Page 78 of Brutal Heir
“I’ll find out who did it,” I promise. “I already have Vincent combing every inch of footage. And I’ve got eyes on every staff member, past and present.”
He regards me for a long moment. “Good. Because you’re the only one who can handle this right. The Velvet Vault is your domain. Own it.”
I nod once, turning toward the door.
“And Alessandro?”
I stop, glancing back.
His voice is low, but razor-sharp. “No more messes. The next one we don’t clean up in-house.” If the cops get involved, I lose my club. Then I’m saddled with my inheritance. Gemini Corporation.
The unspoken threat hangs in the air like a noose.
I don’t flinch. “Understood.”
Instead of going home after the stellar meeting with my father, I decide to take Matteo up on his offer. Only instead of coffee, I take a page fromPapà’s playbook, and we end up at a near-empty bar in midtown. I didn’t even realize it was an Irish pub until the bartender’s familiar accent sent my heart into overdrive.
Swirling the full tumbler of whiskey, the ice clinks against the glass. Matty eyes me warily perched on the barstool at my right. This is my second one, and my cousin knows full well I don’t drink much anymore. My tolerance is shit and coupled with the pain meds, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
But after the past few days, I need a release. And seeing as sex isn’t an option, alcohol is the next best thing.
“Is that fiery little redhead going to come after me for letting you get drunk?” Matty smirks before he takes a long pull from his Guiness.
“She’s not my keeper,” I grumble and take another sip. The smooth, caramel liquid slides down my throat. Possibly too easily.
“No, but she’s your something all right.” He clinks the dark bottle against mine. “I haven’t seen you like that with” —he pauses dramatically— “anyone.”
“That’s not true.”
“No? Name one other woman you’ve spent all night wandering the streets for?” He raises a finger to my lips before I can respond. “And I don’t mean a prostitute.”
The glimmer of a smile tugs up the corners of my lips.
“You care about her, Ale. It’s okay to admit it.”
“It’s not okay for so many reasons.”
“Don’t let the chance at love pass you by because you’re scared. Trust me, it’s the worst mistake you’ll ever make.”
I eye my cousin for a second, something about the sharp edge to his tone striking a chord. When had Matteo been in love? How had I missed that? I open my mouth to ask more, but he jumps in before I can get a word out.
“Besides, I’m sure you’re not the first guy to get involved with someone who works for them.”
“It’s not just that…” My jaw tightens, molars grinding. How do I admit to my cousin that I don’t deserve her? That I’m only half a man, and she deserves so much more. That incident with the server at Thanksgiving is permanently etched into my mind. What if I can’t perform…
Despite the fact that I’ve had no problem getting erections around Rory, it doesn’t mean I’ll actually be able to fuck her properly. What if my dick really is broken?
I flag down the bartender. “I’ll take another.”
“Ale,” Matteo scolds.
“I’m fine, cuz. Just let me have one damned day to feel normal again.”
Shaking his head, Matty releases a long-suffering breath. “Fine… But if that naughty little nurse tries to blame this on me, I’m throwing you under the bus.”
“I can handle the tiny tyrant, trust me.”
CHAPTER 31
