Accardi by allison franklin novel

You Were My Favorite Hurt, And My Hardest Goodbye by Ava Knight 144 Summary Matteo is deeply moved when he hears the heartbeat of his unborn child during a sonogram while waiting to assess Genevieve's fractured cheekbone. The moment solidifies his determination to protect his family at all costs, especially after the recent chaos involving Giovanni. Back home, Matteo begins making calls to reestablish control over his organization, vowing to prevent any future betrayals and to safeguard his growing family.

Meanwhile, Matteo discusses with Emmett the complicated family dynamics and the painful revelations about Maisy's past, including allegations of assault. Emmett expresses his belief in Maisy and the need for fathers to confront their wrongdoings. Matteo also requests a meeting with the Phelans to understand their involvement in recent events, signaling ongoing tensions and unresolved conflicts. At home, Matteo searches for Genevieve and finds her on the rooftop garden, where she has revitalized the neglected family greenhouse with the help of friends.

The restored greenhouse symbolizes hope and renewal, contrasting with Matteo's earlier desire to abandon his family legacy. Genevieve's efforts bring warmth and life back to a place that once represented loss and pain. In a tender moment, Matteo opens up about his past struggles and his initial wish to leave the family business behind. He confesses that meeting Genevieve gave him a renewed sense of purpose beyond violence and loss.

Together, they dream of a future where their family and legacy can thrive, with Matteo promising never to fail them again as they admire the flourishing greenhouse and the life growing within Genevieve. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Four Matteo grasped his phone tightly in one hand, while in the other, he held a fragile fragment of his world. He hadn't anticipated the sonogram image to resemble anything more than a tiny peanut-shaped blur - that's how it always appeared in movies, after all.

As they waited for the x-ray machine to become free so they could assess the severity of Genevieve's fractured cheekbone, an obstetrician had entered the room to check on her pregnancy. Though Gen was only about seven weeks along, they were still able to capture an image. But first, they listened to the heartbeat. That rapid, steady thump echoed in Matteo's ears, lingering there even as O'Brien's frantic voice buzzed through the speaker on his phone.

Hearing the heartbeat of his unborn child had already shaken him to his core, but witnessing the glow on his wife's face and the tears shimmering in her eyes shattered him completely. The words she had whispered, gripping his suit jacket with desperate intensity, would remain etched in his memory forever. "We have to protect him, Matteo. No matter what it takes." No matter what it takes. That phrase echoed relentlessly in Matteo's mind.

The moment he returned to their apartment, while everyone else gathered in the living room to eat pizza and unwind after the chaotic events of the past months, Matteo began making calls. He wanted the world to know he was out of prison, back in control, and done playing games. Failure was no longer an option. What had happened with Giovanni-the catalyst for this entire nightmare-could never happen again. Another blind spot like that was unacceptable. It simply wouldn't be allowed.

Every single member of Accardi Industries and the Accardi family would be thoroughly re-vetted as soon as possible. Any attempt to claim his organization would be crushed before it even began. He planned to embed one of his trusted men within every family across the state, ensuring they had ears everywhere. The deaths of his mother and brother haunted him still. He glanced down at the sonogram, determination hardening his gaze. He would make sure everyone in every circle understood just how far he was willing to go to protect his family-his growing family.

There was no room left for doubt, for weakness, or for lowering his guard. There was only her, and this tiny life they had created together. *** "... to meet at the restaurant tomorrow and explain everything that happened, because I know he'll want answers," O'Brien finally concluded. Matteo couldn't entirely fault him for the one-sided rant. Emmett had apparently always known that Maisy wasn't his full-blooded sister, yet he had treated her like she was. "And what about the alleged assaults she endured?" Matteo asked, surprised O'Brien hadn't mentioned that particular accusation.

Emmett sighed deeply, the weight of it audible. "I never knew. She never told me. But... I believe her." "And what do you intend to do about it?" "Maybe this is the week for fathers to finally face the sins they've committed against their children," Emmett suggested quietly. "Good to hear," Matteo replied with a sigh of relief. All he wanted was to be with his family-to see Gen, hold her close, and fall asleep beside her. He'd been yearning for it for nearly a week now. "One last thing before I let you go: I want you to arrange a meeting with the Phelans.

