Page 26 of Matteo

"Right," I reply, my throat tightening. "But he's also just a lethal man. Keeps that shit under wraps, only shows it when it's business."

"So, you don't even know how dangerous he is?" Niko’s following up with questions I wish he didn’t have to ask.

"Shit, no." I ruffle his hair, forcing a smile. "And I don't fucking care to. The man I sleep next to, the one who laughs and loves, that's the Matteo I hold onto."

"Wow, okay." He turns back to the laptop, eager to shift topics. "Check this out!" he beams.

I lean in, peering at the screen. It's lit with schematics and tech-fantasy coming alive. "This is badass," I admit, genuinely impressed.

"Angel taught me to draft rooms and code stuff for the designs!" His pride is infectious.

"Maybe he'll show you more tech tricks," I suggest, grinning. "Doubt you'll be hacking the Pentagon, but who knows?"

"Really?!" He practically vibrates with excitement.

"Easy, tiger," I chuckle, nudging him gently. Then, a sound from above snags my attention. Matteo's on the stairs, quiet as death, listening.

"Hey," I call, my voice steady despite the tension.

"Hey," he echoes, his gaze fixed on his hands, almost ashamed.

"Everything cool now?" I can't help but question.

"Wouldn't hurt you, Eleanor," he murmurs, conviction laced with sorrow.

"Matteo," I start, steeling myself against his broken expression, "it's been ten years. Thought maybe your demons had changed."

"More frequent, that's all," he admits, those hauntingly dark eyes meeting mine.

"Never let them touch you or Niko," he says, each word a vow.

"Okay," I agree, because what else can you do when faced with a man so twisted by love and violence?

The air's thick with tension, like a storm cloud ready toburst. Matteo's gaze flickers over to Niko, and there's something raw in his eyes, something that makes my stomach twist.

"Niko, has your mother explained what happens if I blank out?" His voice is gravelly, rough around the edges.

"Yes, Sir," Niko says, stiff as a board.

"Sir?" Matteo's taken aback, flinching as if he's been slapped.

"Sorry, what did you want me to say?" Niko's fidgeting, looking to me for some kind of lifeline.

There's a long pause, heavy as lead. "You could call me, dad?" Matteo's suggestion hangs in the air, a desperate hope clinging to the words.

"Um, okay..." Niko mumbles, uncertainty laced in his tone.

Matteo's hands are shaking now, betraying the iron-clad control he always parades around. "I don’t mean all the time, but maybe every now and then? I know I’ve only just met you, but I would love to get to know you."

Christ, the vulnerability in his voice could shatter glass. It's like watching a predator turn into prey, and it's fucking unsettling.

"I know your mother ran away to keep you safe. But you're back now and it's my job now to keep you both safe. Please just give me the chance to do that." The words are barely above a whisper, each one sounding like it costs him a piece of his soul.

Niko glances up at me, his eyes searching for an answer. “Okay, Dad, we can try. Can’t we, Mum?”

"Yep, we can try," I reply, my voice steadier than I feel.Inside, I'm a mess of nerves and fear, but for Niko's sake, I force calmness like I'm wearing a goddamn mask.

Matteo lets out a deep breath, the sound heavy with relief. He claps his hands together, the sharp noise echoing around the room like a gunshot. "Okay, let’s see this list you have for your little spot down here and see what we can get done today!"

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