Mateo Caputo (Unseen Underground 2)

What was I doing? Losing my damn mind, that was what.

I’d stood at the back of the basement, taking everything in, trying to make sense of it. There was only one reason she’d steal drugs: her parents. In that moment, I realized we were so much more alike than I’d known. She was trying to do what was right for them, even if it put her in danger.

I was sure there was more to the story, and I had every intention of getting to the bottom of it. But right then, I had to get her the hell out of here before Lorenzo did something I wouldn’t be able to stop.

I’d claimed her as mine, but that wouldn’t be enough to stop him. Which was why I was searching her eyes for clarification. She’d taken the blame, but now I was her only savior.

“She’s my fiancée,” I finally said, knowing those three words would change the course of both of our lives. There’d be no backing out, not unless we both wanted Lorenzo’s wrath. And it wouldn’t be pretty.

Luna’s mouth popped open, her chest stilling as she held her breath. She was in shock. Good. It’d mean she wouldn’t say anything. All I needed was to get her out of this mansion and alone.

“My office.” Lorenzo flipped his knife closed. “Now.”

He turned on his heel, sauntering over to the stairs and then up them, leaving just the four of us down here. Romeo was still holding onto her arms, his knuckles white with the force. I’d been trying to figure out how the hell I was going to get her out of this situation, and now that my plan was in motion, my sense came back to me.

“If you know what’s good for you,” I growled at Romeo. “You’ll let her go.”

His nostrils flared. “She fuckin’ stole from me!”

“Romeo,” Rafael warned. He read the room; he was good at that. His older brother, not so much.

“You’ve got three seconds.” I scratched my brow, acting like I wasn’t bothered outwardly. “One.” He narrowed his eyes into thin slits. “Two.” He huffed out a breath, his anger vibrating off of him. “Thre—” He let her go with a shove and she bounced into Rafael who righted her. “Stay here,” I told her, then turned to Rafael. “Watch her.”

He nodded, giving me the signal that I could leave the basement. I pushed my hands into my pockets as I made my way up the stairs, feeling Romeo close behind me. On the outside I was calm and collected, but my brain was trying to piece together how to explain this to Lorenzo. I’d never mentioned Luna to him, but as I stepped into his office and stood on the other side of his desk, I realized Aida had met her. She’d told me she even had coffee with Luna. That could work in my favor.

Romeo clicked the secret door closed and stood a few feet away from me, facing Lorenzo who was sitting behind his desk, flipping his knife open and closed.

“You know,” he started, his voice rough. “I’ve never let a single person get away with stealing from me.” His eyes focused on the knife. “What makes you think I will this time?” He glanced up at me, his brow raised.

“I—”

“You think because she’s yours that it will make a difference?” he interrupted, dropping the knife to his desk with a clang. I winced at the impact of it, second guessing what I’d said. Maybe I’d been wrong. Maybe he’d still do what he always did.

But he’d stopped. He’d closed his knife and walked away. That had to mean something, right?

“I understand if you still have to punish her,” I told him, cracking my neck from side-to-side.

He stared at me, not looking away for even a millisecond. It was what he’d wanted to hear, and even though I didn’t want Luna to get hurt—especially when I knew she hadn’t stolen for herself—it didn’t mean I wouldn’t understand. The repercussions could be vast.

“How long?” he asked.

“A few months.” It was a lie. I hadn’t known her that long. I did the math in my head, trying to figure out how long it had been, but I knew it hadn’t been longer than two months. “Luna goes to the same college as Aida.” At the sound of his wife’s name, he sat upright. He was listening intently now. “Aida’s met her.”

“This is bullshit!” Romeo shouted. “She fuckin’ stole from me!”

“No.” Lorenzo swiped his arm through the air, standing as he did. “She stole from me.” A muscle in his jaw jumped. “You’re pushing your fuckin’ luck with me, Romeo.”

Romeo reeled back, but his anger was on full display for us all to see. “Dad would never let this fly.” He stormed back toward the secret door. “If you’re not gonna do it, then I will.”

“Take one more step,” I warned him, my voice low and deadly. “And I won’t hesitate to end you, even if it means I’ll take a bullet to the head right after.” I was revealing my hand, but I had no choice. Lorenzo had control, he knew when to stop, he knew when he was most effective. But Romeo was a wild card.

His body froze, his hand latched onto the door handle. It’d take him less than a minute to get down to the basement and shoot Luna between the eyes. I wouldn’t get there in time to save her.

Romeo turned, oh so slowly, his dark eyes fuming as he met my stare. “You threaten to take my life?” He puffed his chest out. “You don’t belong here. Your blood isn’t our blood.” He slapped his hand on his chest, pushing the point home. If he thought his words would affect me, he was wrong. I knew I belonged here. I knew I had a place in this organization—in this family.

“Wrong,” Lorenzo snapped. “He has a place here.” He took two steps toward Romeo. “I warned you earlier, no

w I’m warning you again. And this will be the last time I say this.” He pulled in a breath. “Know your damn place. You don’t run this show. I do. What I say is law. Remember that, because one click of my fingers, and you’re out.” He took one last step. “Understood?”