Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
MATEO
I hate long-distance flights, even if Gino did splurge on first class.
This trip is already a mess, from the sudden change of plans to dealing with more of the Russos’ bullshit.
That elusive family in Italy keeps throwing it our way.
The entire time I was sitting in the airport and walking through the terminal, all I could think about is how much I wish Vanessa was with me.
Not because I want her anywhere near this mess, but because I just want her with me.
She’s completely changed me over the last few months.
I used to avoid getting close to anyone outside of the group, never wanting to commit, but with her I’d do anything to stay by her side.
That’s why I’m here now, to protect her and make sure she never gets dragged into this world.
The nearly nine-hour flight is spent going over every detail of the contract and all the deals Antonio made with these people.
They really thought we wouldn’t notice they were giving us less product for more money.
They even added clauses about who handles pickup and who negotiates, trying to box us in.
They planned for almost everything except one thing: we don’t walk away from our word.
They think we’ll scrap this, but we won’t.
When I land in Rome, a heavy sense of unease settles over me. I keep replaying what Vanessa said about not having a good feeling, and I don’t either. Whatever happens here, I need to make sure she’s safe with Gino.
Me
Just got to the hotel. Is she at your place?
Gino
Yup. And she’s still pissed, thinks we don’t trust her on her own.
Before I can reply, Vanessa’s name lights up my phone.
“Hey,” I answer.
“Hey, did you get there okay?” she asks sweetly. I wish I could see her right now.
“Yeah. I’m good. Hopefully this only takes a few days, and I’ll be home before you know it.”
“Good. I hate having to stay with Gino through all of this.”
“I know, but it’s safer this way.”
She sighs. “I know. That’s why I’m scared. I don’t want anyone worrying about me while you’re over there dealing with those assholes.”
“Mrs. Romano, did you just swear?”
“Maybe,” she says with a small laugh.
“When I get home, you’re going to need to be punished for that.”
“What kind of punishment?”
“I’ve got a lot of ideas.”
“Enlighten me, please.”
I groan softly. “Please tell me you’re alone.”
“Yup. I’m in one of the guest rooms.”
“Good. You have no idea how much I miss you, or how much I want you with me right now.”
“Well, what are you going to do about it?”
“Lots of things. First off, I am rock hard for you right now. I wish you could feel my cock straining through my pants right now.” I can hear her whimper softly on the other end of the phone. “What are you doing right now, sweetheart?”
“Hmm.”
“Baby, use your words.”
“I’m—”
“Are you touching yourself right now?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“My breasts.”
“Keep touching them. I want your pussy wet and your nipples hard for me, Vanessa.” I shift the phone so I can free one hand and undo my pants. “I’m taking my cock out right now, stroking it slowly. Imagine me right there on top of you, baby.”
She lets out a low moan.
“Slide your fingers down to your pussy, honey. Is it wet for me?”
“Yes,” she says breathlessly.
“Good. Finger yourself, Vanessa. My cock is so hard for you. I wish I could come all over you.”
“Fuck, Mateo.”
“Keep going, baby. I want to hear you come.”
I stroke myself, close but holding back, wanting us to fall apart together. After a few moments, all that fills the line is our ragged breathing and soft, broken sounds.
“Mateo, I’m going to come.”
“Good, baby. Me too. Come for me.”
I let out a low, broken moan as I come hard, thick heat spilling over my hands and streaking across my stomach.
“I love you, Mateo.”
“I love you too, Vanessa.”
“Please be careful and come home as soon as you can.”
“I will.”
I end the call and step into the shower.
The hot water runs over my skin, but the tension isn’t just in my muscles.
It’s deeper than that. Leaving home, going into this with no real backup, it all sits heavy in my chest. The plan is simple.
Go in, close the deal, sign the contract, and get out.
That’s what Gino and I agreed on. But the extra dinners and meetings they keep adding are what make me uneasy.
If this is the last dirty thing we have to do, why does it feel like we’re still playing their game?
The meeting with the Russos goes far more smoothly than I expect. They barely push back. Anthony Russo takes the contract and signs it almost as soon as it’s in front of him, no argument over the changes in product or price. It’s too easy, and that makes my skin crawl.
“Mateo, this deal is supposed to make us both a lot of money,” Anthony says as he hands the signed pages back to me.
“It should,” I reply. Two of his older sons stand at his sides, while the younger ones and a few of his men linger behind me.
As Anthony turns to murmur something to one of his sons, I scan the room. His office is massive, more like a living room than a workspace. Behind him, wide windows look out over the vineyard stretching across the property, acres and acres of green rolling off into the distance.
For the next few minutes, we keep up light conversation until Anthony excuses himself and leaves.
Two of his sons, Lorenzo and Salvo, take me out to lunch to “celebrate” the contract, which only makes my unease grow.
They seem far too relaxed for men who just agreed to clean up their side of things and go more legitimate.
We end up at a small café tucked into an alley, just a few tables set out front.
Lorenzo murmurs something to one of the waiters in a low voice.
The man doesn’t look like a waiter at all.
He’s in a suit, standing stiff and alert, more like a bodyguard.
My stomach tightens when he glances at me, gives a slight nod, and heads back inside.
We sit and make small talk. I’m careful to keep everything impersonal, just in case. I don’t mention Vanessa, Gino, or my marriage. To them, I’m just the American lawyer they sent.
After a few plates of meat and cheese, the “waiter” returns with coffee. The brothers start drinking theirs. I take a sip of mine.
Within seconds, something feels wrong. My vision blurs, the sounds around me dulling like I’m underwater. One of them starts talking, but the words don’t make sense. My eyelids grow heavy, my body slackening as I struggle to stay upright.
Then everything goes black.