Page 259 of The One
Instinctively, I widen my stance, refusing to be pushed back.
Haven’t we just proven we work better together?
I get that he wants to protect me, but I want to protect him too.
Teo’s mouth tightens, his displeasure clear, but his eyes never leave the stranger lounging on the sofa.
“Who the fuck are you?” he growls through gritted teeth, his grip on the gun firm and steady.
The guy chuckles, unbothered, and jumps to his feet in a fluid motion. He can’t be much older than twenty, but he carries himself like a man who owns the world, confidence rolling off him in waves. There’s an air of authority about him, not unlike my husband’s, but where Teo is sharp, controlled and measured, this guy is all flamboyant arrogance.
“Is that any way to greet your brother?” he asks, a grin stretching across his face.
Teo’s jaw flexes. “I only have one brother, and he’s no longer with us.”
“Yeah, I heard.” The guy tilts his head, examining Teo like he’s an amusing puzzle. “I would have liked to meet my oldest brother, the fierce and mighty Gualtiero De Marco. But it wasn’t meant to be. Unfortunate timing, really.”
I step forward, unable to keep silent. “If you’re Mateo’s brother, why point a gun at him?”
Teo stiffens beside me, his hand twitching as if resisting the urge to yank me back. But I’m already locked in place, because the moment the stranger’s gaze collides with mine, my breath catches.
His eyes, they’re the same shade of brown as Teo’s. As Tiero’s. The same shape. The same piercing depth.
“That’s an excellent question, dearest Mariella. Or can I call you Mari?” His lips curl, amused. “We are family, after all.”
“Are we?” My voice is ice. “How are you related to Mateo? What do you want from us?”
“Well,” he drawls, “we share the same father. That makes us half-brothers, and—”
“That’s a lie!” Teo’s voice cracks through the room like a whip, his fury barely contained. He steps closer to intimidate this little shit, but the other man doesn’t even flinch.
If anything, he looks like he’s enjoying himself.
“I get it,” he says easily. “Hard to fathom that your perfectpapàwould sire another child. But you don’t really think he stayed celibate after your mother’s death, do you? I wasn’t exactly planned, but here I am nevertheless.”
That cocky grin reappears, like he relishes the chaos he’s causing.
“Trust me, I wasn’t thrilled about it either when I learned the truth about who my biological father was a few weeks ago. But I’ve come to recognize the benefits.”
“Which are what?” Teo hisses.
“A legitimate claim to the De Marco empire.” He shrugs, like it’s the most obvious thing in the world. “From what I gathered overhearing my dear aunt just then, you’re no longer interested in it.”
Teo and I exchange a look. What the hell?
“Aunt?” Teo asks. “Sofia Molinaro is your aunt?”
The guy laughs. “I know, right? Isn’t this the best soap opera?”
Teo’s expression is pure stone. “Niccolo Molinaro was your grandfather?”
“Duh. If Sofia Molinaro is my aunt, then obviously her father was my grandfather.”
His casual arrogance actually makes me chuckle. Teo pinches the bridge of his nose.
“I’ll admit, I didn’t realize what a crazy bitch she was. But damn, was she effective. The troops she rallied to sabotage your new activities? I was impressed.” He purses his lips, giving an approving nod.
Sofia was behind all the trouble Teo’s been dealing with? How the hell did she pull that off? I really underestimated her. I should have known something was up when she called me out of the blue.