I need to know what role they played in all this. We have a feeling our dealings with them are far from over." "I'll call Liam and see if he's willing to set something up," Emmett responded, his voice heavy with the burden of the confrontation looming with his own father. "Thanks, Emmett. I'm sorry. Truly." "Yeah, me too," Emmett answered. Matteo was about to end the call when Emmett's voice cut through once more. "Oh, and congratulations. You have the perfect woman-and now a child.

You're a lucky man." Matteo's eyes flicked back to the sonogram, still held gently between his thumb and forefinger. "Thank you, Emmett. Talk soon." "Sure thing." *** After hanging up, Matteo carefully placed the sonogram into a small picture frame that he and Gen had picked up before grabbing the pizza. He set it on his desk beside the last family photo featuring his father alive, and the one with himself, his mother, and Antonio from last Christmas. He nudged the pictures slightly to the right, leaving room for a future wedding portrait of him and Gen.

Rolling his chair back, he rose and went in search of her. Laughter drifted down the hallway from the living room before he even reached the threshold, and a smile tugged at his lips. After the warehouse orders were given and the cleanup crew organized, Genevieve had invited everyone to their home. Alessio and Raphael were seated at the kitchen island, arguing in Italian over the quality of New York pizza. Louis sat on the couch with Jada's head resting in his lap, discussing Conor's future plans, while Conor himself tended the fire in the fireplace.

Even Don and Juliano were there, locked in a competitive game of darts with Alessio's guard, Roberto. But there was no sign of Genevieve. Matteo retraced his steps through the apartment, checking every bathroom, the bedroom, and the sunroom. Finally, he returned to the living area. "Where's Gen?" he asked. Jada glanced up at Louis, a secretive smile playing on her lips as if seeking permission to share a secret. Louis nodded, and she turned to face Matteo. "She's upstairs, on the roof." "What?" Matteo growled, already turning toward the door, shaking his head.

"She's supposed to be resting!" "She's not alone," Juliano called after him, defending his Donna. "Yeah, Leo and Lucy are with her," Don added. Matteo flung the door open. "What the hell are you all doing here if you can't keep track of one woman? And clean up your mess! We didn't pay to have this place cleaned just so you could trash it again in one night." With a heavy stomp, Matteo climbed the stairs to the rooftop garden. He knew convincing her to follow the doctor's two-week rest recommendation would be a challenge, but he hoped to at least get one night where she stayed put.

When he pushed open the door to the roof, he paused at the threshold. She had strung lights overhead, stretching from pole to pole across the rooftop, bathing the garden in a warm, golden glow. The vegetables and flowers he had planted months ago with Mrs. Henderson flourished beneath the lights. As he walked along the pebble path, the soil in the raised beds looked rich and freshly weeded, a deep, fertile brown. His eyes lifted to the greenhouses. He blinked several times, unable to believe what he was seeing. Matteo stepped inside the central greenhouse.

Leo, perched on one of the raised beds, looked up and smiled at his stunned expression, clearing his throat. Nearby, Lucy emerged from the third greenhouse carrying a watering pail. Her smile was broader than he had ever seen, causing his eyebrows to shoot up in surprise. She had never smiled at him before. She set the pitcher down and turned back toward the greenhouse. "Hey, Gen, the baby's hungry, so I'm going to feed it," Lucy called. "Okay!" Gen's voice rang back. "I'll stay here. Just want to finish cleaning before Matteo comes looking for me.

Thanks for your help!" "No problem, Hun," Lucy replied with a soft chuckle. As she passed Matteo, she gripped his sleeve tightly. "I still don't like you," she whispered, "but for her, I'll put up with you." "Glad to hear it," Matteo answered, a genuine smile breaking across his face. Lucy patted his sleeve and rejoined her husband. Leo wrapped his arm around her waist, lifting her bridal-style before carrying her through the door. Matteo heard humming coming from the third greenhouse and swallowed hard, moving toward the sound. Inside, Gen stood in the center aisle.

This greenhouse had been the first his great-grandfather built. It was filled floor to ceiling with plants brought over from their homeland. Until nearly a year ago, the garden had thrived. Then Matteo had faltered, and everything seemed to crumble. But that was the past. Just as she had breathed new life into him, Gen had revived the greenhouse. Where cobwebs, dusty glass, broken boards, and starving soil had once been, now there was lush greenery, shimmering glass, vibrant flowers-and her. "Genevieve," Matteo whispered, his voice catching in his throat.

