CHAPTER 22 Lindsay
Lindsay
It took a lot to convince my bodyguards to make one pitstop before we headed back home. They wanted to call Matteo to ask for permission, but I convinced them that he probably already knows. Simply because he already confessed to hacking my phone and I haven’t had the chance to get a new one yet.
We’ve had a conversation about my right to privacy and how he can’t invade it like that. But I think he was too busy staring at my tits to really listen or take any of my words in.
He gets one pass on that. He’s really lucky I like him.
When we arrive at the café where Fadden and I usually meet, I head inside with Crater in tow. Those were the terms I was able to land on. If I was going in, at least one of them was going to come with me. My jaw is clenched as I head in to the café. I have a feeling this isn’t going to end well.
Fadden’s seated in the same spot as the last time. A look I can’t decode flits across his face when he sights me. And then his lips turn down in a frown when he takes in my companion. He gets to his feet at my approach.
“Lindsay,” he drawls. “It’s great to see you considering you’ve been MIA for over a week.”
“Hello, Fadden.”
We take a seat and it’s impossible to ignore the tension in the air that’s mostly emanating from him. He’s angry. I can see it in his eyes. I’m just not sure why.
I order a cup of coffee needing a drink before facing this conversation. Once it arrives, I take a slow sip, waiting for the person who called me out to speak first.
“Well?” I ask when he continues to stay silent.
“I was hoping you’d provide me with an explanation.”
“Sorry, but I’m not really interested in doing that.” I shrug. “How about you say whatever it is you have to say. Is this about the case?”
“Ah. So you do remember that. I was wondering if you did considering you disappeared on me.”
My jaw tightens. “I’ve had a lot going on.”
“Yes, I know. Your father was shot and whoever’s responsible is still at large.”
That’s literally only the tip of the iceberg, but I stay quiet as he continues.
“Which is why you disappeared and why you’re…” His eyes flit to the man behind me. “Why you’ve hired bodyguards, apparently.”
“You told me to,” I remind him.
“Sure,” he says easily. “Which company is he from?”
My lips turn up in a chilly smile. “None of your business.”
“Look,” he states, arms sliding onto the table as he leans in, “I’m just trying to help you, okay? There are rumors that the Bratva’s planning on making another move after what they did to your father.”
Surprise slides through me for a second before I dispel it. I knew the Bratva was responsible.
“What move?”
“I’m not exactly sure. It’s confidential information. They’re saying the Pakhan is finally planning on doing something to take care of all that’s been going on. He might be going after one of the Vitale brothers in retaliation.”
“The Vitales?” I question lowly. “What do they have to do with anything?”
“A lot, apparently. It’s come out that they’ve been making a lot of silent moves to undermine and take apart the Bratva.
They’re responsible for missing shipments, deals gone wrong, their men turn-coating.
It’s a pretty big mess. There’s also the matter of the murder of one of the lieutenants.
Apparently they’ve traced it back to one of the brothers. ”
Something icy slides through my veins.
“Which one?” I whisper.
“Matteo Vitale.”
My hands tighten into fists. “Could he be the one they’re going after?”
“It’s highly likely.”
I exhale a soft breath before looking at Fadden.
“Is there anything else about the case you’ve found out?”
He shakes his head.
“Alright, then I have to go. I have an urgent matter to take care of.”
I have to warn Matteo, make sure he doubles up on security or something. He’s in danger and it’s all my fault. I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to him.
“You’re leaving?” Fadden questions unhappily.
“Yes. But I appreciate you reaching out to me. I promise, I’ll set up another meeting and then we can discuss other things.”
He watches warily as I get to my feet. “Lindsay.”
“I’ll see you later.”
I start to walk away but suddenly there’s a scrape of a chair sliding backward and I’m falling to the ground.
“Wait,” Fadden calls, stepping forward and gripping my wrist. “You have to let me help you if you’re in any trouble, Lindsay,” he says intensely.
I try and fail to wrench my hand out of his grasp, staring up at him in panic. Especially when my gaze lands on the newcomer that walks into the café.
“Edward, you have to let me go if you want to stay alive.”
He frowns, eyebrows rising in confusion.
“I believe you heard her loud and clear,” Matteo says from behind Fadden, eyes dark with violence and rage.
I watch as Fadden releases me and turns around before immediately growing pale.
“So you recognize me? Good. That means you’ll know exactly who it is that sent you to an early grave,” Matteo growls. “How dare you touch what’s mine?”
My jaw tightens and I blow out a quick breath before moving to stand between the two men. I face Matteo, placing a hand on his chest to stop him from advancing.
