“A Don Doesn’t Date Fat Girls,” She Spat. He Locked The Door “Watch Me Make You My Wife”
Chapter 4
The truth came out the next morning.
Or at least part of it.
Matteo sat across from Bianca at the breakfast table.
Between them was the old photograph.
“My father knew you?”
“Yes.”
“And he asked you to protect me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Matteo didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, he poured coffee.
Bianca’s patience broke.
“You don’t get to keep giving me half-answers.”
He looked at her.
“Your father knew his business partners were stealing from him.”
“That doesn’t explain you.”
“It does.”
“No, it doesn’t.”
Matteo leaned back.
“He owed money.”
Bianca frowned.
“How much?”
“Seven million.”
Her eyes widened.
“That isn’t possible.”
“It is.”
“My father owned three hotels.”
“Assets don’t matter when your liabilities are hidden.”
Bianca went silent.
Matteo continued.
“He discovered that Russo was using his companies to move illegal money.”
“And?”
“Your father wanted out.”
She understood.
“And they killed him.”
Matteo said nothing.
That was answer enough.
Bianca’s face went pale.
“Why didn’t you tell the police?”
“Because the evidence disappeared.”
“Convenient.”
“Yes.”
She pushed away from the table.
“I don’t know what to believe.”
Matteo stood.
“You don’t have to believe me.”
“Then why am I here?”
“Because someone wants you dead.”
Bianca looked at him.
“And you?”
He held her gaze.
“I want you alive.”
The simplicity of his answer hurt more than she expected.
Later that afternoon, Matteo took Bianca to a private office.
A wall of files stood behind the desk.
He opened one.
Inside were photographs of her father.
Bank records.
Company transfers.
Names.
Dates.
Bianca sat down.
“How long have you been investigating?”
“Six years.”
“Since he died?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Matteo’s jaw tightened.
“Because I failed him once.”
“What do you mean?”
He looked away.
“I was supposed to meet him the night he died.”
Bianca froze.
“You knew?”
“I was late.”
“Why?”
“An ambush.”
She stared.
“What happened?”
“Three of my men died.”
Matteo’s voice became quieter.
“Your father didn’t.”
He paused.
“He was already dead when I arrived.”
Bianca felt tears fill her eyes.
She had spent six years believing her father had died of a heart attack.
Now she was learning that someone had murdered him.
Matteo reached into the file.
He pulled out a small envelope.
“This was found among his possessions.”
Bianca opened it.
Inside was a note.
Only one sentence.
Protect Bianca from the De Luca family.
She looked up.
“What?”
Matteo’s face remained unreadable.
“Your father believed my family was involved.”
“And was he right?”
“I don’t know.”
“Then why are you helping me?”
Matteo stepped closer.
“Because if my family had something to do with his death, I will be the one to uncover it.”
Bianca stared at him.
For the first time, she saw something beyond the Don.
A man carrying six years of guilt.
Then a security alarm sounded.
Matteo instantly turned toward the door.
A guard’s voice came through the speaker.
“Boss, someone breached the west perimeter.”
Matteo looked at Bianca.
“Stay here.”
She stood.
“No.”
He frowned.
“I want to see.”
“This isn’t a movie.”
“No.”
She met his eyes.
“This is my life.”
Matteo stared at her for a long second.
Then he nodded.
“Fine.”
He opened a drawer.
Inside was a gun.
He took it.
Then looked at her.
“Stay behind me.”
This time, Bianca didn’t argue.
