Page 28 of Complications

After twenty years, I knew when Matteo was on the edge of a breaking point. Tonight, he was. I’d been in this room dozens of times—maybe more—but today my entire world was centered in it.

“What was the promise?”

“Elio’s dad never wanted to be in the business in the first place. It was just bad luck and circumstances that he married into the business. He was desperate to keep his son out of it. I promised I would. Neither of us knew how much Elio would end up wanting it, and I’ve been working for years to keep my word.”

“How’s that working out?”

“Given how many times you’ve patched his ass up, I’d say it’s working out exactly how you think it is.” Matteo laughed harshly.

He threw himself back in his chair before leaning forward so he could look me directly in the eyes. I didn’t look away. It was too important to blink first.

“Elio isn’t his dad. He has the right to his own place within your family.”

“I don’t fucking appreciate you making that much goddamn sense,” Matteo muttered.

“Can’t say that I really give a shit about that.”

“What do you give a shit about?”

“Elio.”

“Of course.”

“Just admit defeat. It’ll be easier on everyone.”

Matteo’s immediate response involved a single finger. He rolled his eyes at my less-than-intimidated guffaws. In the study, we were on equal footing.

“Isn’t he kind of young for you?” I saw the glint in Matteo’s eyes at the bullshit question.

“Like you and Connor?”

“Fuck you. That’s different,” Matteo said before rolling his eyes again. “Connor has an old soul. And he didn’t have anyone else to depend on.”

“Who does Elio have?”

“He’s family.”

“The same family that shoves him aside?”

Matteo templed his fingers under his chin and let my words land. He’d come around as soon as he figured out I wasn’t budging. Elio was mine, and I wasn’t leaving this house without him. Giving him a proper position in the family was a separate issue.

“Fuck.”

“What’s wrong now?”

“I’m going to have to find him a place.”

“He’s damn good at taking care of the little guy, if that helps.”

Matteo grumbled. I laughed. Elio was leaving with me.

CHAPTER SIX

SIX MONTHS LATER

Elio

“Are you available tomorrow night?” I asked Michel.