Chapter 38
Matteo
“Matteo,” a familiar, calming voice washes over me.
I turn from my vegetative stare out the back windows of the great room to find my brother’s concerned eyes. “Luca?”
“I came as soon as I heard.”
I want to ask if it’s safe that he’s here, but I’m too selfish. Standing from my chair, I rush to him, clutching my brother tightly to my chest, sobbing into his shoulder. I’ve never cried in front of anyone.
But her.
Luca holds me tightly to him, never giving me ridiculous platitudes. No, it’s going to be okay. We’ll get through this. He knows better.
“I’d refused to believe he’d actually get away with this. How…” the bawling overtakes me.
Once my breathing slows, and I’m able to pull back from Luca, he asks, “Do you have everything ready to go?”
Swiping my face with my sleeve, I nod.
“Let’s get you out of here.”
The exuberance from this morning has vanished into thin air. I no longer feel the rush of a new life cresting the horizon. My uncontrolled enthusiasm has been replaced with heartbreaking indifference.
But Luca’s right. I need to get out of here. My mind is reeling. Left to my own devices, I’m likely to find one of the fuckwits I’ve witnessed high as a kite and bribe them to get me enough blow or Fentanyl to bring this agony to a quick end. Being here is a stark reminder that Sydney’s gone because I was selfishly focused on myself instead of her.
Following Luca to the front door, I point in the direction of my bags. I stop to gather them before heading out into the summer sun. As the birds chirp and the warm breeze kisses my face, I find myself shifting from sorrow to anger. How could such a beautiful day happen without her? It should be raining. How could God be so cruel?
Luca opens the trunk of an older model silver Nissan Sentra. I glance about, a little surprised not to find Anthony. But I know Luca would never take chances, now that he’s married and has little ones depending on him to return to them.
I open the creaky door and slide into the passenger seat, praying he won’t make idle conversation. Any other visit, we’d talk nonstop to catch up on all we’ve missed. Yet I don’t have it in me. I just want to go home.
I stare out the window without actually seeing anything. The world whirls by like a movie reel. It doesn’t feel like something I’m a part of. Has being here caused me to become unattached to reality? Or more likely, since she’s no longer a part of this world, I want nothing more to do with it.
Dropping my face into my hands, I pull at my hair. There’s a tearing sensation in my chest as I contemplate her last moments. Was it quick? Was she scared? Did she suffer? I want to yell out in pain. But I’ll save that until I’m alone.
God, why? Why her? Why couldn’t he have killed me? She didn’t deserve the life she was given because of me. She was so smart, confident, and beautiful. There was so much Sydney had to offer the world. But all of that was cut short because of me.
The image of my beautiful wife sitting at the bar at Luigi’s that very first night comes to mind. Her gorgeous blonde tresses spilling down her back, her head tipped back as she laughed out loud to something the bartender said.
I should’ve never approached her. But she was magnetic. The pull to her was so strong, I couldn’t have repelled it any more than the earth can avoid rotating around the sun. Even though I knew…
Meeting me was a death sentence.
I’m so lost in my agony it doesn’t hit me that we’re headed the wrong way until I recognize the locked gates opening to Giovanni’s home. Hell, there’s no use arguing with Luca. He’s probably staying there and wants to be near me. To make sure I don’t do anything stupid.
He knows me so well.
As Luca pulls the car to a stop, I take a deep inhale and steady myself for what’s to come. I’m too broken to deal with talking right now. I’m sure the anger will come. Why hadn’t they protected her as they promised? How could they let this happen? But for now, I only want to lock myself in a dark room.
It’s probably for the best Luca brought me here. Sydney would be disappointed to see me spend months getting sober, only to drink myself to death the moment I left rehab. I’m not deluded enough to think I’ll make it very long without wanting to end it all one way or another. I mean, how do I live with the knowledge she’s gone because of me? Yet I need to stay dry today, if nothing more than to honor her.
I sling my bag over my shoulder and follow Luca up the palatial steps of my cousin’s mansion. Why hadn’t I forced her to stay here? I’d been so worried about her surgical career. How many lives is she saving now?
As the doors open, and my cousin and Anthony come into view, I swallow down the lump in my throat. I’m not breaking down in front of these two. I did that with Luca. I’ll save the rest for when I’m alone. What good would it do, anyway?
