Page 21 of When We Fall: Part Two
Alessio swept forward and helped Bianca to her feet. She went without a word or protest. I narrowed my eyes at that. I knew Bianca a little. She was a fucking hellcat on a good day. I’d say Matteo was wrong. Dominic wasn’t plotting his death. She’d already done that, and Dominic was waiting for her signal.
“You do realize she’s going to try to kill you, right?” I asked.
“I know.” Matteo sat back in his seat and smiled. “I look forward to it.”
“She’s pregnant with your… nephews.”
“I’m aware.” He lifted his cigar to his lips and smoked. He blew out a ring and took a sip of his scotch.
“Why are you doing this, Father? Why are you tormenting Dominic so much?”
“Because Dominic has tormented me since his fucking birth,” Matteo snarled softly. “Carmine didn’t just take my family from me. He also took Annabella and fucked her, as is our tradition, and made a fucking fool of me. He forced me to raise a child that wasn’t mine while driving my own away. Dominic is a reminder of all the hell I’ve endured.”
I was quiet for a moment. “Did you ever love Annabella?”
Klaus shifted behind Matteo.
“I did. Not like Delilah, but enough. I could have made it work, but looking at her after Carmine knocked her up put a bit of a damper on those feelings. I tried. I tried hard to be a good man, but I guess it’s just not in me when it comes to betrayal.”
“Dominic never betrayed you. You’re the only father he ever knew--”
“He is nothing to me.” Matteo’s voice was a deadly whisper as he smoked more.
“Where is Annabella now?” I asked gently. I had no idea where Matteo’s wife went. Some say she was dead. Others say she ran and left Dominic behind. No one knew the real story.
“She was let go. In a way, that makes her dead.” Matteo stubbed out his cigar and took another drink.
“She’s alive? Does Dom know?”
“Yes. And no, he doesn’t. It was part of the deal Carmine cut with her. Always letting my women go. She’s my ex-wife. My always fucking never.” He shook his head in disgust.
“Well, what will happen to Bianca?”
“I’m hoping Dominic is stupid and comes for her. Then I’ll have reason to kill them all.” He rose to his feet. “I have a job for you.”
“What is it?” I asked wearily, knowing this fight wasn’t going to go anywhere.
“Find Drake. I need you two to do some digging for me. I’m looking for Bianca’s father. Nathanial Walker.Anatoly.Jonathan Lawrence. The snake goes by many names. See what you can dig up. Bring it to me when you have something.”
“Consider it done.” I got to my feet. I wasn’t doing fuck-all anyway with Rosalie being distant.
“How isbel fiore?” Matteo’s voice changed to gentle.
“Good,” I said, turning back to him. “I assume.”
“It didn’t go to plan?”
I shook my head. “No. I-I guess she doesn’t want to… can’t. I don’t know. Doesn’t matter. I’m moving on.”
Matteo raised his brows at that. “Are you?”
“It doesn’t make sense to keep punishing myself. She told me I deserve to be happy. To love and be loved. I believe that, so I guess… I guess I’ll move on and will hopefully be able to have that someday.”
Sadness swept over Matteo’s face before he nodded. “I understand. It is difficult to love what you can never have.”
I nodded, my throat tight. “Just, the Fox thing… You promise he won’t die?”
“I promise you that the decision is Fox’s to make. Should he push the button, that’s on him. I only answer prayers, and if that is his, so be it.”
