22. Matteo

22

MATTEO

S taring at the figure currently dancing across the screen of his tablet, Matteo wondered how he got stuck with such an odd cast of characters. Currently, Levi was reenacting the mayhem that unfolded at the club two nights ago involving Isaac and a wardrobe malfunction he had on stage.

Accidental or intentional, Matteo still wasn't convinced.

"And then his sac just fell out!" Levi shouted, bending over in front of the camera and simulating balls dropping.

"That's not how it happened!" Isaac's voice was heard before his face filled the screen, blocking out Levi, who was laughing on the floor. "Don't listen to him, M. The guy exaggerates and makes up stories."

Isaac's bright green eyes and his nose filled the screen as he moved the tablet around so that Matteo could only see his face.

Matteo chuckled.

"Sounds like everything's going great at the club." Seeing his boys playing around and having such a good time without him made his heart ache. It had only been about a week since he left, but he was already missing his band of crazy men.

The shaky image finally stilled as Isaac's face filled the screen once more.

"And what about you? How are things going on your journey of self-discovery? Did you realize that you're a narcissist yet?" Isaac asked before Levi appeared next to him once again.

"Yeah, M. Everything okay? When you comin' back?" Levi asked, giving the camera a little pout.

Levi and those damn violet eyes of his. They really could make a man do just about anything.

"I'm fine. It's been good to get away and have some time to decompress."

Levi's face scrunched up. "So why don't you look relaxed? You look like a man about to be on the Maury Povich show."

"Yes, you are the father!" Diesel shouted from somewhere off-camera. It was great to see that their conversations were private.

"Someone should have taught your mama to swallow," Isaac chirped, glancing over at Diesel.

Isaac ducked as something was chucked at his head.

Matteo chuckled.

"So, M? Why do you look so stressed?" Levi asked once again.

"Well, I was relaxed until I got an unwelcome guest."

"You found a rat?" Levi screeched, eyes bugging out of his head.

"No. It was probably a bear," Isaac corrected.

"In Spain?" Jared asked.

"How do you know he's in Spain?" Isaac asked, looking over the tablet at someone standing on the other side of the screen.

"Cus Ares told me," Jared answered.

"And how would Ares know where he is?" Levi asked, everyone seeming to forget all about Matteo.

"Cus he's there with M right now," Jared noted in a matter-of-fact tone.

Two shocked faces landed on the screen.

"Like I said, unwelcome guest," Matteo added, giving the boys a guilty smile.

"Woah, woah, woah. You mean to tell me you are all alone, in a secluded cabin, with a scary man who makes people disappear? Are you being held against your will?" Levi asked, his face suddenly filling up the screen. "Blink once for yes, twice if you need us to call the police."

Matteo chuckled. "Other than wanting to murder the man, I'm fine."

"Of course he is. He's probably getting railed left, right, and center by the man. Ask him if he needs us to send him Isaac's butt pillow." Jared's voice was heard, still out of view of the camera.

"He can hear you, stupid," Isaac noted, giving the man an I can't believe I fell in love with you, awkward stare.

"Shit," Jared whispered. The corner of his face appeared in the top right quadrant of the screen. "Heyyyy, M. Howww's it goin'?"

"Don't you have toilets to clean or Raj's cage to muck out?" Matteo asked sarcastically.

Jared's face turned red. "Come home soon, M. We miss your amazing sense of humor." He blew Matteo a kiss before vanishing again from the screen.

Matteo couldn't help but smile. While the guys might be crude and ill-mannered, they were sweet when it counted.

"I should be back in a few days. If not, it's because I murdered Ares and now have to hide from Elijah."

"Yeah, that man is scary," Isaac added, nodding his head and turning to Levi for agreement.

Isaac and Levi should have been born brothers with the way the two of them stuck together. One getting into trouble with the other defending their scrawny ass.

A noise caught Matteo's attention. He looked up to find Jorge standing just outside the sliding door. He smiled at the boy.

"Guys, I'm going to have to let you go. I'll see you all in a few days. Try not to kill each other," Matteo said, pressing the disconnect button on his tablet.

"Is that your family?" Jorge asked, taking a step out onto the back porch.

Matteo sat on an old patio chair, taking in the morning dew.

"Yeah, they're a collection of pains in the ass I gained over the years."

"They sound like they really miss you." Jorge sat down on the empty chair and wrapped his jacket tight around his body. His bruise looked better today, and the dark circles under his eyes didn't look quite so dark.

"I miss them as well. My parents died a while back, so it's just been me all these years. It's nice to have a second chance at having a family with these guys. Many of them are like you. They came from abusive families or were battling addictions while living on the streets. I gave them a safe place to stay and helped them get clean if they needed to. Many of the guys I've taken in have decided to stay and ended up working for me eventually as well."

"So, you're some kind of hero?" the boy asked, glancing shyly at Matteo.

That was strange. The boy almost looked confused and unsure.

"Hardly. Given all the bad things I've done in my life, I don't think anyone would describe me as a hero."

"That's not true," Ares said, popping his head out the door, wearing an apron covered in flowers. The man looked ridiculous. "There's a house full of untrained puppies that would argue differently."

Matteo blushed. He didn't like it when Ares said nice things to him. It confused him and made him feel all… mushy inside. Plus, he was still mad at the asshole.

"Breakfast is ready if you guys want to come in," Ares announced, waving a spatula around like he was Martha Stewart or something.

Jorge glanced over at Matteo as if asking for permission.

"Let's go inside. He might look rough and stupid, but his cooking is actually pretty good." Matteo placed his hand on the boy's shoulder and walked with him into the cabin.