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Antonio spared a glance at his injured arm and then back at the road, his expression unwavering.
"It's just a scratch," he replied calmly. "I’ll tend to it when we reach a safe place."
I bit my lip, still concerned, but said nothing as the adrenaline wore off, and I slumped in my seat.
As much as I wanted to know what the fuck had happened, I kept quiet, processing the fact that I had almost died today.
Chapter 38
Matteo
After leaving Sophia in her room, I went downstairs and out of the house. Antonio was waiting by the car, and I approached him with a sense of urgency.
"Antonio," I said firmly, "I need you to stay here and watch over Sophia."
Antonio, always vigilant and loyal, looked concerned. "Don Matteo, are you sure? You're heading to the meeting, and I don't like the feeling I have about this."
I sighed, my instincts telling me that something was amiss. "I can't shake the feeling that this meeting might be a trap," I admitted. "That's why I need you here, protecting Sophia and our unborn child."
Antonio leaned against the car, his expression conflicted. "If you believe it's a trap, Don Matteo, shouldn't I be by your side?"
I patted his shoulder reassuringly. "Preserving the lives of Sophia and our child is my top priority, Antonio. Besides, I need you to keep an eye on things here."
Reluctantly, Antonio acquiesced, and I entered the car. As I drove toward the De Luca household, where the meeting would occur, my thoughts spun.
What was my uncle calling this meeting for? What was the true purpose behind it?
My unease gnawed at me, and I couldn't help but wonder if my instincts would be right.
I arrived at the De Luca household, a sprawling mansion that oozed opulence and grandeur.
The mansion was a testament to the De Luca family's wealth and power, imposing structure and meticulously manicured gardens.
Francisco's men were scattered throughout the compound, indicating tight security.
As I made my way inside, the interior of the mansion was no less impressive. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm, golden glow across the marble floors.
The room where the meeting was to take place was vast, with a long, ornate table.
I could see that other heads of various mafia families had already arrived, their cars parked in the courtyard.
The room was divided, with Francisco's allies seated on one side of the table. These allies were a motley crew of individuals with agendas and ambitions.
Some were old allies of my father's father, while others were new faces in the ever-shifting landscape of power and influence.
My allies were on the opposite side of the table, loyal to me and my vision for the family.
As I took my seat among them, I greeted them warmly, acknowledging their unwavering support, but when I turned my attention to the other side of the table, where my enemies were seated, my greeting was noticeably cooler, laced with a thinly veiled tension.
The room was a powder keg of rivalries and alliances, and I couldn't help but wonder what this meeting would bring.
As we settled into our respective seats, the tension in the room was palpable.
It was a strange feeling to be back in this house where I was supposed to live with Sophia and our child, but Francisco's presence had made that impossible.
Suddenly, the grand doors at the end of the room swung open, and Francisco De Luca made his grand entrance. He strode in with self-assured arrogance, eyes scanning the room as if he owned every inch of it.
"Good evening, gentlemen," he greeted with a smirk, his hands outstretched in a show of false camaraderie.