Giovanni walks up and pulls me into his arms. With a strong slap to my back, I fight back the need to scream. A few minutes. I’ll give them that. Let them say whatever they need to say, then excuse myself to shower and grieve in my own way.
Anthony moves closer. “Boss—”
I throw my hand up. “I can’t. Not today,” I choke out. My face falls into my hands, and I inwardly curse myself for not being strong enough to keep my emotions locked away until I’m alone. The tears start to fall. Hell, they wouldn’t expect any different. Would they? They all know how much she meant to me.
Meant. The use of the past tense only causes me to weep harder.
“Matteo.”
What—am I hallucinating? I’d expect that if I was dreaming. Or if I’d been drinking. But I’m dryer than stale toast.
Dropping my hands from my face, I slowly turn to see my beautiful girl seated in a wheelchair. “Syd!” I cry out as I run to her. Falling to my knees, I sob. My entire body shudders from the force of my howling into her lap.
Reaching up, I cup her face. Is she real? How can this be real? Mia moglie. ( My wife .) Ti amo. Ti amo. I drop my head into her lap, rocking it back and forth, overwhelmed by equal parts disbelief and gratitude.
“Baby.” She runs her fingers through my hair, her nails scraping my scalp in that familiar way.
I continue to bawl uncontrollably. “I don’t understand.” My voice cracks under the strain of my blubbering. “The news said…” Unable to speak, I clutch her tighter. “They said she was dead.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you when I picked you up today, Fratello. But we couldn’t risk anyone at the rehab center catching on. And once we were in the car, I worried someone could be trailing us. So, I held off until we were here. Hell, Matteo. I knew you’d never believe me until you saw her yourself.”
Gently dusting the pads of my thumbs back and forth over her sweet face, I lean in for a chaste kiss. I’ve never been more grateful for anything in my life. I don’t have it in me to second guess what they chose to do.
She’s here. My Sydney is here.
“We needed to act fast. We believe your father’s men had come to our office. One was posing as a patient, there to see Sydney. Your brilliant wife has been studying Italian. She was able to translate enough of what they were saying to run before they realized she was gone.”
I stare up at her, my eyes wide with disbelief.
“After everything happened with Alexis Patterson, I knew this day would come. So, we had a plan in place. Thankfully, it all came together.”
I lift my weary head to find Broadie Weston holding the handles of my wife’s wheelchair. Even through tears, I recognize this enigma of a man.
“I hate that I took Sydney’s choices away from her. Yet there was no doubt these men would stop at nothing. We’d already lived through this with Luca.” He glances at my brother. I can practically feel the tension from that night radiating between them.
“Sydney was already hesitant about taking the pill I’d provided to relax her. We needed her to be sedated so it would appear she was lifeless to any onlookers who came upon the crash. Plus, knocking her out would hopefully limit her injuries. It’s how so many drunks manage to walk away after an accident without serious bodily harm.” Broadie’s eyes search mine and he grimaces. “Sorry, Matteo.”
“No apology necessary.” He’s absolutely right. “You did what you felt you needed in order to save my wife.” Standing, I swipe my sleeve over my face to clear the steady stream of tears before extending a hand to thank him. “This isn’t the first time you’ve come through for my family. I owe you a debt I’ll never be able to repay.”
I’d met Broadie only briefly at The Devil’s Playground. He was one of seven men Giovanni and I refer to as his billionaire boys club. They’ve all amassed an insane amount of money through working hard or shrewd business deals.
While many of them came into their wealth through family money or an inheritance of some type, they’ve managed their assets well. Living amongst the top one percent requires a lot of skill and a great deal of security. Great minds work hard and play hard. I’m just grateful this one has taken such an interest in aiding my brother, and my wife.
“I think of Sydney as the little sister I never had. She’s an incredibly brave woman.” He chuckles. “But I doubt she’ll ever get into a car with me again.”
“Nope,” Sydney blurts flatly.
Broadie shakes his head with laughter. “We got lucky. Everything came together perfectly.” He pats an affectionate hand on her shoulder. “Please forgive me, Syd. I’m sorry. I wish there had been a better way.” He pauses. “I wasn’t sure how much you knew, yet it was clear you were in no state to discuss it at that moment. I was only trying to protect you.”
