CHAPTER 18
Amara’s POV
“How ironic that loyalty is the currency this room, yet it’s the one thing no one seems to trust,” Matteo said.
of
I leaned back slightly in my chair, feigning disinterest, though I felt anything but. I was used to rooms like this, where power dynamics played out in gestures, words, and the subtle dance of dominance. But
today, I was more than a spectator.
These men
former allies of the Obsidian
Syndicate, had been brought here by promises of better deals, security, and
power. All courtesy of Matteo Vitale after I handed him all those records and
documents I was able to secure before I got
locked out of access in The Obsidian‘ s
systems.
James Chon, one of the men spoke,
“Vitale, you’ve certainly presented a
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tempting offer, but partnering with you would mean severing ties with Luca Moretti entirely. He doesn‘ t take betrayal lightly, as you well know.”
Matteo di not flinch. He leaned forward slightly, a predatory gleam in his eye.
“Luca doesn’t take loyalty seriously either. He betrayed his own wife – his Donna. If that doesn’t speak volumes about his character, I don‘ t know what
does.”
The men turned to look at me. I straightened my back, holding their gazes even as my chest tightened. They were sizing me up, weighing the truth of Matteo’s words against their memories of me as Luca s wife.
“You were married to Moretti,” one of them said, recognizing who I was for I had. several transactions with them before.
“Yet here you are, sitting beside his rival. Why?”
All eyes were on me and Matteo stayed
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quiet, though his fingers brushed mine under the table that sent a jolt through me.
I took a breath and gave them a smile. I would never show these people my vulnerability. I knew them. People in this world are vultures preying on the other s weaknesses.
“Betrayal demands retribution,” I simply uttered. “And trust is the foundation of power. Without it, alliances crumble.”
The men nodded thoughtfully, exchanging glances. It was a vague enough answer to satisfy their curiosity while planting seeds of doubt about Luca’s reliability.
“And that’s why you chose Vitale?” one of them pressed. “Because he’s trustworthy?”
Matteo chuckled softly, cutting in before I could respond. “Because she’s smart enough to know where power truly lies. Amara has seen firsthand what happens. when a man in my position lacks loyalty or
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vision. She chose me because I am not Luca.”
He turned to me then, locking his eyes on me where admiration swirled clearly as he did not bother to hide it. “And because she is extraordinary. Her intelligence, her strength, her ability to lead in this world. I’d be a fool not to want her by my side.”
I felt heat rise to my cheeks but I refused to let it show. Matteo‘ s praise was not entirely performative; it felt genuine. That, somehow, made it harder to brush off.
The men murmured their agreement. “She was formidable even under the Obsidian Syndicate,” one said. “I‘ ve seen her in action, handling deals with efficiency. She has a reputation.
Matteo smirked, clearly enjoying the validation. “Exactly. And that’s why I
trust her more than I trust most of the men in this room.”
The subtle jab earned a few nervous
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chuckles. Matteo did not give them time to dwell, seamlessly steering the conversation back to the terms of the deal. Arms trades,
financial assets, and security measures were discussed in detail.
These businessmen weren‘ t just potential allies; they were Luca’s lifelines. Pulling them into the Vitalus Circle was not just a business move – it was an attack on Luca’s foundation. A strategic move in
this silent war.
The meeting concluded with handshakes and tentative agreements, the businessmen promising to consider Matteo’s offer
seriously. As they left the room, I felt a touch of relief.
But it was short lived.
The door slammed open, and there he was
Luca Moretti.
The atmosphere shifted instantly as Luca’s dark eyes scanned the room, landing on Matteo first, then me.
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“Fishing in my pond now, Vitale?” Luca sounded threatening and lethal. He
stepped further into the room, close to us.
“You’ve got some nerve.”
Matteo did not stand, didn’t flinch. He leaned back in his chair, his arm draping casually over the back of mine. “Your pond?” he said, almost amused. “I think you’ll find these waters are neutral territory.”
Luca’s gaze snapped to me, and I could see the anger, and possessiveness crossing his face. “And you, Amara. Have you sunk so low as to align yourself with him? Even aiding in his activities?”
I stood, meeting his gaze head on. “You betrayed me, Luca. You made your choice. Now I’ve made mine.”
His jaw tightened and his hands clenched at his sides. “This is madness. You belong
with me. Come back to the Obsidian,
Amara. We can fix this.”
