Chapter 3 #3
"Mr. Fielder." My voice lowered. "I heard about what happened with my sister."
His face changed.
"I don't appreciate people who hurt the people I care about." I leaned closer. "My sister didn't want me to know because she has a good heart. She wanted to move past it."
I shook my head. "Unfortunately for you...that's where we are different."
My eyes hardened. "You need to understand something. My family is off limits. Always."
I let the silence sit between us. "If you ever cross that line again...you will have a much bigger problem than a conversation with me."
His face had gone pale. I grabbed the front of his jacket and forced him to look directly at me. "Do you understand?"
He swallowed. Tried to nod.
"Speak."
"Y-yes."
I held his gaze for another moment. "Good." I released him and stood back up. "That wasn't so difficult."
I looked toward Marcio. "Let him go."
Marcio stepped back, allowing Mr. Fielder to stand. He quickly adjusted his jacket, trying to regain whatever dignity he had left.
"You have a class waiting for you." I turned and walked toward the door. Damien and Raf immediately looked over when I stepped into the hallway. I gave them a small nod. Then I glanced back toward the classroom.
The students were watching. A few girls started whispering and giggling when I walked past. I just smiled and kept going.
Our guards followed a few steps behind us as we walked down the hallway. "That was epic." Leo grinned, giving me a dap.
I laughed slightly. "Yeah, it was a rush." I shook my head. "Now I understand how Pops feels."
Marcio slapped my back. "I could've sworn that guy almost pissed himself."
I smirked. "Good. Let's just hope he listens."
We reached our classrooms and said our goodbyes before splitting up. For the first time all day, I thought I could actually focus on school.
I was wrong. About halfway through class, my phone started going off. And it wasn't the guards at the estate.
It wasn't an emergency. It was the managers from the many, many businesses my family owned. I glanced toward Mrs. Gable.
She looked over at me, clearly noticing the constant buzzing.
I raised my hand slightly. "Sorry, I need to step outside for a moment." She nodded. The teachers here were used to it. The dean knew about my father's position. Not the full details, obviously, but enough.
After years of generous donations and support from my father, the school had made certain accommodations for our family.
We were allowed to have guards. We could leave when necessary. And if business required our attention, we weren't questioned.
I stepped into the empty hallway and answered the phone.
"Basilio."
A man immediately spoke on the other end. "Hey, is this Adriano II?"
I narrowed my eyes slightly. "Yes. What do you need?"
The man cleared his throat. "Hey, Tony here. I've been trying to reach you nonstop."
I leaned against the wall. "What happened?"
"The funds are in for tonight's event, but we have no liquor."
I blinked. "Come again?"
Tony sighed. "Boss, how am I supposed to run a club full of men with female entertainers if there's no liquor?" His thick New York accent came through clearly.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. Seriously? This was something Pops handled?
Liquor? I thought being Boss meant dealing with major threats and important decisions. Not making sure a club had enough alcohol. Apparently, I was wrong.
"Alright, Tony." I straightened. "I'll have a shipment delivered to the club within the hour."
"Thank you, Boss."
The call ended. I stared at my phone for a second. Then I shook my head. I dialed Uncle Stefano's number.
After two rings, he answered.
"Boss."
"Stefano."
I looked down the empty hallway. "Tony from Eastside Farewick needs a liquor shipment delivered within the hour."
There was no hesitation. "Yes, Boss. I'm on it."
I hung up. One more thing checked off the list. I turned back toward the classroom door and reached for the handle.
Before I could open it... My phone rang again. I closed my eyes and sighed. Of course.
I answered.
"Basilio."
~***~
Matteo Pov~
We touched down in Italy an hour ago. The Italian guards immediately drove Luca and me to the Basilio Estate.
The second we arrived, I could feel it. Something was wrong. The estate that was usually filled with confidence and power felt different.
Tense and quiet. Like everyone was waiting for something to happen. We settled into our rooms, but we still hadn't been able to meet with the council.
That alone was unusual. A knock sounded at my door.
I opened it to find Anthony standing there. "My friend," he greeted with a small smile. "What a surprise to see you here." I shook his hand and nodded.
"Yeah, well, when I heard this could put my family in jeopardy, I knew I had to see it for myself."
I stepped aside, allowing him inside before leading him toward the sofa.
Anthony sat down as I poured two glasses of scotch. "Yeah..." He accepted the glass from me, his expression serious. "It's crazy over here, Matteo."
He took a drink. "Everyone is tense. Everyone is walking around on eggshells around the council."
I sat back, listening carefully.
"I don't know what's going on. Nobody is saying anything." His eyes met mine. "But the main topic of discussion..."
He paused.
"Is Adriano and your family."
My jaw tightened slightly. "Why?"
Anthony shook his head. "That's the thing. I have no idea." He looked down at his drink. "Nobody will tell me anything."
Before I could respond, another knock echoed through the room. The door opened and Luca poked his head inside. He looked around before spotting us. "The council is summoning us."
I stood immediately. Of course they were. I nodded toward Anthony. He understood and stood up. "I'll let you handle this."
He left through the opposite hallway as Luca and I made our way toward the council chambers. We walked down the grand staircase and through the endless hallways of the estate. The Basilio Estate in Italy was different from ours. Older. More traditional. This place held generations of history.
Power and Blood.
Eventually, we reached two large wooden doors. The guards opened them. Luca and I stepped inside. The room was massive.
A large round table sat in the center, with members of the council already seated around it.
Every single person turned their attention toward us. The Basilio Council wasn't made up of outsiders. Only blood relatives.
Only Basilios.
Which meant every person sitting at that table was family. Whether we knew them personally or not. The man sitting at the head of the table stood. He approached us with a calm expression before extending his hand.
I accepted it.
"Nice to finally meet you, Matteo."
His English was flawless. Not surprising, considering the power and influence this family had across the world.
"It's an honor." He gave a small nod before looking between Luca and me.
"Please, join us." He gestured toward the empty seats. "We have many things to discuss."
I walked toward the table, my instincts already on high alert.
Whatever brought us here...It was bigger than a simple disagreement.
And if the council was involved...It meant the entire Basilio family could be at risk.