The entire room, myself included, stared in shock. Marcus, Alex, Vince, and Geo were in the room with us, all anxious for the confirmation of Raoul’s death. They were as surprised as I was at his words.
“Matteo,” Julian protested. “You can’t be serious.”
“I am. Things have changed, Julian. My life, my priorities have changed. Next time, I might not be so lucky, and Evie, my family, is too important for me to risk. If Raoul knew my name, he could have passed that information along to someone else. I can’t take the risk. It might jeopardize the team and what we do. It only makes sense.”
Julian shook his head in disbelief. “Matteo…”
Matteo’s voice dropped, his face serious. “It isn’t only about me anymore.”
Julian frowned.
“Evie is pregnant, Julian. I have to protect her at all costs.”
I felt every eye in the room on me. After a long silence, Julian huffed out a sigh.
“Matteo, this division, this team, will be lost without you.”
“No. Marcus can do this. He’s the obvious choice. The men respect him, and he’ll do an outstanding job. He is exactly who you need to lead the team.” Matteo paused. “He can give you one hundred percent of himself, Julian. I no longer have that to give.”
Julian’s shoulders slumped. “I understand. I always knew this day would come.” He lifted his shoulder with a small smile. “I’d hoped I would have been retired before it happened. But I’m happy for you, Matteo.” Julian smiled and leaned forward, extending his hand. “For you both. Congratulations.”
Matteo shook his hand with a nod. “We can discuss this in private later and figure it all out.”
Geo walked Julian to the door.
Marcus stood, his expression serious. “Matteo, I am honored you think I can lead this team, but…” His voice trailed off.
Matteo shook his head. “No buts, Marcus. You’re the right man. I discussed this a long time ago with Alex and Vince. They both agreed, when the time came, you were the one to step into my shoes.”
Alex and Vince nodded in agreement.
“I plan to step back myself in a few years,” Vince stated. “But until I do, I agree with Matteo. You’re the man to lead us.”
Marcus glanced toward me, and I smiled. I knew how much Matteo trusted him and how highly he thought of Marcus. We had become close, and there was no doubt Matteo had chosen well.
“You’ll be a great leader,” I assured him.
He frowned, muttered his excuses, and left the room. Like Matteo, he always needed a little time to think things over when it came to something that affected him on a personal level. When it came to what they did, the lives they saved, and the risks they took, their decision-making process was instant and unquestionable.
Matteo glanced at me and looked toward Alex and Vince. They stood and left the room. Geo rose to follow.
“I’ll give you some privacy, but this evening, we are celebrating this. All of it. The end of this chapter and the beginning of your new life, Matteo. I’m so happy for you both.” He pulled the door closed behind him.
Matteo crossed over and crouched beside me.
“Are you all right, Evie?”
I cupped his cheek. “I’m fine. A little surprised. Are you sure about this, Matteo?”
He met my inquisitive gaze with a look of determination. “Yes. I’ve been thinking about it for a while.” He placed his hand on my stomach, rubbing it lovingly. “Our child needs a world free from all of this madness. From the danger it brings to our life. I want to disappear with you. Start fresh in a place free from blood and fear. I want to live my life in peace with you. With our family.”
“But you feel so strongly about this cause.”
He nodded. “And it will continue after I leave. After Vince and Alex leave. Julian knew I would go.” He sighed. “Eventually, we all have to walk away before it consumes us.” He tilted his head to the side, studying me. “I admit, if you hadn’t come into my life, I would have gone on for longer. But you awakened parts of me I kept buried. The parts that allow me to feel more than anger and hate and the need for revenge. Now I know Raoul is dead, I can walk away. I want to grab those feelings and live.”
“I love you,” I whispered.
He smiled. “That is the greatest gift of my life. That and our little one growing inside you. You have brought joy to my life, Evie. And now it’s time to move on from the past and into the future. Our future.”
“What will happen next?”
He sat across from me, taking my hand. “It will take some time. Things need to be put into place, I need to wind down and make sure Marcus is ready to step in. Julian will need me to ensure the transition is clean.”