“It’s okay. Let’s just go,” I say softly.
He doesn’t step back. He continues to look at Fadden with a gaze so terrifying, I’m surprised the man is still standing so still. When I notice his fists tightening, I’m spurred on by panic.
We’re in public and it’s only early evening. If Matteo does anything, every single patron in here will see and who knows what will happen then.
“Matteo, let’s go,” I repeat. “If you punch him, I won’t forgive you.”
“I’m going to do so much more than punch him,” he says darkly.
“No! You won’t.”
There must be something in my voice because he looks down at me with narrowed eyes.
“You’re protecting him?” he grits out.
“No, I’m protecting you. Now let’s go!”
He allows me to push him backward and then he’s grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the café on his own. Once we’re outside, I exhale in relief, hurriedly making sure Crater didn’t stay behind to deliver on Matteo’s threats.
Fadden is still inside and the terror in his eyes was unmistakable. I guess he’s familiar with the Vitales.
“You should have let me take care of that asshole,” Matteo murmurs, rage still sliding across his expression.
“He’s an FBI agent. That wouldn’t have ended up well for you.”
“He wouldn’t have been able to do a damn thing,” he states. “Especially not if he wants to stay alive and continue working for us.”
The words land with a dull thud in my chest.
“No…” I say slowly. “He works with the FBI.”
“Yes, he does. But he also works for us,” Matteo clarifies. “He’s one of Raffaele’s men.”
I suddenly feel very, very sick. That’s how he knew so much about the mafia.
“Doing what? What does he do for you?” I ask. “Are there limits to how deep the corruption goes within the legal force in this city?”
Matteo sighs. “He turns the other cheek, mostly. Makes some moves within the force that ensures that our more illicit activities stay hidden.”
“Since when have you known this?” I question accusingly.
“A while. I didn’t recognize him at first because he doesn’t work directly under me, but I did some digging and found out.”
“And you let me continue working with him? He’s helping me with the Bratva Rico case!”
“I’m sure he was going a good job,” Matteo says. “Him working with you on that has nothing to do with us.”
“Unbelievable. I’m not working with him again.”
“Now that we can agree on,” he growls. “He put his hands on you. You should have let me kill him.”
I don’t even dignify that with a response. He stopped, though. He listened to me and he took a step back, and for that I’m grateful. Plus the whole possessive, jealous thing is kind of hot.
But before I can focus on that, I remember everything Fadden just told me.
“We need to talk,” I say, gripping the cuff of Matteo’s suit jacket.
He takes in my expression slowly before leading me to the limo parked on the side of the road. I arch an eyebrow in question and he sighs.
“I was at an event when I saw the text. Had to leave early to keep you out of trouble. Like always,” he states.
There’s a twinge of disappointment in my chest.
“How come you didn’t invite me to come along?”
Matteo frowns. “I didn’t think it was your scene. I also didn’t think you’d say yes.”
“I could have surprised you.”
He’s right that balls, galas, and fancy parties aren’t exactly my thing. I had ample chance to attend them when I was younger, and they don’t really appeal to me anymore. But still, I wish he would have asked.
“Next time, princess,” Matteo says softly.
I think about the chaos that would be unleashed should I turn up at a social event on Matteo Vitale’s arm. It would be exciting.
He opens the door of the limo and I slide in, smoothing my dress as I settle into the leather seat. The interior is dimly lit, private. Matteo follows a second later, the door shutting behind him in a way that makes my heart skip a beat.
I don’t waste any time as I remember what Fadden and I just discussed.
“I think the Bratva’s coming after you,” I state.
Matteo’s expression doesn’t change.
“Really?”
“Yes. Fadden told me they know you murdered the lieutenant. They’re targeting you. Plus, they also shot my father.”
When there’s still no ripple in his eyes, my jaw tightens. All I get is silence. My brows pull together in frustration.
“But you already knew all that, didn’t you?”
“I’m handling things, Lindsay.”
“Did you also handle the text?”
He goes still. Just for a second, that particular stillness that means he already knows exactly what I’m talking about.
“Which text?”
“The one I received at the hospital. While my father was in surgery.” I hold his gaze. “To drop the case.”
He doesn’t look at me when he answers, but I see the coldness in his expression.
“It came from a burner registered to one of Morozov’s men. The same crew that took you to the cabin.” His jaw tightens slightly. “It’s been handled.”
“Handled how?”
“The way I handle things.”
I decide not to push it. I exhale slowly and let it go.