Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
MATEO
The last month is the most relaxed I’ve felt in a long time.
Vanessa moved into my room, and somehow we fall into the perfect rhythm of being tangled up together and falling asleep side by side.
The more time I spend with her, the more I start to imagine her as the mother of my children.
I know she isn’t ready for that yet, but I decide I need to start somewhere.
The first step is giving us a home that actually feels like one.
That’s how we end up here today, moving into our new place right next to Gino.
I’ve owned the house for a few years, saving it for when I eventually got married.
It was always too big for just me. The place is massive, something most people would call a mansion.
Six bedrooms and six bathrooms feel excessive, but in an Italian family you’re almost expected to plan for more kids than you think you’ll ever have.
When I tell Vanessa about it, she’s thrilled at the idea of leaving the apartment and finally having a space that feels like hers.
As we step into the foyer, the formal dining room sits to the right.
I picture one day hosting big family dinners here instead of always crowding into Gino’s place.
To the left is the formal living room, which she already says we’ll never use.
As I walk down the hallway, soft music drifts through the house. I’ve learned Vanessa loves slowed and reverbed songs, and hearing it already filling this place makes it feel like home.
I spend most of the day hauling boxes inside. Neither of us have much since we both lived in places a fraction of the size. The guys clear out after everything has been moved in. With everyone so close now, we decide family dinners will be a weekly thing.
For a moment, I just stop and watch her.
She’s in the kitchen, sliding dishes into the cabinets.
She spent the day with Juliet shopping for everything from new plates to furniture, and when she came back, it took everything in me not to grab her and take her right there in the hallway with everyone still around.
“Oh, hi,” she says, startled as she turns to me. She’s in black yoga pants and a dark red T-shirt that hugs her perfectly, her hair pulled through the back of a black baseball cap.
“Did I ever tell you how good you look today?”
“You might have,” she says with a wink. And yeah, I did. This morning I spent plenty of time telling her how beautiful she looked naked in bed.
I cross the room, cup her face, and kiss her, slow and hungry. “I’ve been wanting to do that all day.”
“Then why didn’t you?”
“Gino would’ve killed me.”
She laughs softly. “He does realize we’re married, right? He’s basically the one who made it happen.”
“I know, but he’s also trying to catch up on being your brother.” I kiss her forehead. “I was thinking we could order pizza and just relax since it’s your day off.”
“Works for me.”
“I’ve got a few things to catch up on. I’m going to head to my office, but I’ll be done in an hour or so.” I kiss her again before stepping into the room next to the kitchen.
The office has huge windows looking out over the side yard. I push open the French doors and immediately see the stacks of law books that still need shelves and my computer sitting there unhooked. Half my time ends up going into getting everything set up.
I know it’s been more than an hour when Vanessa walks in carrying a pizza box and a bottle of wine. “You got a lot done in here,” she says, glancing around.
I look up from my desk and smile. “Has it already been an hour?”
“It’s been a little longer than that.”
“Why didn’t you say anything?” I ask as I stand and walk over to her.
“You looked really focused when I walked by,” she says. I check my watch and realize it’s nearly seven. I came in here before five.
“Shit. I’m sorry.”
“It’s totally okay.” She tilts her head. “What are you working on, anyway?”
“A contract with a family in Italy for supplies on a new project. They keep trying to lowball us.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means we might have to send some of the guys out there to negotiate face to face.”
“Oh.” She studies me. “Would you have to go?”
“Would you want me to?”
She tilts her head, amused. “That feels like a trick question. But no, I wouldn’t be jumping up and down if you had to go.”
“Good to know.” I smile. “So, want to eat dinner? I still need to work later, but I can take a break for a bit.”
We head into the family room next to my office.
Vanessa sets the pizza and wine on the coffee table, two glasses already waiting.
The TV hums with some reality show until she grabs the remote and switches it to a sporting event.
I’ve learned sports are basically white noise to her.
She can follow everything while still focusing on something else.
The smell of pepperoni hits me, and I realize I haven’t eaten since this morning.
We dig in, talking easily between bites.
After three slices, I grab the box with what’s left, knowing I’ll probably be back for it later.
Vanessa follows me into the kitchen, setting the wine on the counter and loading the glasses into the dishwasher.
“Could I help you put stuff away in your office?” she asks.
“Sure, just so you know I’ll be pretty focused on this contract.”
“I know. I kind of like watching you work.”
“Is that so?” I say, smiling as I back her gently against the counter. “I wouldn’t mind having an assistant.” I kiss her softly before we head back into the office.
I sit down and start reviewing the contract while Vanessa begins organizing the boxes scattered around the room.
The more I read, the worse it looks. They’re planning to short us on supplies to drive up the cost. I don’t know how they thought we wouldn’t catch it.
I pull out my phone and text Gino to see if he knows anything about it.
Me
Have you reviewed the contract from the Russos?
