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Chapter 4

MATTEO'S POV~

"He was lost never to be found."

Five months, two weeks and three days. That's how long I've been away from home.

Home, the idea of the word seemed foreign to me. I used to know a boy. A boy that collected stars in his eyes. His smile could light up any gloomy day and steal the sorrow away. His glassy eyes were the color of sunshine at day and a soothing grey at night.

That boy went to sleep to the comforting sounds of his mom's voice and woke up to her smile.

That boy was there, in every surface and corner of the mansion he called home. His screams were collected within the walls and his footprints never left the halls.

Then One day, that little boy vanished and was never found. In his stead came darkness lurking around his innocence. That boy became a man. Spending the night time as a terror instead of a reminder for dawn like he once was.

That little boy vanished when his mother left.

I was far too gone into the underworld to crave a taste of heaven. The one time I gave myself that chance, my heart was ripped apart again. The weight of that moment of hurt crashed down on me, sending me even deeper than the underground.

I Looked out of the window into the streets of Milan. I didn't think I was going to be back home this soon. But I was summoned, a call that I couldn't pass over. I watched as the Limo drove through the huge gates into the long driveway that lead to the mansion. This was where that little boy got lost and this man was found. As a kid, I was allowed to play anywhere here but outside. There was more than enough space for a kid to play. I recall running down through the greens on every side, pulling pranks and hiding away from the many nannies that watched me. I was quite rebellious as a kid. There was no other kid to play with me so I took turns of hide and seek with the guards and maids, running around the hallways.

Most times she joined us but never for too long.

"Boss" Leonardo called from the driver's seat before stepping out to open my door. As soon as I stepped out, different guards came rushing to the front porch to greet me. The whole place was swarming with security and they all bowed in greeting as they saw me. Two other cars pulled up behind us, Mikhail stepped out of one looking very tired. I watched as he yawned and stretched before turning to me smiling sheepishly.

Nodding my head to the guys, I walked through the large doors making my way to the living room where father was waiting.

"Dad please give me a chance, we all know I can do it better than Mat..." Coda paused as he saw me entering. He cleared his throat avoiding my eye. I knew they were having a conversation about me but I chose to ignore it.

I turned to my dad who was staring at me with a hard look.

"Welcome figlio" he greeted me standing up to hug me and I stood still not saying anything.

I watched as he returned to his seat before looking behind me like he was expecting someone else. Just then Mikhail walked in, waving his hands up as a form of greeting before flopping down on one of the couches.

"Good of you to join us Mikhail but I was hoping I wouldn't be seeing you this time around" dad joked taking a sip from his glass

" Uhhhh" the idiot mumbled through a yawn before laying back down. I knew he was tired so I couldn't blame him. He didn't have one moment of rest this week traveling back and forth.

"Father I'm home" I announced before taking a seat beside Coda.

Nikolai Castello was his name. My father, the man that took care of me after she left. He wasn't the easiest to deal with while growing up especially when we both were still trying to recover from the hurt she caused.

I became that child, the one that hated everything and everyone. I caused a lot of trouble at school and got into fights. I was pulled out of five different schools before my senior year in high school.

My dad's marriage to Coda mom didn't help matters at that time. The night he announced his proposal I finally snapped. I ran out of home into the streets where I met really bad people. That was also where I met Mikhail, then was just a lanky youth with freckles on his face.

He offered to help and took me into his home without knowing who I was. When I was sent out by his foster parents he didn't hesitate to join me. That was when he became my brother, I didn't have many friends growing up. Every person that came to me either wanted something from or my father. Mikhail was and had always been one true friend.

I observed Coda who turned uncomfortably, leaning towards the other arm rest. I wasn't surprised at his action. Him and I were anything but close. He was born during my rebellious years, I even never gave him a chance not that I was allowed to. His bitch was always doting on him, spoiling the shit out of him while I spent years preparing myself to succeed after father. He was only a few years younger than me. The special son of my dad and second wife Valerie.

"They Russians called" my dad was saying as he observed me. I always hated when he gave me that look. It was like I had something else to say but was holding back and from the looks of things I wasn't going to like it.

