Page 43 of Hostile Rival
“I thought you weren’t allowed to smoke indoors.” I tease, taking the blunt and inhaling a lungful of smoke.
“My wife is resting in our suite in the west wing.” He grins. “The twins are sucking up all of her energy. When those little Souzas are born, they’re going to be wild.”
“Of course they will.” I laugh. “Is she coming to the Di Rossi’s with us?”
André shakes his head. “No public appearances. She stays here with twenty-four-hour security and a midwife on standby. I’m showing up on her behalf. You and Mama are strengthening the Souza position in Sicily.”
“Why isn’t Tommy here?”
“He’s in London doing business.” André sets his beer bottle on the counter and looks at me with an amused expression. “By the way, Di Rossi’s daughter is a looker, has royal blood andshe’s single. I bet Mama will push you two together. She’d be a good match. Apparently, you met her recently.”
“Please stop with the matchmaking bullshit. You're worse than Mama now you’ve tied the knot.” I inhale more smoke and hold it in my lungs, exhaling when I speak. “Relationships are off the table when I’m part of The Covenant. Anyway, I’ve only met the people I’m training with.”
“A while ago, the Di Rossi family came to Sin for help…” He reaches across the bar and plucks the blunt from my lips. “Their daughter was held for ransom. Sin asked Gio to get his team involved and sent them in after the girl.” I freeze. “The Di Rossis want to thank us for getting involved and rescuing the heir to their empire. We helped them, and in the future, they’ll help us in return.”
“Giana…Di Rossi?” I mutter, scrubbing my jaw.
André nods. “She’s a pretty little kitten,” he adds. “She’d look hot as fuck in your bed, brother. Just saying.”
“Christ.” I roll my eyes. “Can’t I pretend I’m sick? Or you could tell Mama I’ve gone back to Colombia for business.”
“You know you can’t fool Mama. It’s for one night and then you’ll be back living the life of a hermit with his dick cut off.”
My brother is right. I’ve missed being around him. Plus, I don’t fancy hanging out in the villa, playing mind games with myself and waiting for Dani to return.
The way my stomach churns when I think about her with Oistin, I’d likely punch his teeth out if he made a move on her. Real distance should help me sort my head out.
“Fine, I’ll go, but there’s something important I need you to do for me while Gio is unavailable.”
“You name it, Mat. What do you need?”
18
MATHEUS
It’s after seven.
I’m feeling the warm fuzziness of alcohol in my bloodstream as our chopper lands in front of the Di Rossi country mansion.
Too warm, I loosen the top button on my starched white shirt, tugging at my bow tie.
A line of coke would counterbalance the tiredness, but I couldn’t face the backlash from Giovanni.
Tomorrow I’m Crow again and my commander needs to know I’m taking my new role seriously. So, this evening I’ll paint a smile on my face, charm our new allies, and stay the hell away from their daughter.
The pilot kills the engine and André bounces forward in his customized black and gold tux jacket, ready to disembark.
“You don’t seem yourself tonight, Matheus.” Mama sets her jewel encrusted fingers on my knee. “It’s been so long since we’ve spent quality time together,” she proposes, adjusting the microphone at her mouth. “How about we do something tomorrow? Hire a yacht and cruise the coastline or go on a shopping trip in Milan?”
A warm smile plays on bold red lips that match the flowing gown she wears.
“I’m just tired, Mama. I’ve had a busy few weeks,” I tell her, meeting astute green eyes. “Tomorrow won’t work for me.”
Mama’s security guard jumps out of the cockpit. Once he’s given the all clear, André follows and reaches his hand inside the cabin for Mama to latch onto.
Before accepting, she removes her headset and stares at me as I do the same. “Who is she, Matheus?”
My spine stiffens. “What do you mean?”
