“It doesn’t work that way, Matteo. I’ve branched out, but I will help Don financially. Whenever he needs me, I’ll be with him. So I’m not breaking away from the circuit. If you join me, Don will release you similarly,” said Rafael while Matteo sat in a dilemma. He wouldn’t join in anything illegal but fight for his freedom instead. However, he couldn’t afford to displease Rafael since he was powerful and could help them out in sticky situations. “Right now, I can’t join any other work, Rafael. I know I can’t give it time.” Rafael looked annoyed and stood up abruptly, ready to leave.“In that case, I guess you’re on your own, Matteo. Talk to Don and figure it out. Don’t blame me if they capture you. I’ll be leaving the country very soon. So I cannot protect your family this time.” Both the brothers watched him leave and then slumped into the sofa, realizing the deadly path ahead of them. Marcello opened his door and peered out. Seeing Rafael gone, he came over and sat with them.“I kn
Matteo was silent for a while, thinking over what Don said. His life depended on his reply, and he had to work cautiously. “I will work for you, Don, and help you recover all your financial losses. Will you release me afterward?” Di Salvo didn’t reply, dismissing the topic completely. There was a grave silence in the car as they sped towards suburban Palermo. Having worked for Don, Matteo knew what his silence meant. He wasn’t averse to the idea of releasing him if he performed as per his promise. Matteo swore he would help him recover his money in return for his freedom. He could sense the smug look on Luigi’s face as they entered a palatial house with guards everywhere. It might be their new headquarters!“Roberto, show him to the room next to yours.” Don marched off towards the main building, with Luigi and his men following him. “I haven’t brought my belongings, Don, nor have I informed my folks. They would be worried about me.” Di Salvo stopped in his tracks, his face furious
Matteo drove cautiously, knowing how dangerous his mission was. With so many weapons loaded in his car, he couldn't speed and draw attention to himself. By the time he reached the client’s warehouse, the sun was already up. He delivered the consignment and left in a relaxed state of mind. His first mission was successful, and he was one step closer to freedom. He reached Don’s house later and was applauded for his efforts, much to Luigi’s annoyance. Later in the evening, Don gave him more work. This time, he got little time to plan it out. It was a drugs deal he had to strike with an international drug lord, based in Calabria, the southern tip of Italy. He left immediately for Calabria, but this time, Matteo was doubtful of his success. With Luigi aware of the deal, he had to be extra cautious. This time, he involved Roberto and his friend, Lorenzo, who worked in a warehouse in Calabria. They were about to meet the drug lord at the warehouse, but Roberto changed the venue at the las
Amelia entered her office with a smile on her face, happy that her parents had finally accepted her disinterest in pursuing an MBA. She knew ultimately her dad would induct her into the family business and she would have to slog 24/7 like them. Maybe she would enjoy her internship in GOC Financial Group while she could. The work was enjoyable and so was the ambiance. She had settled down comfortably in the last eight months. It helped to keep herself occupied instead of wallowing in self-pity. Of course, she still missed Matteo, especially at night, but what was the use? He had already forgotten her.In the last few months, her friendship with Ryder and Brandon had strengthened a lot.“Hey, Amy! Guess who’s here today?” asked Ryder, his eyes twinkling with excitement as he approached her cubicle. “Who? I’m bad at guessing!” she chuckled, switching on her desktop. “Brooklyn!” Amy gaped at her friend, realizing who Brooklyn was. She was Brandon’s twin, whom Ryder was in love with. “I
Amelia gaped at her friend, her mind jumbled up in a state of confusion. “Why do you need to marry me, Ryder? If you want to move on, do so with your career. We don’t love one another. Our wedding will be a disaster.” She tried her best to make him see sense. How could she marry him when she loved someone else? “No, Amy. You don’t understand at all. If I’m single, I’ll end up disrupting Brooklyn’s life and mine as well. I’ll either kill myself or kill Nikolas and end up in prison. Please help me. Marry me, Amy.” Amelia was in the biggest dilemma in her life. She understood Ryder’s urgency, but her heart battled against the marriage. “You know I love Matteo. I can’t do justice to this marriage, Ryder. We can’t have a normal relationship, a stable marriage when every second I’m waiting for Matteo.” Ryder looked torn, and helpless, ready to convince her somehow. “I’ll release you if Matteo ever comes for you. I promise you that, Amy.” Amy chewed her lips, considering his proposal. S
“Amy, can we postpone the wedding date to a month? I’m sure Brooklyn will want to marry me once she gives birth. Nikolas had forgotten her and she would want a father figure for the twins,” said Ryder, and Amelia nodded, not at all keen to marry him. Something inside her prompted her not to go ahead with the wedding, yet she couldn’t back out because of their family’s involvement. “I’m in no hurry to marry you, Ryder. You’re free to opt out completely and save me the trouble.” “I can’t. My uncle, aunt, and your parents are going overboard with this wedding. I don’t have any say in the matter now.” “It’s better to opt out now than when the preparations are through.” “How can I opt out now when I’m not sure about Brooklyn’s decision? What if she declines to marry me? What if she reunites with Nikolas? I would need to move on, Amy.” Upset, he stormed out of the cafeteria without having his lunch. This has been going on for the last few months. They argued whenever they were together.
Amelia didn’t know if she did the right thing in agreeing to Ryder’s plea. While everyone around her busied themselves with the wedding preparations, she was in a state of shock. Would marrying Ryder mean she would have to forget her first and only love? She looked up to see her mom enter the room. “Don’t look so dejected! You will start a new life with Ryder after two weeks. Cheer up and start packing up.” Amelia nodded, not sharing her mom’s enthusiasm. “Can’t I continue living here? I don’t want to go, mom. Why can’t Ryder move in with us?” Her mom shook her head with a sigh. “It’s the norm, Amy. You have to move in with him after the wedding. There’s no use fighting over it. Try to accept what God has blessed you with,” said her mom, but Amelia shook her head vehemently. She didn’t consider this a blessing at all. “It’s not a blessing, mom. I can’t ever forget Matteo. He lives in my heart, in every cell of my body. This marriage will end in disaster!” Her mom sighed and pulle
Selling the last car off, Matteo reached home to see his family packed up and ready to leave. He would join them in a few days after selling the office space they owned. For the last thirty-five years, his father had run his car rental business from here, but now Matteo had no other option but to sell it. It had been almost a year since he returned home, taking a break from Di Salvo’s work. It had been the worst year of his life. Two weeks after he returned, his father suffered a brain stroke and had to be hospitalized for almost a fortnight. They brought him home, but he was bedridden for almost ten months until he passed away in his sleep. Ever since he had been busy selling off the business and their cars since his mom didn’t want to stay here any longer. They wanted to go to Genoa, where Marco and Viola lived. Di Salvo had sent his men once in this span but didn’t pressurize him to return. Matteo had almost forgotten about him, helping his family in their time of need. “Have yo