Page 19 of The Chameleon

He gave the international gun trafficker a nod.

Ares’s eyes skimmed the room. “Do any of them know?”

Matteo shook his head.

Most of the guys who worked for Matteo knew that his parents were dead, but none of them knew the nature of their deaths or the fact that the anniversary of their deaths was fast approaching.

Given the power and influence his parents held at the time, Matteo was able to convince most of the major news outlets not to report his parents’ cause of death, only that they had passed away in a tragic accident. There were a few questions asked and a few newbie reporters who wouldn’t let things go, but thankfully, a few days later, some celebrity was caught having an affair, and the world turned its attention to more important matters.

Every November, Matteo always fell into a depressive state. He became withdrawn, anti-social, and quick to anger. He did his best to hide his change in behavior, but behind closed doors, he was a mess.

Thinking of his parents, he was always reminded that it was just before Christmas when Matteo’s world came crashing down around him. Overnight, he became an orphan, losing his entire family in an instant.

Members of the Sabarino family did not live long. His grandparents passed away within six months of each other when he was just a small boy, and his father’s brother mysteriously disappeared one day when he was a teenager. Matteo had his suspicions as to what became of his uncle, but he never hadthe nerve to ask his father. Zio Stefano was a topic never to be spoken of in the presence of his father.

And, just like that, Matteo became master of the château and the Sabarino multi-billion-euro fortune.

“This really is something that you should share with those closest to you,” Ares mentioned, placing his hand on Matteo’s shoulder.

Big mistake.

Feeling Ares’s hand on his body sent shivers down his spine. It was funny how something as simple as a touch could invoke such a strong reaction.

Matteo stepped away from Ares, causing his hand to slip from his shoulder.

“I’m fine,” Matteo growled. “Just like I’ve always been, just like I always will be. Now get the fuck out of my house,” Matteo barked, slamming his glass down on the bar and gaining a few startled glances.

He pushed past Ares, storming from the theatre and heading out to the gardens.

He really couldn’t stand thatfuckingguy.

5

ARES

Twelve Years Ago

Panting, Ares jumped into the back seat of his car and pulled his cell phone out of his jacket pocket.

“Drive!” Ares barked. “Hotel Charlemagne.”

“Yes, boss.” His driver rushed, shifting the car into drive and flooring the gas.

Flipping open his cell phone, he quickly punched the numbers into the pad. His heart was pounding, and his pulse was racing.

Hurry up. Pick up. Pick up the goddamn phone.

How did they? Fuck. This couldn’t be happening.

But it was. The one thing he feared was actually happening.

What will you do now?

He had to think.

There’s no time for that! They know! They’re coming!

Fuck. Why had he been so stupid?

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