Sydney peers up at him. Her expression is hard to read. But I know my girl. She loves with her whole heart. And she’s always respected Dr. Weston’s decisions. She has to know he had no other choice.
I drop back down by my wife’s side. Running my hands over her legs, I look up at her. “You’re okay?”
“Yes. Just weak.” There are a few scratches marring her angelic face. I grimace as I notice the bruises on her arms.
Broadie takes a moment to gather himself, appearing to choose his words carefully. “We had to sedate her for everything to work to plan. The car accident was staged. Thankfully, your cousin has people in high places. The police department, the coroner’s office.”
“In our family’s line of work, it’s essential. But at least the men we have on our payroll are there to do good.”
I glance up at Giovanni. His eyes find mine. I try to blink away the remaining tears. Yet they continue to spill, given how much he’s done for me.
“Doesn’t hurt that Broadie owns an ambulance and has his own crew.”
Broadie snickers. “Yeah, there’s a purchase I would’ve never seen coming. But it’s come in handy several times now.”
Giovanni smiles knowingly. “They were here for you, too, cugino.”
“Me?”
“Yes. How do you think we managed to fix your sorry ass and get you to rehab?”
My eyes connect with Broadie once more. There’s no judgment there. “It appears it’s three lives you’ve saved.”
“No. You did that by going to rehab, Matteo. I know that was no easy task. We simply got you ready for them.” This man is too modest. I practically drank myself to death that time.
“I have no idea how I’ll ever repay you.”
“There’s no need. You take care of Sydney, and we’re even.” My wife looks up at him, and he gives her a wink.
Giovanni pulls me up to standing, and Luca comes toward me with a bottle of water. I reach out for Sydney’s hand, not wanting to let go of her.
“Come sit.” G motions to a chair. Broadie is kind enough to wheel her over to sit next to me.
I lift her soft hand to my mouth, kissing the back of it. It still doesn’t feel real. She’s here. I’d thought I’d lost her, but she’s right here. “You’re sure that you are okay?”
“I’m going to be fine. Sore, but fine. Are you all right?”
I’m not entirely sure how to answer. I’m so overwhelmed by the events of the day, I can barely think straight. “I’ve been given an impossible gift. Prayers answered I thought were hopeless. How can I not be all right?”
Her eyes hold mine, and a warmth begins to spread through my body. I don’t know where we go from here, but I’m certain we’re going to be okay.
“Unfortunately, it’s too risky for you to join Luca and his family in Jamaica. We can’t take chances having you two together for any length of time. Even under assumed names,” G says. I look at my brother, wishing things could be different.
“We’re working on a safe long-term situation. But some of this is contingent on Broadie.”
Sydney and I turn to look at the doctor.
“I’ve been looking into a few options to continue your work in medicine, Sydney.”
Hope lights up her face as she peers up at her friend.
“Devon Sly just acquired his own private island; the two of you can visit until we can work out more details,” Giovanni adds.
My eyes widen in shock. Shit, G definitely hangs with some heavy rollers. I watch as he and Broadie share a conspiratorial snicker.
“That dude. He probably bought it to have complete privacy for his debauchery.” Broadie laughs.
G throws his head back. “I wouldn’t doubt it. He said it’s eventually going to be a one-of-a-kind luxury vacation destination. Only a few oceanfront bungalows with butler service and food and activities suitable for the rich and famous. But for now, it only has one villa.”
“Does it even have electricity or running water?” Broadie jokes.
“I wouldn’t send my cousin and his wife to live an episode of Survivor .” Giovanni turns to me. “I don’t think we were expecting this to happen so quickly. But it’s an option for the both of you until we can come up with another plan.”
“Yes!” I belt out. I turn to my wife, grinning from ear to ear. The day I’ve prayed for has finally arrived. We can be together and not have to live with the same threats we’ve had until now. It’s not ideal. She’ll have to walk away from her practice and friends. But he’s working on a way for her to continue her career. And she’ll be safe. “How soon can we leave?”
Sydney looks up at me with tears in her eyes. It takes me a moment to comprehend what she’s just said.
“No.”