CHAPTER 18 - RED
CHAPTER
Red
SITTING DOWNSTAIRS, I drag my fingers through my hair, but remembering Liam is due to arrive with an “important update” any second, I hastily smooth down the wayward mess on my head.
I can’t remember the last time I looked in the mirror. It’s probably best that I don’t.
My trademark of looking impeccable has fallen to the wayside, but it’s not like I’m out to impress anyone. Apart from one person. And she isn’t budging.
Even last night’s horrible nightmare wasn’t enough to tempt Arianna into wanting comfort. I’d have gladly supplied it, but she remained silent and unresponsive before slipping back to sleep.
I left her be, reminding myself that despite my desperation to put things back where they were heading between us before all of this happened, I should push for nothing. I have no right to ask or expect anything.
Not now.
Being blanked and despised by the only woman I’ve ever truly wanted is what I deserve. The hope that anything might make Arianna believe that the last thing I wanted to do was let her down fades further with each day.
But I can wait. I’ll wait forever if needs be. It’s all I can do because I’ll never want another. And if Arianna fails to reach a point where we can somehow put this right, then I’ll remain alone.
A harsh smirk drifts across my lips. It’s ironic that remaining alone was what I always strived for. But now...
Pulling my shirt cuff back, I glance at my watch. Liam’s late. Punctuality and order have always been important to me. Now, they’re all I’ve got.
Time is ticking, and Arianna’s nightmare underlines, if nothing else, that I need to move rapidly with hunting Matteo and Luca down. I should call Emiliano Galvatore. I did what he asked: allowed him time to speak with his cunt of a son, so he can tell me where that cunt of a son is hiding now.
Because he knows.
But if Liam’s “update” concerns Matteo’s location, then there’s no need to speak to that piece of shit father again.
With an abrupt rap on the front door, I haul myself to my feet. Standing guard in Arianna’s room the entire night has left me exhausted, but I wouldn’t sleep even if I had chance. I’ll remain awake for years to ensure no one takes her from me again.
Even if she no longer wants me, I’ll protect her whatever the cost. And I’ll do an impenetrable job of it this time.
“Finally!” Liam grunts as I open the front door. He looks me up and down. “Fuck me! You look like shit!” Walking into the hallway, he glances up the stairs and winks. “Been making up for lost time?”
“Shut the fuck up!” Kicking the front door shut, I stalk past my brother into the sitting room. Liam’s always been one for ill-timed wisecracks, but now really isn’t a good time.
Liam follows, his rugged features knitting with concern. “Is something wrong? How’s Arianna doing now?”
I wave away Liam’s questions and motion to the chair.
I still haven’t shared anything about her resentment towards me with anyone, and neither will I.
Not when I haven’t and won’t accept it myself.
“Just tell me about this update you have.” I only hope the important “news” he has is something to do with Matteo and Luca’s location because I need to kill them.
“This.” Liam fishes an envelope from his pocket as he sits down in the chair.
“That is your update?” I stare at the unremarkable envelope. “What about news on...”
“I think the note is from Matteo.”
I freeze. “What makes you think it’s from him?”
“One of our men at the Scorpio last night saw a car driving off and recognized the driver as Vezzozi. We all know he had connections to the Galvatores. It was only afterwards that the note was spotted.”
“Shit!” Tearing open the envelope, I pull out a note and card secured together with a paperclip. My eyebrows knit, my temperature rising. “What the fuck?”
Liam watches me scroll through a thousand emotions. “What is it?”
“Look at this!” I yank the paperclip off the invitation, freeing the note attached, before passing the card to Liam. “Read it.”
Leaving Liam staring at the invitation, his eyes widening with disbelief, I scan the accompanying handwritten note.
Rage erupts along my veins. “The piece of...”
“Are these lot taking the fucking piss?” Liam waves the invitation in the air. “I’ll fuckin...”
“There’s more. Read this one!” I quickly shove the note at my brother before I tear it into tiny pieces and scatter it out of the window so it ceases to exist. “What is rightfully ours to use will be reclaimed.”
My hands curl into fists.
Arianna is going nowhere.
“What the hell?” Liam gasps. “I thought Galvatore senior was with you in stopping this ‘pureblood’ shit?”
“So did I...” Snatching up my mobile, I disregard the importance of concealing my mobile number and dial Emiliano Galvatore. I’m past caring.
The call connects after the second ring. “Galvatore? It’s Bateman.” I click the loudspeaker button so Liam can hear.
“Ah, Mr Bateman! How nice to hear from you. How’s my daughter?”
I ignore his question. Galvatore lost his right to enquire about Arianna the day he sold her. “What is this bullshit about a wedding between Maria and Luca Bristoni?”
“How are you privy to that?”
I laugh coldly, despite amusement being the last thing on my mind. “Like you don’t know... Apparently, I’ve been invited but there won’t be a wedding. You said you didn’t agree with...”
“I don’t agree with untoward, strange breeding programs.”
Galvatore’s slimy voice seeps through the loudspeaker and makes my skin crawl. I shouldn’t have given this man leeway, no matter my stance on honor and word.
“Your ludicrous notions and accusations about my son were exactly that. Accusations!” he continues. “Your overemotional histrionics were for nothing, Mr Bateman. I’m satisfied that Matteo has done no wrong. You did, however, overstep somewhat by damaging his hand.”
“Is this joker having a fucking laugh or...”
I glare at Liam, immediately silencing him. “You cannot go ahead with this wedding, Galvatore,’ I seethe, unable to contain my fury. He’d retract his words if he saw this note from Matteo. But then again, would he? He was most likely present when the fucker wrote it!
I condemn myself once again for allowing my morals to rule my decisions. I should have just finished Matteo and shelved anything about word and honor. “Where are Matteo and Bristoni?”
There’s a deep chuckle down the line. “You think I’ll tell you that? Whatever agreement we had is over!”
“Tell me where your son and Luca Bristoni are! I know you know!” I roar. “And call off this fucking wedding! You said you’d...”
“I say a lot of things according to you, Mr Bateman - all of which you twist to suit yourself. You’re unhinged. The betrothal stands. Maria is valid political currency, as is your wife. Let’s not forget that. Now, I’ll thank you never to contact me again.”
My teeth cut into my lip. I taste blood.
“Where. Is. Matteo. And. Bristoni?” My clipped, staccato question elicits only a chuckle down the line, enraging me further.
“Don’t treat me like a cunt, Galvatore! I honored our agreement, now do your part!
Tell me where they are and stop the fucking wedding or. ..”
I throw my mobile across the room as Galvatore cuts off the call. It hits the fireplace surround but unfortunately remains intact.
“What the fuck do we do about this?” Liam eyes me warily. “They’re blatantly taking the piss! I knew it was a bad idea to let that cunt live when we...”
The door to the sitting room suddenly opens. “I heard my father’s voice.” Arianna hobbles into the room and steadies herself against the back of Liam’s armchair. “Why are you speaking to him?”
“Arianna!” Liam smiles. “How are you feeling?”
Arianna blanks Liam to stare icily at me. “Still on good terms with Papà? Further arrangements to make with him, perhaps?”
I don’t have to spell out to Liam that he needs to leave. I’m not having this conversation with Arianna with an audience.
Liam springs to his feet, guessing correctly that there is something seriously wrong between me and the woman who was, and still is, my wife. “I’ll... erm... I’ll see you later,” he mutters as he hastily leaves the room.