Accardi by allison franklin novel

You Were My Favorite Hurt, And My Hardest Goodbye by Ava Knight 57 Summary Matteo emerges from the walk-in cooler, exhausted and bloodied after twenty-four hours since Gen was taken. He interrogates the last security guard desperately for information but receives no useful answers. Frustrated and haunted by the guard's screams, Matteo reflects bitterly on a memory about needing a woman to ease the pain, realizing that if his woman were with him, he wouldn't be covered in blood. Matteo and Frankie arrive at the hospital where Leo is recovering from surgery after being attacked.

Despite the doctors' uncertainty about Leo's survival, he wakes up, bringing a mix of relief and tension. At Leo's bedside, Matteo is met with hostility from Lucy, Leo's fiancée, who blames Matteo for Leo's condition and physically strikes him. Matteo warns her not to hit him again, but Leo calms the situation, reassuring Lucy and asking her to wait outside, promising her that he won't be harmed. Lucy reluctantly agrees, placing the nurse call button in Leo's hand before leaving with a glare at Matteo.

Alone with Leo, Matteo listens as Leo accepts responsibility for what happened, but Matteo dismisses the guilt. They discuss the attack in detail, with Leo recalling masked assailants who mentioned Jada and Louis, and the fact that they had drugged a girl and were waiting for her to leave the bar. Both men suspect the attackers are connected to the club, and Matteo has men investigating. Leo reveals that Lucy is pregnant, explaining his distraction the night of the attack.

He had canceled their dinner, which upset her, and only after persistent questioning did she reveal the pregnancy before the attack occurred. Matteo and Leo share a brief moment of humor about Lucy's hatred for Matteo. Their conversation is interrupted when Frankie urgently enters, signaling that there is something important Matteo needs to see. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter Fifty - Seven Matteo stepped out of the walk - in cooler and staggered over to the sink . It had been twenty - four hours since Gen was taken .

He'd filled every minute of those hours getting bloodier and bloodier . He rinsed his hands as he replayed the words this last security guard divulged . " I saw a lot of men come in that night ! Please ! " " I only need four . Frankie , give me the pliers again . " " No , no , wait ! I remember now . I , uh , I ... " " I'm listening , " Matteo said as he calmly cleaned the pliers he'd used multiple times in the last day . He wouldn't be so depraved as to mix blood . That was unhygienic . " Mr. Accardi , I swear I didn't see anything ! " Matteo sighed . " Unfortunately for you ...

You never will again either . " The guard's screams echoed in his mind as he used a scrub brush to try to get the blood from under his fingernails . He set the brush down and braced both hands against the stainless steel sink . He stared down at the caked blood and a memory surfaced of something Leo told him . Something about needing a woman on those days you couldn't get the blood from under your nails . He closed his eyes hard . The problem was , if his woman was here , he wouldn't have this blood under his nails . " Accardi , " Frankie said from behind him . " What ?

" he asked , his voice low and clogged with exhaustion . " Leo's awake . " Matteo and Frankie made their way to the hospital where Leo spent the entire night before in surgery and all of that day fighting for his life . Matteo felt a knot uncoil in his stomach at the news that he'd woken up . The doctors weren't sure if he would . They pulled up to the hospital and both walked inside . " Lucy's here , " Frankie warned him . " Great . " Matteo walked up and knocked on Leo's door before opening it . The smell of cleaner and antiseptic clogged his nose .

Leo was on the bed , looking half - dead while his fiance sat beside him , gripping his hand in both of hers . Lucy turned to see who it was and her face turned murderous . " Get . Out , " she demanded , her voice filled with contempt . " No. " Chapter Fifty - Seven " This is your fault ! " she yelled . " You're not the first to say so , " Matteo responded calmly . " Look at him ! Look at what you've done to him ! " Lucy walked up and smacked him across the face . Frankie inhaled sharply behind him , unsure how his boss would react to such an insult .

Matteo held his head to the side for a moment before facing her again . " You get one . Don't ever fucking hit me again , " Matteo warned . " Lucy ... " Leo called . Lucy swiveled around and rushed back to his bedside , tears streaming down her cheeks . " Baby , you're awake . Shh , shh , don't move , okay ? " " Wait outside for me , please ? " Leo asked , caressing her cheek . She shook her head hard . " No , no I'm not leaving you with him . I won't let him hurt you . " Leo gave her a warm smile of reassurance as he brushed his thumb across her cheek . " God , you're beautiful .