Her head snapped up, and she dropped the broom she'd been using to sweep up a pile of dirt she had missed. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she smoothed the apron tied around her waist. She smiled shyly and gestured around, as if she'd prepared a speech but had forgotten it all when startled. "What have you done, Weakness?" he asked softly, still standing in the doorway. "I-I know this greenhouse meant so much to you and your family," she began, her stammer only making her more endearing. She stepped toward him.

"After you left Italy, I saw all these beautiful flowers and remembered how your great-grandfather brought clippings over and started this garden. I could see the pain in your eyes whenever you looked in here..." Now standing before him, she didn't reach out but nervously twined her fingers together. "I talked to Alessio and asked if he could help. They came a few days ago." "When did you find the time to do this?" She pursed her lips and shrugged. "Last night." "Last night?" he repeated, finally reaching out to rest his hands on her waist.

She exhaled slowly, as if waiting for his touch to ease her nerves. She nodded. "That's why I invited everyone over for pizza. I had promised it last night, but..." She glanced around. "It took a lot longer than I expected." "No kidding," Matteo said with a grin. "Do you like it?" she whispered, as if genuinely worried he might not. Matteo took a moment to absorb the scene. His ancestor had wanted everything in the greenhouse to be native to Italy, their family's home and origin.

More than that, he wanted it to teach the Don endurance, patience, and the importance of nurturing even the smallest living thing. Matteo had failed at that. "About a year ago, I wanted out," he admitted quietly. "I wanted to leave all this behind and do what Conor is doing now-sell off everything except a few businesses: Accardi Industries, Valentina's, maybe a couple of other restaurants." Gen looked up at him, her ice-blue eyes melting into his soul, fully present with him. "There was no reason to continue this family legacy. It took everything from me-my father.

When it took Antonio and my mom too..." He looked around the greenhouse. "I burned it all down. I was planning my escape." Matteo gently touched her uninjured cheek. She leaned into his palm. "Then you asked if I needed a light. You came into my life because of Jada, because of this life my ancestors built. I was able to find you because of it. I could afford to hire you because of it," he said with a soft chuckle. "I'm not saying I want this life forever, or that I want it for our children... but meeting you taught me my role is bigger than bruised knuckles and funerals.

It gives as much as it takes." "What were you going to do?" she asked softly. He smirked down at her. "Become a car mechanic." She laughed, unable to contain it. "A car mechanic? Really?" He smiled with her. "Yeah, but cool cars. Maybe open a garage in Italy." "Ah, I see," she chuckled. "So not some rundown Bronx garage working on Gremlins?" He pulled her closer. "Maybe at first. Everyone has to start somewhere." "Funny enough, my first client was a car shop in Boston. I think I still have their number. I could call them if you want, see if they need an apprentice," she offered, half-teasing.

"Maybe," he said. "One thing at a time." Matteo placed his hand over her stomach, and together they turned to admire the beautifully restored greenhouse. "It's going to take a lot of work to keep this up," Gen sighed, leaning fully against him. He wrapped his arm around her, squeezing gently. "It is. But as long as you stay right here," he said, tucking her head beneath his chin, "I'll never fail again." Conclusion The chapter closes on a tender note of renewal and hope, as Matteo and Genevieve find solace in each other and the revived legacy of the greenhouse.

Their shared commitment to protect their growing family and nurture the life they have created together brings a sense of healing after the turmoil they have endured. The greenhouse, once a symbol of loss and despair, now flourishes under Genevieve's care, mirroring the rekindled strength and unity between them. Matteo's reflections reveal a man transformed by love and responsibility, embracing a future that balances the weight of his past with the promise of new beginnings.

With the tender moment in the greenhouse symbolizing a new beginning, readers can expect an exploration of how their relationship strengthens amid the shadows of past losses and looming threats. The emotional stakes will rise as Matteo's determination to protect his family collides with the complexities of his world, forcing him to confront not only external enemies but also the vulnerabilities within himself. Tensions simmer beneath the surface, hinting at difficult conversations and uneasy alliances that could shift the dynamics among the characters.