“Come to the point, Costello. Why have you abducted my fiancée? What do you want from me?” Matteo demanded, while the mafia man dragged a chair and sat in front of him. He watched Matteo closely for a second and then asked his men to leave the room. After they left, he turned towards Matteo. “Luigi has abducted Carlozzi, our boss. We have used all our resources but haven’t found where he has kept our boss imprisoned. I want you to join Cartello della Vendetta and help us rescue him.” Matteo gaped at the man and his impossible demand. “I can’t help you with that. I used to work for Di Salvo when he was alive. I know nothing about Luigi. Moreover, I’ve left the mafia circuit behind. Please find other ways to get to your boss. So where is my fiancée? I want you to release her.” Costello fisted his hands, annoyed with his non-cooperation. “That’s not an option, Matteo. You’re our only hope now. Your fiancée is safe, but I can only release her if you co-operate with us. Help me rescue C
“Why are we escaping, Matteo? Can’t you prove that you’re innocent?” asked Amelia while helping him pack up. “We aren’t escaping the cops. We’re escaping from Costello. He can attack us anytime and kill us, Emilia! This man doesn’t fear a soul nor does he have an ounce of mercy in him.” Amelia’s heart constricted with fear but she was doubtful if they would be safe in Italy. “They can easily seek us out in Genoa. Can’t they?” “Yes, they can. We are going there to check up on my family. Once I ensure their safety, we will hide somewhere for a few days. I’m sure the cops will arrest them soon.” Amelia nodded and helped him with renewed energy. They had to escape before Costello finds them. “I just hope they get arrested soon.” “Do you want to go back to your parents’ house, Emilia? The journey ahead will be quite dangerous,” said Matteo, looking deeply into her eyes. He didn’t want to force her into this. Of course, he knew of the impending storm but he had never expected Costello
“I faced the same after I called Rafael. One of Luigi’s rival gang members kidnapped Emilia. They wanted me to join them to rescue their boss, who’s under Luigi’s custody,” said Matteo. “Oh! Do you think Rafael is giving away our information?” asked Marcello, having never liked his cousin. “Maybe not intentionally. Maybe his phone is being tapped.” Amelia looked around the room his Mama wanted them to occupy. It was cozy and clean, and she wheeled her luggage inside.“So what did the threat calls say?” asked Matteo, wondering who could have contacted his family. “There were always disturbances in the line and I could hardly make out much. A raspy, muffled voice always asked about your whereabouts. He threatened that you’ll be killed if I didn’t give him the information he wanted.” Matteo frowned at his brother. “Did he say he would kill me if you didn’t spill the information he needed?” “No, he said you’d be killed. He didn’t mention by whom!” Matteo frowned since it made no sen
The whole family was ready and waiting to move to a different location, but Matteo didn’t receive an update from Officer Gorreto. “Why hasn’t he called yet?” “This place is quite safe. Why can’t we stay here?” asked Viola, not understanding the gravity of the situation. “It is safe but if Costello strikes, the guards won’t stand a chance,” said Matteo, but he could feel her displeasure at being moved out. The doorbell rang, and they looked at one another. Who could it be? Matteo went towards the door and peered outside through the eyehole. He felt relieved to see the security guard carrying a parcel. He opened the door and looked at the parcel in his hands. “There’s a parcel for Matteo Ricci.” He looked at Matteo with a pale face. “I am Matteo Ricci. Who is this parcel from? Who gave it to you to deliver so late in the night?” Matteo was immediately on high alert since he wasn’t expecting anything. It could be a bomb or something sent by Costello’s men. “I’m not sure, Mr. Ricci.
For the next few days, Matteo was extremely busy with the legal formalities necessary for witnesses. Both of them couldn’t contact their family or friends until the investigation was over and the mafia gangs were arrested. Matteo’s new identification documents arrived. The cops renamed him Leandro Rossi, a resident of Florence, Italy. Even Amelia had her new disguise and identification ready. Her new name was Sierra Brown Rossi, a resident of Seattle and wife of Leandro Rossi. Their wedding was coming up in the weekend but none of them were looking forward to it. “Won’t we go to church?” asked Amelia when they lay down on the bed to sleep. She was upset to see Matteo stressed out every single day. The investigation had started, and no one knew what the criminals would do next. Could the police provide them with adequate protection? Therefore, Matteo hardly got time to interact with her. The whole day, he had to be with the cops at their headquarters. It was a lonely life for Amelia.
His Mama hugged them close, unable to control the tears from streaming down her cheeks. “I’m so happy to be here on your special day!” “I’m so thankful you could make it, Mama! Our marriage would be incomplete without your blessings,” said Matteo, wiping her eyes. “I still will miss your wedding lunch, bro!” said Marcello, wrapping his brother in a warm embrace.“I’ll treat you someday.” They walked over to the altar while Marco spoke to the police officers regarding the case. Viola admired her wedding dress. “It's so pretty. Where did you buy it from?” “I didn’t. An officer got it for me.” “I wish they had informed us earlier. We could have helped you get ready!” said Viola. “Matteo helped me actually,” she admitted shyly. “Aww! That’s so cute!” “Yes, I’m happy that you’re with Matteo, Emilia. You give him the zeal to fight against these criminals. I pray to God every day, that you succeed in your mission soon.” “Thank you, Mama. I hope it happens soon.” “It will. Have fa
“Oh, don’t move! I’ll be right back!” He pressed a hard kiss to her mouth and eased off the bed to find the stash of condoms he had packed up. “Where are you going?” She watched him with a frown. “We can’t afford a pregnancy now, right?” Realization dawned on her and she watched him take out a pack from the overnighter. “Yeah, right!” Of course, they couldn’t afford a pregnancy right now. It would complicate matters unnecessarily. They wouldn’t want their child to be born under such circumstances. Matteo returned to the bed, ripped the foil open, and sheathed his painfully hard erection. She opened her arms out to him and he eased on top of her only to trail kisses down her throat to her breast. He didn’t want this day to end! He wanted to make it the perfect wedding day for her. Maybe he could plan something special for her in the night. “Matteo,” she whispered in urgency.“Yes, my Emilia,” he said in a husky whisper. “What are you waiting for?” He chuckled at her urgency and p
Three Years LaterMatteo entered his shop and smiled at his team. They had stuck with him through thick and thin, and battled all hardships. Even when he had returned to New York under the protection of the US Marshals Service, they were there by his side. He had expected them to close the shop down but later found out that they were all working inside every day, relentlessly for him. They were operating discreetly, taking orders from known sources only. It earned them enough to run the shop smoothly without giving them away. Matteo was indebted to them for upholding his dream. “Last night the FBI and the DIA had raided the Cartello della Vendetta's secret hideout and arrested every member of their gang, including Costello,” said Matteo with relief. It was a top-secret mission, and Matteo just heard about its success from Derek Walsh. In the last three years, Derek, Tim, and Stanley had become their pillar of support, protecting them effectively against every threat. It was because