaving the door wide open behind him. As soon as he was gone, I bent down and picked up the basket. The sweet scent of chocolates wafted up, mixing with the bitterness in my chest. I crumpled the note in my fist, my mind racing.

I had to find Gianna, to explain and to try to fix this. But how could I? She had just heard me lie about her and dismiss her as 'good in bed'. Part of me wished that she had heard me defend her, not like that would do any good. My initial words were shitty enough to dismiss why kind of compliment i sent her way afterwards. 

I rushed out of the room, leaving the basket behind, my heart pounding. I had to find her before it was too late, before she did what I was dreading.

"Gianna! Gianna!" I called out her name, each second felt like hours.

My mind raced with what I would say. Apologies seemed meaningless, but I had to make her understand that what she'd heard wasn't the truth, at least not anymore.

~~~

Hi! I can't believe it! The secrets out! I feel so bad rn! 😢😢😭🙁