" " Stop it , " she begged . " He won't hurt me , Luce . " " I don't trust him , " she whispered . Leo looked up at Matteo and back to Lucy . " I do . And that's got to be enough . Wait outside . If he tries anything I'll scream and you can come to my rescue . " Lucy looked between the two men . She reached over and grabbed the remote attached to his bed . She put it firmly in his hand and made sure to wrap his fingers around it . She placed his thumb on the call button . " I'll be right outside at the nurses ' station . If you need me , you'll hit this , " she demanded .

He smiled and pulled her down for a light kiss . " I promise . " Lucy reluctantly pulled away and walked toward the door . As she passed Matteo she glared up at him and mouthed Go to hell . Matteo chuckled and sighed . He pushed off the doorway and fell into the chair beside Leo . He gave a nod to Frankie who closed the door and stationed himself like a gargoyle on the other side . Matteo looked around at the various tubes protruding out of his closest confidant as well as the bruises and scars exposed by the thin hospital gown he wore .

" I'll accept whatever punishment you see fit , Sir , " Leo said , looking down at his hands . " I have failed you and I understand if ... " " Shut up , Leo , " Matteo groaned . He sighed and laid his head back against the soft cushion of the seat . Most might find it uncomfortable but seeing how he had spent the last twenty - four hours , the chair felt like a cloud . 214 9:05 Tue , Nov 4 B. Chapter Fifty - Seven " I take it you haven't ... " " No , she's still out there . " " I don't think they intend to hurt her . " : Matteo laughed dryly and scrubbed his face with his hands .

" Oh , yeah ? Near death experience turn you into a psychic ? " " No , I had that gift before the gun shots . " Matteo opened his eyes to find a shy smile on Leo's face . " Funny . " " They were wearing masks . If they meant to cause her harm , they would have done so at the club . They want something from you . " " What do you remember ? " Matteo asked , sitting forward . 93 Leo looked down at his hands again . He closed his eyes . " The guy who jumped me had a rooster on his right forearm . The one who shot had dark brown eyes, almost black .

They were wearing masks with everything but their eyes and mouth covered . After they thought they'd taken me down , they dragged me to the wall and started talking about Jada . Something about Louis . They said they'd drugged the girl and just needed to wait until she left the bar . " " You think these guys are linked to the club ? " Matteo pondered . " It's the only thing that makes sense . " Matteo nodded . " I thought the same thing . I have men going through our records now . " " Good . Good , " Leo said with a nod .

He settled back in his bed as if he'd finally relieved himself of a massive burden . " Leo . " " Hm ? " " How did this happen ? You see everything . How did you get distracted enough to ... " " Lucy's pregnant , " he interrupted . Matteo stilled completely . " We were supposed to go to dinner last night and she planned to tell me then . When I canceled , she got upset . At first she wouldn't say why . She wanted it to be a surprise , I guess . Tell me in person . Instead , I pushed and pushed until she told me she was having our baby . Then they jumped me .

" " I guess that explains her erratic behavior just now , " Matteo chuckled . Leo scoffed . " No. She just fucking hates you . " Matteo snorted which caused Leo to laugh and clutch his chest . The door to his room flew open and they both looked up to see Frankie 3/4 Chapter Fifty - Seven staring in at them wide - eyed . " Accardi ... There's something you need to see . " Comments 1 Conclusion The chapter closes on a tense yet intimate moment, underscoring the complex bonds between Matteo, Leo, and Lucy.

Despite the chaos and violence that have unfolded, the characters reveal their vulnerabilities-Leo's fragile state and the weight of impending fatherhood, Lucy's fierce protectiveness, and Matteo's relentless determination. Their emotions intertwine with the harsh realities they face, painting a vivid picture of loyalty, pain, and the hope that even in the darkest times, trust and connection can endure. In this quiet aftermath, the story lingers on the fragile threads holding them together, reminding us that beneath the surface of conflict lies a shared humanity.

With Leo's surprising revelation about Lucy's pregnancy, emotions will run high, adding a new layer of complexity to their already strained relationships. Matteo's struggle to maintain control and protect those he cares about will be tested in ways he never anticipated, especially with Lucy's fierce distrust and the shadow of danger closing in. As the story unfolds, expect secrets to surface and alliances to be questioned. The mysterious men with the rooster tattoo and their connection to the club hint at darker forces at play, and Matteo's investigation will likely uncover unsettling truths.