I looked from him to where he was staring.
Fox.
Fuck.
“How close you’ve come,” he mused softly before stepping back from the balcony.
My pulse raced.
“Where are you going?” I called out.
He gave me an easy smile. “I thought I might greet my nephew.”
And with those words, he turned and nodded for Klaus and Alessio to follow him, leaving Drake behind to drink.
Knowing I needed to intervene, I swept down the stairs after my father, sending up a silent prayer that this wouldn’t be the night Fox would die and I’d get blamed for it all.
Klaus and Alessio were fast, flanking Matteo as he made his way through the club. I pushed my way through the patrons and made it to Fox just a moment before they did.
“We need to go,” I started, but it was too late.
Klaus reached out, placed his hand on Fox’s shoulder, and pushed him back onto his barstool.
“Hello,” Matteo greeted Fox, that smile on his face.
Fox’s gaze darted around to Alessio and Klaus before he spoke.
“Hello.”
“I thought we might chat,” Matteo continued. “If you don’t mind.”
“Father—”
He held his hand up to silence me before he stepped aside.
“If you would,” he said to Fox.
Fox hesitated for a moment before giving him a slight nod and getting to his feet. Knowing there wasn’t a way in hell I’d abandon him, I fell in step behind him and allowed my father and his men to lead us through the crowded club to a back room.
I’d been to places like this before. It never ended well.
Matteo pushed the door open, and we stepped into an office. It was cozy enough, but I glanced to a side door, knowing damn well it was a killing room.
Matteo went to the bar in the room and poured two glasses of bourbon before bringing them to us. I took mine and slammed it back while Fox held his. Matteo returned to the bar, grabbed another glass and the bottle of booze, and brought it back to the desk. He sank into the leather chair as Fox and I sat in the chairs in front of the desk. Alessio moved to Matteo’s side while Klaus prowled the edge of the room.
These men knew how to protect their leader, that was for sure. I had to admire it.
“Constantino Fox De Santis,” Matteo said, eyeing Fox before sipping his drink. “My long-lost brother’s son. The football hero. The man who loves my son’s girl. And the reason we’re all in this fucking mess.”
“I’m not the reason for anything,” Fox said, his voice firm and even. “I didn’t even know who I was until recently. My father kept it from me.”
“Understandable and very much like the traitor to do.” Matteo settled back in his seat.
“Father, why are we here? Fox has done nothing wrong. I came like you asked. Fox was already with me. We planned on talking tonight,” I cut in.
“You worry too much, my son.” Matteo gave me a smile that actually looked genuine. “But since you’re so concerned, I’ll get to the point.” He looked back to Fox. “I only wanted to meet you.”
“Oh yeah?” Fox shook his head. “You’re not planning on dragging my ass into that room and beating the Evans out of me?”