" We have things under control, the device will soon be retrieved" I was going to do everything in my power to make sure I got my hands on that device and the girl of course. Smiling to myself I recalled what went down the other night. How she had cornered some of my boys knocking three of them out cold without anyone noticing. The girl was good. I would give her that but that just meant the next time I came at her I wouldn't be as forgiving. I did underestimate her but not again. She was fast but not fast enough. My men were already on her, tracking down her every move and reporting to me only that she hasn't realized it yet. I was going to let her enjoy the last days of her freedom because as soon as I returned she was going to have one hell of a ride with me.

"So I guess you haven't met anyone" Dad inquired, catching my attention. I hated when people meddled in my business, dad knew this too but has taken it upon himself to find me a partner.

"Dad, we already talked about this," I complained, avoiding his eyes. Mikhail was laughing silently already knowing where the conversation was going.

"Did we?" He raised an eyebrow "Matteo this isn't just about you, it's about the family too. The lower families have started making complaints about your refusal to get married."

"Why does it matter to them if I'm married or not? They are just a bunch of power hungry assholes ready to offer up their daughters to the highest bidders" I knew it was important to be married as a Don but I just wasn't ready for that yet. Scratch that, I'm not sure I will ever be ready for that.

" This isn't just about the lower families, it's for your own benefits. You need a wife and a child to secure your spot as Don" that wasn't necessary. I climbed up the ladder of power on my own. No woman was going to decide if I was worth it or not.

"Don't come running to me when the family start rebelling"

"I know Dad, I will find someone" I replied trying to brush of this discussion

"That was what you said three years ago. Look, we are still here" he snorted. " If this year runs out without you getting a wife, then be prepared to step down for your younger brother to take over. I won't have you dragging down my years of hard work in mud" He slammed his glass on the floor spitting out curse words. As he stood to go, he paused looking at me.

"Just remember that a King is nothing without his queen" with that he left the room.

Coda, who was quiet the whole time, immediately rushed after him, almost knocking down a maid who was cleaning up the mess.

"Merda" I cursed out in disbelief. He was going to make someone who couldn't even hold his shit Don. I chuckled without humour under my breath. Well, that was only if I stepped down.

"You wouldn't be having these arguments if you had just gotten married when he told you to do so," Mikhail said after some minutes of silence.

" There hasn't never been a Don in the underground without a queen"

" I know Mikhail, don't you think I know that?"

I wasn't one to do things because others were doing it. If I am ever going to get married it will be on my terms and not because I wanted to belong. People like me never follow trends.

"Matteo this is not just about the other families and you know it. You need to give yourself a chance for love and happiness" I knew he was constantly worried about me. He understood me more than anyone but that didn't mean I was going to take his advice.

"I don't do love Mikhail and you know it"

" Stop using that as an excuse. I'm just worried about you" apparently he backing down yet

" A few years from now you are going to look back at all the years you spent refusing happiness. I don't know when but one day you will thank me for wanting this for you even when you didn't" with that he stood up from the couch leaving me alone in the living room.

I sat there pondering for a while, my eyes caught a picture resting on the wall. It was ashot we had taken some years back at a family occasion. I stood emotionlessly beside my dad who was holding a crying Coda in front of him. Valerie beamed at the camera with an arm on her waist.

That was on my seventeenth birthday a few months after I returned home. Mikhail was somewhere in the background making silly efforts to make me laugh but I wasn't having it. Smiling to myself I got up and walked up the familiar halls that led to my room. I passed some maids along the way who greeted me with fearful looks in their faces.

I stepped into my room feeling very drained. Plane rides always left me jet lagged. Coming home and starting another argument with my father drained the little energy I had in me.

My room was as I left it, neat and untouched.

To white walls sparkled as alway bringing life to the every grey and dark furniture. On one side of the wall was a king size bed and the other a desk and chair by the window. A small Aztec style rug laid in the middle. The room had a nice view of a lake surrounded by trees. That was where I spent most of my childhood playing. I opened the door that led to my closet pulling off my tie in the process. The whole room was arranged, similar colours of suit were hung in the closet. The cupboard beneath it contained my dress shoes, Jordans and leather boots. I pulled off my wrist watch, placing it in a counter glass containing my watches. A beep came through my phone, I picked it up to see it was a text from Jamie.

Apparently, Hazel was on the move again. I texted back some instructions before pulling off my clothes and walking into the door adjoining the closet and bathroom. I couldn't wait to get back to New York but first, I had a lot of cleaning to do at home.

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