AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Capo, your uncle has arrived. He said he wants to speak to you."
I exchanged a glance with Antonio. Francisco’s unexpected visit was a cause for concern.
We had meticulously kept our dealings separate from my personal life, and his presence here was an anomaly.
"Why would he come here?" Antonio mused softly, his brow furrowed.
I leaned back in my seat, my mind racing with possibilities. "It could be about the recent developments in the organization," I replied, my voice low. "Or he could have heard about Sophia."
Antonio nodded, his gaze thoughtful. The implications of either scenario were significant.
Something urgent had arisen if my uncle was here to discuss the organization's matters.
But if his visit was linked to Sophia, it raised questions about how much he knew and his intentions.
"Let him in." I gestured to my subordinate, who bowed his head and left to fetch my uncle.
As we waited, Antonio swiftly gathered the documents he had spread out, ready to maintain a professional demeanor in front of Francisco.
Soon enough, the door swung open again, and Francisco strolled into the living room with a cheery smile.
His presence alone was enough to cast a shadow over the room, a reminder of the power he held within our family.
"Matteo,mio nipote (my nephew)!” he greeted me jovially as if his arrival was a casual social call rather than a calculated move.
I rose from my seat, acknowledging him with a small bow of my head. "Uncle Francisco,Benvenuto (Welcome).What brings you here?”
Outwardly, there was a welcoming smile on my face, but inwardly, I was seething.
No matter how often I convinced myself that I had to be patient and not blow our cover of false politeness, it still grated on my nerves whenever I had to lower my head for this man and act humble.
Antonio stood up as well, clutching the files in his hands. Despite his clear distaste for my uncle, he lowered his head slightly as a sign of respect.
The protocols of our family's hierarchy demanded such formalities, regardless of personal feelings.
"Oh? I didn't know you had company," Francisco remarked, glancing at Antonio before returning his attention to me.
His smile seemed to carry an undercurrent of curiosity that raised my guard even higher.
I gestured toward Antonio. "This is Antonio,mio fra il mio intimo confidentetello (my most trusted confidant). He assists me in various matters."
Antonio inclined his head respectfully, his face a mask of professionalism. "A pleasure to meet you, Don Francisco."
Francisco nodded in acknowledgment before turning back to me. "I was actually in the neighborhood and thought I'd drop by to discuss a few matters."
Francisco's words were coated with false pleasantries, but I knew his visit was far from a casual drop-in.
As the two of us settled into a conversation with Antonio standing beside me, I couldn't help but analyze every word he said, searching for hidden motives and veiled intentions.
"So, Matteo," my uncle began, leaning back in his chair, his smile never faltering. "I've been hearing some interesting things lately. Rumors, you know how they spread."
I kept my expression neutral, though my guard was up. "Rumors about what, Uncle?"
His eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite decipher.
"About a certain... witness. A potential loose end that might pose a threat to our operations." He casually looked around the room as if admiring the decorations.
I exchanged a swift glance with Antonio, his eyes narrowing slightly. It was clear that my uncle wasn't here for a friendly chat.