Gino
No, you’re the lawyer. You review it.
I roll my eyes at the sarcasm.
Me
I did, and it’s bullshit. They’re trying to make us pay more for fewer supplies.
Gino
Fuck. Do you think you can fix it?
Me
We didn’t sign anything, so maybe.
Gino
The whole reason this is happening is because my father signed a deal we have to honor.
Me
We might need to send someone to Italy to negotiate face to face.
Gino
You want to do that? You don’t have to answer. I already know you don’t. Come over tomorrow morning and we’ll figure out a plan.
Me
Alright. See you tomorrow.
Gino
See ya.
I lock my phone and drop it on the desk, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. This is going to suck. I already know the only real option is for me to go to Italy. We need someone who can negotiate without throwing punches. I let out a long, frustrated groan.
“Is everything okay?” Vanessa asks softly. I glance over and catch the small, gentle smile on her lips.
“Honestly, I don’t know. This whole thing feels off.”
“How so?”
I hesitate. I don’t want to dump everything on her, but if there’s a chance I’ll be leaving, she needs to know.
“This partnership was something your father agreed to. It wasn’t formal, not on paper, but he gave his word, so in some way we have to honor it.
We agreed to one shipment, but this contract is trying to make us pay more and commit to more than one. ”
“Shipment of what?”
“You’re not going to like it. Supplies for drugs. And before you get upset, it’s supplies to make them. We weren’t planning on using them, just buying them and repurposing the materials.”
“This is the mafia,” she says with a dry laugh. “Drugs are basically currency around here.”
“I know how it looks, but we’re trying to clean things up and move away from the shit our parents did. This is the last thing tying us to all of that.”
“So after this, how do you plan to make money?”
“You’re worried about money?” I ask softly. “I have more than enough.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I know. That’s why we all have other skills.
I love being a lawyer, but I never wanted it just for the family.
I could work at any firm if I wanted to.
We just have to clear out what’s left of the past first. Your brother’s brilliant with business and already lining up real contracts and bids.
This isn’t what we want to do, but it’s what we have to do right now.
After this, we finally get to do things our way. ”
She nods, another big yawn stretching across her face. I can tell she’s exhausted.
“You should probably get to bed,” I tell her. “We had a long day, and you have to work tomorrow night.”
“You know if I sleep now, I won’t be able to sleep during the day before my shift,” she says with a soft giggle. “But I am tired, so I’m going to take a nap and I’ll probably be up in a few hours. I hope you’re in bed by the time I wake up.” She steps closer and kisses me.
“Goodnight,” I say. There are three words sitting on my tongue, but I don’t let them out. I don’t think she’s ready, even if I am.
“Night,” she says, then smiles. “And I love you too.”
My breath catches. “How did you—never mind. You love me?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Well, yeah, but how did you know I was about to say it?”
“I saw it in your eyes.”
“I love you, Vanessa.”
“I love you too, Mateo.”
She walks out without hesitation, leaving me standing there with my heart in my throat. To hell with the contract in Italy. Still, that uneasy feeling sits heavy in my gut.
I spend most of the night going over the contract again. Just like she said, Vanessa wakes up and comes back into my office, quietly putting things away while I work. By four in the morning, I can barely keep my eyes open, and she finally forces me into bed.
A few hours later, I wake to the smell of bacon and eggs. We eat breakfast together and go over her schedule for the day, which means a lot of sleep before her shift that night.
Once I know she’s asleep, I head over to Gino’s.
With our new place so close, it’s barely a five-minute drive.
As I get into the car, I run through the plan that’s been circling my head all night.
We have to send someone to negotiate this contract in person.
I already know Gino is going to ask me. I’m the only one with the legal background, and the last thing we need is more violence.
When I pull into his driveway, I text Vanessa that I’ll be back in a few hours.
Inside, the house is eerily quiet. Normally I’d hear Juliet or one of the guys moving around, but today there’s nothing.
I head upstairs to Gino’s office and find him behind his desk, looking just as exhausted as I feel.
“You look like you haven’t slept,” I say.
“Same to you.” He snorts. “You were right on the contract. After your text last night, I went through it again. We need to send someone to talk to them face to face. But it has to be someone who won’t make them think we’re looking for a fight, someone tough enough to set this straight.”
“Let me guess,” I say dryly. “That someone is me.”
“Bingo.”
“My wife isn’t going to like that.”
“Oh, your wife, huh?”
“Yeah. That’s what she is, and she’s your sister. You really want to explain to her how you had her get married and now you’re sending her husband to another country?”
“You won’t be gone more than a week. Tops.”
“Right. A week. Why does that sound like bullshit?”
“Come on, man. There’s no one else I can send, and you’re the best guy I have.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence, but she’s still not going to like it.”
“I know,” he says quietly. “But what choice do we have?”
I don’t answer. He’s right. Now I just have to convince Vanessa this won’t be a big deal. First, I need to convince myself.