Chapter 2

• "An Italian mafia boss arrived in the city last night. His name is Matteo Deluca. “
• Adrian's fingers stopped mid-air above his whiskey glass. Sharp and judging, he raised his gaze at Marco, standing before him.
• “Matteo Deluca?”
• The name didn't sound familiar. After years of being in the game, Adrian was certain that he knew every important player in the underworld of the mafia, particularly the Italians. He was familiar with Don Deluca, the brutal kingpin of the underworld of Italy. And he knew all his sons, but he had never heard of Matteo Deluca.
• Leaning back in his chair, his fingers knocked against the rim of his glass. Why was one of the Deluca's here? The Italians hadn't been in Chicago for years.
• Adrian narrowed his eyes on Marco. "Are you certain about this? "
• Marco nodded. "Yeah, boss. The rumours were already spreading the moment he arrived, and I made sure to confirm it. He's Don Deluca's youngest son, but…” Marco hesitated.
• Adrian's tone was quiet and insistent. “But what? “
• Marco breathed out. "It's strange, boss. We have handled the Italians before and have always been aware of Deluca's heirs Lorenzo, Enzo, and Riccardo. But this one? No one has heard of him until now.”
• Adrian's jaw tightened. It was unsettling for him as well, given that Matteo's name was entirely absent from the mafia circles until now, was he truly Deluca's son?
• Adrian ordered: "Find out all you can about him.” His voice turned cold, “I want to know who he is, how he is linked to Deluca, and most of all, why he's here."
• "Understood," Marco made a small nod and then went out the door.
• Staring at the golden liquid in his glass, Adrian tossed the whiskey. Something didn't seem right to his gut, and his instincts were always right.
• Matteo Deluca couldn't have been on a casual visit. He is here for a purpose.
• Adrian doesn't want to be caught off guard. He doesn't like surprises.
• **********
• That evening
• Sipping his drink and sitting in his private lounge, Adrian heard a knock on his door, followed by one of his men's voices, “Mr Matteo Deluca is here to see you, boss.”
• Adrians eyes shot up. ‘Why was he here?’ he thought to himself. Well, he's about to find out. “Let him in,” he commanded.
• A tall and perfectly built man, dressed in a flawless black suit, with brown hair loomed above the entrance. Though his presence yelled for authority, there was something more menacing under it.
• Adrian felt the change in the atmosphere the second he made eye contact with his hazel eyes.
• This wasn't a mafia prince showing up just out of nowhere. This guy had a purpose behind him.
• Setting his glass down, Adrian slurred: "What do I owe the pleasure, Mr Deluca? " Though his muscles were tight, his voice was laid back.
• Matteo moved simply and deliberately to the front. His voice was strong, deep, and calm. "I won’t beat around the bush. I'm here for Evelyn Moretti.”
• The room was still for a moment. Adrian's fingers curled against the armrest of his chair. His mind raced and his chest constricted.
• “Evelyn?”
• “Yes, Mr Draven.”
• Adrian's belly twisted, but his expression remained unchanged. He had owned Evelyn for several years. He had taken her following her father's passing, as the old man had not covered his obligations. She was his.
• Adrian chuckled softly. "What are you talking about, Deluca? Evelyn belongs to me.”
• Matteo's eyes grew solemn. "Not any more. I'm here to take her.”
• Adrian's head slanted. "And what made you believe you can simply walk here and get her?”
• From his suit pocket, Matteo brought out a folded document and flung it onto the table between them. “I'm paying off her father’s debt. Every cent.”
• Adrian grabbed the document and read it. The numbers were shocking. The exact balance Evelyn’s father was owing him.
• Matteo had come prepared to take her from him.
• Anger seeped gradually through Adrian's chest.
• This idea had never crossed him. He had believed that Evelyn would remain in his grip forever, that she had nowhere else to go, no one else to go to. She was an addiction he wasn’t tired of, and he had no intention of letting her go.
• He met Matteo's fixed stare. "And why do you want her?"
• Matteo seemed impassive. "I don't think that's any of your business."
• Adrian laughed. His fingers drummed against the table, and "On the contrary, I feel it is. You can't just show up here, cover her debt, and just stroll away. Evelyn is not a lost dog to be rescued. I own her. And I don't easily let go of what's mine.”
• Matteo adjusted his stance. "First of all, she was never yours. "
• Adrian's jaw was gritty. Who in the world does he think he is to tell me that?
• He had grown impatient. "Bring Evelyn in," he instructed his men sharply.
• The doors once more opened a bit later and Evelyn entered.
• She froze at the sight of Matteo
• Disbelief swept her features before her eyes widened with hope filled in them and tears welled up in them.
• "Jayden? " her tone was laced with disbelief. She thought she was dreaming.
• Adrian felt ice in his veins.
• “Yes Evie, it's me,” Matteo responded with a soft tone.
• Before Adrian could wrap his head around what was going on, Evelyn sprinted forward and embraced Matteo, her body shaking.
• She cried on his chest, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Where have you been? I thought you were gone for good! I thought you were dead! "
• Matteo's arms clung tightly around her, his hand supporting her head. "I'm here now. I came back for you.” He muttered, “I'll clarify everything later. Let's get you out of here first.”
• Adrian's hands formed into fists as the events unfolded before him. He felt his stomach turn odd.
• Evelyn turned her tears streaked face to face Adrian. For the first time since he had taken her, she gazed at him with something different from fear or submission.
• She stared defiantly at him.
• Adrian put on a smirk, hiding the seething fury below his skin. Though his whole body was stiff, he slumped back lethargically in his chair. "What an emotional reunion. You two lovebirds have surely got quite the past.”
• Matteo looked coldly at him. "Like I said, she is mine. And she leaves with me today.”
• Adrian let out a swift breath through his nose. He hated being caught off guard. He didn't like how simply Evelyn clung to him or how her eyes softened for Matteo. He did not like Matteo's presence and the fact that he was going to lose Evelyn to him.
• "You actually would like to go with him?" Adrian inquired, quite serenely.
• Evelyn tightened her grasp on Matteo's arm as she straightened. “Yes,” she said resolutely.
• Something shattered inside Adrian, but he wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing how affected he was.
• He pushed for a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Then go," he said, waving his hand, "but don't come crawling back when you realize that you were better off with me.”
• Evelyn didn't bother paying attention to his words. She left with Matteo, without sparing Adrian another glance.
• Adrian's grin disappeared as the doors closed behind them and he was so angry that he clenched his whiskey glass with so much force till it shattered and pierced his palm. He didn't let go of the glass as he bled on the table.
• His office door opened and Marco walked in this time.
• "Boss;" he moved forward with a file. "We discovered something. "
• Adrian turned his eyes toward him. "What?” He spoke tightly, trying to control his anger.
• "Ten years ago Matteo Deluca was adopted into the Deluca family.” Marco reported.
• The room's air became stifling. Adrian's fingers released the glass and it shattered on the table
• Adopted! A decade ago?
• “Before then, he was someone else,” Adrian whispered, "Jayden."
• Adrian's mind wheeled. Jayden was someone from Evelyn's past, someone she has a close relationship with.
• And now he had taken her away.
• Adrian felt the loneliness and emptiness clouding him all over again.