Chapter 95: A Threat Between Brothers
Matteo didn’t even hesitate. "Why do you care?"
Tony shouted, "Mat!"
Matteo didn’t flinch. His eyes were cold, his professional armor back in place. "Let’s talk business," he said, completely ignoring Tony’s outburst as if the man were nothing more than a nuisance.
Matteo and Tony shifted their focus to the business at hand. Despite the tension, Tony forced himself to stay composed, pushing aside his irritation to concentrate on the operation rather than Matteo’s earlier dismissal. Once everything was settled, Matteo handed him his assignments. Tony gave a curt, professional bow.
"Understood," Tony said, his voice flat. "I’ll handle it. I’ll report back as soon as it’s done."
Matteo nodded. "Wait. I’ll go get the file you’ll need for this."
He stood and headed for the stairs, leaving Tony alone in the living room for a moment.
After Matteo left, Tony’s gaze shifted toward the dining area.
Seeing his opportunity, he walked over and pulled out the chair right next to Adrian.
Adrian, who was still finishing his breakfast, paused, his fork hovering mid-air. He didn’t know the full extent of Tony’s past schemes towards him, Matteo had kept that from him to avoid a volatile reaction, but he knew enough to sense the man’s toxic energy.
Tony stared at him, his eyes filled with raw, predatory hatred. Adrian didn’t look away. He placed his fork down and faced him fully, his voice calm yet piercing.
"Seriously?" Adrian said. "Can we talk like normal people? Why do you hate me? We didn’t even know each other before I met Matteo. So what’s your problem?"
He paused, then added more quietly, "Do you want me to beg you to stop looking at me like that? "Matteo and I are together now. I want to be on good terms with the people around him... but you’re making that impossible."
Tony hadn’t expected the confrontation. He’d assumed Adrian would be intimidated, especially with Matteo out of the room. A cruel, jagged smirk spread across his face.
"I don’t just hate you," Tony said coldly. "I want to crush you."
Adrian smiled lightly, tilting his head as if amused. "Are you that obsessed with me?" he teased, trying to soften the moment, to turn it into something lighter.
But Tony wasn’t playing.
Not even close.
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a dangerous hiss, close enough for Adrian to catch the cold scent of his cologne.
"You don’t need to know what you did to earn it," Tony said quietly. "Just watch your back."
He held Adrian’s gaze, unblinking.
"I have eyes everywhere."
"You’re not planning to kill me, are you?" Adrian asked, putting on a mock-scared expression.
A short smile followed. "I’m your boss’s partner now. You should be nicer to me... maybe even wish us well."
Tony leaned in, his gaze sharp enough to cut, and hissed, "Look at my face and read my lips."
Adrian didn’t flinch. He met Tony’s glare with a calm, unnerving focus, his posture perfectly relaxed.
Tony opened his mouth, clearly ready to unleash a venomous threat that had been building for some time. But before he could speak, Adrian cut in, his voice smooth and maddeningly calm.
"When I look at your face and your lips, all I see is someone who is far too handsome to carry such a bitter expression," Adrian said, tilting his head with a faint, mocking pity. "You have no reason to hate me. There’s someone out there who would actually cherish you."
He held Tony’s gaze. "So why waste your time obsessing over something that will never be yours? I mean... never, Tony."
The words hit Tony like a physical blow. The malice in his expression faltered; his gaze dropped, and the rigid tension in his shoulders loosened, exposing a brief flash of wounded pride.
"Shut your mouth!" Tony erupted, his voice cracking as he shot to his feet, loud enough for the entire house to hear. "You’re the problem! You’re the reason for everything, and I will get rid of you!"
Before Adrian could respond, Matteo came down the stairs, a file in hand. The moment he stepped into the dining room, the atmosphere shifted.
He handed the file to Tony, his gaze moving between them, picking up on the lingering tension. Without a word, Tony took it and walked out.
As the front door clicked shut, Matteo pulled out the chair beside Adrian. "Is everything okay?" he asked.
Adrian shook his head slightly, brushing it off.
As Matteo sat down to eat, Adrian looked at him, his expression turning serious.
"Baby," Adrian said, his expression serious, "why is Tony Mark’s bodyguard if he’s this bitter? Someone like him could hurt your family. You shouldn’t trust him that much."
Matteo shook his head, his face unbothered. "He could hurt anyone else in the world, perhaps, but when it comes to Mark, Tony would never dream of it. He’s loyal to him."
"You can’t trust him," Adrian insisted, his tone urgent. "I’m telling you, the way he looks at people... he’s dangerous."
Matteo leaned in, his voice carrying a quiet warning. "You don’t need to worry about that. I know how he operates. He wouldn’t dare touch anyone in this family. And if he ever did, if he even thought about it, I wouldn’t be the one dealing with him."
Adrian hesitated for a moment before asking quietly, "If not you... Then who would deal with him?"
Matteo’s eyes darkened. "He’d have to face my father. And my father doesn’t give warnings... or second chances. It’s a dead end."
He held Adrian’s gaze. "Tony knows that. He wouldn’t dare."
"Fine," Adrian whispered. "I trust your word. I just want everyone to be safe, baby."
Matteo reached across the table, his hand covering Adrian’s. "The same goes for you, baby. I understand why you reacted to Tony that way, but you need to understand, I can’t be with you 24/7."
He held his gaze. "You have to be careful when I’m not around, Adrian. Watch your surroundings, trust your instincts... and stay alert."
Adrian sighed, looking down at his plate. "I know. I didn’t mean to provoke him like that earlier, but I couldn’t help it."
"It’s alright," Matteo said gently. "But don’t do that again, alright? You already have me. You don’t need to prove anything, you’ve already won my heart, okay."
"Fine," Adrian agreed, nodding.
The rest of the day unfolded at a slower, sweeter pace. As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and violet, Matteo kept his promise. He took Adrian to the city’s finest dessert shop.
Adrian’s eyes lit up as he picked out an assortment of decadent treats, laughing as he admitted that every once in a while, he just needed to indulge.
They spent the rest of the evening driving through the city, the cool night air slipping through the open windows. It was just the two of them and the quiet presence of the guards, wrapped in a rare, peaceful silence, simply enjoying each other.
After spending the evening together, they returned home late, the weight of the coming days quietly settling in. By the next morning, reality shifted. Matteo received urgent news from his business, his brother, Marco, was making a move, attempting to take a position that belonged to him. It demanded immediate attention.
This forced Matteo to return home earlier than planned. What was meant to be a relaxing weekend retreat was cut short, and instead of staying through Saturday or Sunday, they left on Friday.
The ride back was quiet, the weight of Matteo’s impending confrontation with Marco hanging heavy in the air. When the car finally pulled up in front of Adrian’s house, the engine idled with a low, steady hum.
Matteo turned to him, cupping Adrian’s face in his hands. He leaned in, capturing his lips in one last, lingering kiss.
"Once I’ve sorted things out with him, I’ll be back," Matteo murmured against his lips. "I’ll come get you the moment I’m free... or I’ll call. Stay close to your phone, okay?"
"I will," Adrian promised, savoring the warmth of Matteo’s touch before he...