I have to warn Matteo, make sure he doubles up on security or something. He’s in danger and it’s all my fault. I’ll never forgive myself if something happens to him.
“You’re leaving?” Fadden questions unhappily.
“Yes. But I appreciate you reaching out to me. I promise, I’ll set up another meeting and then we can discuss other things.”
He watches warily as I get to my feet. “Lindsay.”
“I’ll see you later.”
I start to walk away but suddenly there’s a scrape of a chair sliding backward and I’m falling to the ground.
“Wait,” Fadden calls, stepping forward and gripping my wrist. “You have to let me help you if you’re in any trouble, Lindsay,” he says intensely.
I try and fail to wrench my hand out of his grasp, staring up at him in panic. Especially when my gaze lands on the newcomer that walks into the café.
“Edward, you have to let me go if you want to stay alive.”
He frowns, eyebrows rising in confusion.
“I believe you heard her loud and clear,” Matteo says from behind Fadden, eyes dark with violence and rage.
I watch as Fadden releases me and turns around before immediately growing pale.
“So you recognize me? Good. That means you’ll know exactly who it is that sent you to an early grave,” Matteo growls. “How dare you touch what’s mine?”
My jaw tightens and I blow out a quick breath before moving to stand between the two men. I face Matteo, placing a hand on his chest to stop him from advancing.
“It’s okay. Let’s just go,” I say softly.
He doesn’t step back. He continues to look at Fadden with a gaze so terrifying, I’m surprised the man is still standing so still. When I notice his fists tightening, I’m spurred on by panic.
We’re in public and it’s only early evening. If Matteo does anything, every single patron in here will see and who knows what will happen then.
“Matteo, let’s go,” I repeat. “If you punch him, I won’t forgive you.”
“I’m going to do so much more than punch him,” he says darkly.
“No! You won’t.”
There must be something in my voice because he looks down at me with narrowed eyes.
“You’re protecting him?” he grits out.
“No, I’m protecting you. Now let’s go!”
He allows me to push him backward and then he’s grabbing my hand and pulling me out of the café on his own. Once we’re outside, I exhale in relief, hurriedly making sure Crater didn’t stay behind to deliver on Matteo’s threats.
Fadden is still inside and the terror in his eyes was unmistakable. I guess he’s familiar with the Vitales.
“You should have let me take care of that asshole,” Matteo murmurs, rage still sliding across his expression.
“He’s an FBI agent. That wouldn’t have ended up well for you.”
“He wouldn’t have been able to do a damn thing,” he states. “Especially not if he wants to stay alive and continue working for us.”
The words land with a dull thud in my chest.
“No…” I say slowly. “He works with the FBI.”
