Page 34 of Third Crime's A Charm
“Really?” Matteo hummed as he considered. “Ask him in a month or so. He’s nearly fed up enough to leave but he’ll be burnt out after he hands in this paper he’s working on. He’s already threatened to quit and said it will be his magnum opus or a steaming pile of…” he widened his eyes suggestively, making her laugh.
“The poor little genius. I’ll pass that on to Maximilian and see what we can do to rescue Elio.”
“Rescue him?” Matteo loved Elio more than the sun and would die for him, but there would be consequences. “Who’s going to save Manhattan from Eli? See what you can do to contain him while he’s here,” he advised, then left Muriel to pack his things.
While he wasthrilledat the thought of Elio coming to New York, Matteo couldn’t riskanyof his brothers discovering the truth about him and Truman. They’d be furious for coming to terms with the relationship just to find out it was a coverfor a heist. All they cared about was that Matteo was happy. Theywould have every right to feel manipulated if they learned they were worried sick over a scam.
Knowing that it was and that Truman would be happy to continue the charade after the heist made Matteo feel cheap and shallow. He thought about backing out while he was zipping his suits into a hanging bag. His family would forgive him and protect him but Matteo would never be able to return to the U.S. and he’d have to “retire” from polite society. He could live with that but what about Truman?
All in all, Matteo was having fun, minus the betrayal, emotional turmoil, and the damage to his face. The monetary value and the fame didn’t impress Matteo, but he was already anticipating the rush of taking the star. Being one of the few people in the world to see and touch it in a quarter of a century was its own reward, in addition to the actual reward.
UnlessMatteo decided to keep the star for himself and run. Then, he’d have the honor of handing over the star, a million Euros, and the upper hand with Truman. His instincts warned that he had more to lose and that he should wait to see what Truman did.
They could be serious and Matteo could be happy with Truman, if they could just trust each other.
Fourteen
Truman took an early flight for his last meeting with Marty in Chicago and would be on his way back to New York as soon as it was over. Despite Truman’s intentions to keep his distance, a final meeting was necessary before Marty left for New York. But both were aware of the risk Truman was taking, returning so soon.
At the time, Truman had believed Sage Bradley was worth the risk. The former client and artist was beautiful and a genuinely charming man. Dating the ex-husband of a famously vicious and prolific hitman had appealed to Truman’s ego and his pride had made it hard to walk away when he was threatened.
Fate and cooler heads intervened and Truman found the solution to his problem with Marty in New York. With the birthday party six days away and the meeting with the feds the following Monday, Truman was ready to put his old life and Marty behind him. He was confident he could make a fresh start with Matteo once the star was back in Austria and Marty was in jail.
“Let’s get this over with,” Truman said to himself as the limo pulled into the private side drive of a tasteful, five-bedroom brick home in the historic Jackson Park Highlands district. The driver got out to get the door and two of Marty’s bodyguards were waiting to pat Truman down and check his briefcase when he entered through the kitchen. “How’s Malinda, Ben?” Truman asked the older guard.
“She’s good. That doctor you recommended was a godsend.”
“That’s great news!” Truman clasped his hand and received a quick wink from Ben, signaling that they still had an understanding.
“This is Kyle,” Ben said with a nod at the younger man. “His brother’s the knucklehead you helped get out of that hijacking mess a few months ago.”
“He’s real grateful!” Kyle said as he pumped Truman’s hand excitedly. “He says he won’t hit anymore trucks and that he’s moving goods, instead of stealing them.”
Truman shushed and shook his head. “I probably don’t want to know about that either but tell him to give me a call if he ever needs help again.”
“I’ll tell him,” Kyle said, then looked around before leaning in. “And if there’s ever any way I can repay you.”
“Shhh! It’s always good to have friends on the inside but it’s better if we keep that between us.”
Kyle nodded quickly. “Got it!” he said and Ben chuckled in agreement.
“You don’t have to worry about him, sir. He’s a good kid and he knows I’ll cut his tongue out if he can’t keep it in his mouth.”
“Yup!” Kyle said, cheerful as he handed Truman his briefcase. “Everything looks good.”
“Let me hang your coat,” Ben said as he helped Truman out of his overcoat.
“A pleasure as always, gentlemen,” Truman said with a salute and went to join Marty upstairs.
He was redressing after his weekly checkup, zipping up the hoodie on his tracksuit when Truman walked in. “You’re still in one piece,” Marty noted and went to his bed. A nurse helped him lay back and put a tray across his lap. She laid out his paper and handed Marty the television remote before excusing herself. Marty waited for the door to close behind her and turned on the TV to ESPN so there would be background noise. “Didn’t take long for you to move on, though. What’s up with you and this prince everyone’s talking about?”
“Are you my mother?” Truman’s face twisted. “When have I ever discussed my personal life with you?” But he was pleased that Marty had heard and was curious.
“You should bring him to the party. I want to get a look at this prince and see if he’s as pretty as they say he is.”
Bingo.
“I’ll think about it but mind your own fucking business.”
