Page 154 of Matteo
It’s strange how a single event could flip your world upside down.
A few hours ago, I started thinking—maybe foolishly hoping—that Matteo and I would have a future together. Yet as I listened to my dad’s words, I didn’t know what to think.
“I can’t find a trace of her.” His face on the phone screen was murderous. “First I thought… hoped… she was after you. But now?—”
“I wish she was with me.” I released a trembling breath. “You’re the best at tracking people. Isn’t it odd that you haven’t been able to find her?”
“Honestly, I don’t know. She vanished, but then so did you. It took me over a month to track you down.”
“I was surprised you didn’t find me right away,” I muttered.
He let out a sardonic breath.
“Someone was wiping your tracks behind you.” My eyes darted to Matteo who was sitting opposite me, his expression inscrutable.
“It wasn’t me,” Matteo answered.
“It wasn’t Matteo,” Dad confirmed at the same time. “It was thanks to him that I found you.”
“So whoever was making sure you couldn’t find me is doing the same thing with Hannah,” I stated slowly.
“Exactly. Now let me see your so-called husband.” Dad’s calm voice reverberated through the phone, the last word uttered with a slight clench to his teeth.
Matteo came around and lifted me effortlessly, then sat in my seat, placing me on his lap. Dad’s expression on the screen darkened ominously.
“Here I am, dear father-in-law.”
I winced at his tone and pinched his thigh, but he didn’t even flinch.
“You and I… We’re not square yet. I specifically told you to stay away from my daughter, yet you go and kidnap her, threaten her with a gun… You married her! Without our permission and against her wishes.” Dad wasn’t happy at all. In fact, I didn’t think I’d ever seen him so mad. “And then you keep her from us.”
Matteo stared at the screen unblinkingly, his hand on my thigh. He didn’t look the least bit worried.
“With all due respect, I have repeatedly told you that Arianna is mine.”
Being here was a small blessing because I was fairly certain that if my dad was present, this discussion would have gone a lot worse.
Dad’s stormy eyes returned to fix on me. “You’re sure he didn’t hurt you?”
The way he asked, it almost sounded like he was hoping I’d say yes so he could end him.
“Yes, I’m sure,” I said confidently. “And whatever problems we have, they’re between Matteo and me. Promise you won’t interfere.”
Matteo’s hand on my thigh tightened its grip while Dad let out an incredulous breath. “I can’t make that promise. He pointed a gun at you. You’re my daughter, and anyone who hurts my children?—”
He didn’t have to finish that statement. “He would never hurt me. Besides, it’s worth noting that I pointed a gun at him first. Shot him too.”
“You did?” I nodded, and he smiled proudly. “That’s my girl.”
Matteo’s eyes burned holes into the side of my cheek, but all my focus was on my dad. “Promise me you’ll leave the Vitales alone and stop tearing through their assets, Dad.”
His eyes shifted to Matteo, shooting him a glare as he made anI’m watching yougesture with his fingers.
“Fine, I promise.”
A small smile grazed my lips. “Thank you, Daddy.”
“Matteo?” Dad turned his attention to him. “Next time I see you… you’re going to regret your methods.”
