Chapter 3 Matteo

MATTEO'S POV

My head tipped back against the hospital bed, eyes fixed on the ceiling as the sound of the heart monitor beeping steadily irritated me even further.

I had been stuck here for over twenty-four hours, trapped in this sterile building the family called a "private hospital."

The bullet had almost been fatal but thankfully I was out of danger but the doctor said I would be discharged by evening. I hated it here already.

There was a knock-two short raps. Familiar. I could feel my jaw clench as the door opened.

I already knew who it was.

Don Enzo Romano, my father, walked in, flanked by two of his usual guards that never left his side, his face was hard and I could feel the atmosphere in the room became thick with the tension.

The door shut behind him, and he barely spared me a glance before muttering, "Out. Leave us."

The guards didn't hesitate, they simply bowed and walked out, the door shut behind them.

The moment we were alone, silence descended heavily on us both.

I didn't move and he didn't sit on the low visitors chair that was beside my bed.

"I assume you know what I'm going to say," he began, voice as cold and collected as it had been since I was a kid.

I didn't respond for a moment, I just let my lips curve slightly, bitter and tired. "You're going to berate me for getting shot. For 'shaming the family' and for putting the Romano name in the mouth of every other bastard in this city."

His eyes narrowed and I could tell he wasn't exactly pleased by my accurate description. Too bad. "Good. Saves me the effort." He muttered.

He stepped closer, his gaze heavy. "Do you know how many phone calls I've answered in the last twenty-four hours? How many allies think we're 'weak' now because my son-my heir-was nearly gunned down in our own event like a damn rookie?"

I laughed under my breath, shaking my head slightly. "I was ambushed, not incompetent."

"Don't speak." He snapped at me, his voice cutting through like a whip.

I scowled, sitting forward slightly while trying to ignore the fresh ache in my abdomen.

"That stunt at the gala has thrown off negotiations with three syndicates," he continued. "And to top it all off, you still think you can run this empire with your arrogance and that mouth."

"And yet," I said calmly, "I'm the one bleeding in this bed, not constantly spying on his son while refusing to do something too"

That earned me a long, hard stare from him then he scoffed. "You're lucky you didn't die, Matteo but perhaps you should be more concerned about the next few days."

I looked up, my brows furrowed. "Why?"

He straightened his cufflink. "Because the event is underway."

My brow twitched. "What event?"

"The bride selection."

I laughed again, but it didn't reach my eyes. "I told you, I said it more times than I can count, I'm not interested in parading women like cattle just to choose one."

Don Enzo didn't laugh. Instead, he gave me the last blow-calmly, without flinching. "Then let me make this clear. I've announced my retirement. Publicly. And I've signed the legal transition documents."

My blood ran cold. "What?"

"In my will," he continued, his voice devoid of any emotion. "you take control of the Romano estate but only on one condition. You marry within the next three months. If not, everything-everything-passes to Rico."

I stared at him, stunned. The room seemed to spin as I tried to come to terms to what he was saying. "My bastard half-brother? You would give the empire to him?"

"If you continue to shame this family and act like a boy instead of a leader," he said, eyes locked on mine, "then yes. Gladly."

I clenched my fists under the sheets. Marriage. I didn't believe in it. Especially not one arranged by my father for the sake of more power but I wasn't about to hand over my birthright to someone who didn't earn it.

"...Fine," I said, my voice tight. "I'll do it."

Don Enzo gave a small nod, like he knew I would. He turned toward the door.

"One week," he said. "Impress me."

Then he was gone.

********************

A WEEK LATER

The sun was high in the sky but not scorching as we all gathered in the garden of the Romanos Villa. I sat at the forefront, flanked closely by trusted guards while I looked at the women who had just arrived for the competition that would take the span of two weeks.

They called it a competition but I called it a joke.

I sat at the head of the table, my eyes distant, ankle crossed, bored out of my mind.

They were all here. Some daughters of mafia syndicates who thought marrying into the Romanos was a way of pushing their family up the power ladder. Others were just city-bred wannabes in expensive shoes who wanted a taste of the power that the underground business had to offer if they were picked.

They were all pretending not to look at me and they were all failing woefully.

"Left side," my bodyguard, Theo, leaned down and whispered. "Two of them are already plotting who gets to speak to you first after the party. I overheard them."

I didn't react and he continued.

"They're also very attractive. The blonde one is the daughter of Luca, biggest drug cartel," he added, amused. "Should I keep track for you?"

I was about to tell him to shut up when I glanced up idly and stopped breathing for a second.

Off to the far side of the garden, near the orchids stood a woman with her dark hair down, not even sparing me a glance. She wasn't laughing but wasn't talking. She was watching another girl across from her with a strange focus.

But I saw her eyes. Blue.

That was what made me freeze and almost fall out my chair.

Theo straightened beside me. "You good?"

I didn't answer because I knew those eyes.

I had seen them before but under a mask.

Her.

The girl from that night. The one who saved me.

The one who had plagued my mind for a whole week now. The one that got me intrigued.

"I need her name," I muttered under my breath.

Theo blinked and looked around. "Who?"

"The one by the orchids. Blue eyes. Black hair. Strapless gown." I said breathlessly, unable to tear my gaze away.

Theo glanced discreetly. "Hold on."

I stared at her as he pulled out a tablet and began scrolling through the registry. My pulse had picked up for the first time all day.

If it was her... if it really was her... Then this competition was already over before it could even begin.