Accardi by allison franklin novel

You Were My Favorite Hurt, And My Hardest Goodbye by Ava Knight 90 Summary In this intense chapter, Matteo confronts Galante with a gun, demanding the release of his number two, Frankie, who had been held captive. The tension is palpable as Matteo asserts his authority and warns of the consequences if his orders are not followed. Genevieve (Gen) watches nervously, feeling the heat of the moment and the raw anger emanating from Matteo. After the confrontation, Matteo orders Frankie to take Gen and Beatrice outside, showing his protective side despite the chaos.

Once outside, the atmosphere shifts as Matteo's anger simmers and he instructs Leo to take Beatrice to the hospital immediately. Gen senses the weight of the situation as Matteo's rage is barely contained, and she clings to his scent for comfort. The chapter then moves to a high-speed escape through New York's streets, with Matteo driving recklessly, his tension and frustration visible in his clenched jaw and strained muscles. The conflict escalates when Matteo confronts Frankie in a deserted alley.

Furious at Frankie for involving Gen and making decisions without his consent, Matteo violently attacks him. Gen intervenes, trying to stop the fight, revealing the deep emotional turmoil between the men. Frankie accuses Matteo of having lost his edge long ago, blaming him for the deaths of their comrades and even family, exposing painful truths that Matteo struggles to face. The chapter ends with Matteo's brutal outburst and a moment of grim silence as Frankie lies injured.

Matteo's complex emotions-anger, regret, sadness, and guilt-surface as he orders Gen to get in the car, signaling a temporary retreat but leaving the tension unresolved. The chapter highlights the fraught relationships, loyalty, and the heavy burdens the characters carry. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter Ninety "Glad you could join us, Accardi," Galante sneered, his voice thick with irritation.

"How did you manage to get in here?" Matteo shot back sharply, "I'd suggest you ask the six men you had guarding the back, but if you want an answer, you might need to invest in a Ouija board." Galante let out a derisive laugh. "Too bad." Matteo's lips curled into a sneer. "We both know you're clever enough to understand the consequences of your little stunt." Galante snorted dismissively. "I don't see any ring on her finger." "She's mine, ring or no ring. Nothing's stopping me from putting two bullets in your head," Matteo said coldly, the threat hanging heavy in the air.

"You're aware of the laws between our families. If you kill me for threatening a woman who isn't even your Donna yet, Palladino will have no choice but to declare war." "That is, if Conor wants revenge. Tell me, Michele, how's your relationship with your son these days?" A chill ran through Gen as the gun lowered from her head, and Michele let out an exasperated sigh. She stumbled backward a few steps, clutching Beatrice's hand tightly, but couldn't resist glancing back. Matteo still held the gun pressed against Michele's temple.

Her heart fluttered wildly at the fierce expression etched across his face. His dress shirt was rumpled, one shoe untied, and his hair disheveled as if he'd run his hands through it repeatedly in frustration. His jaw twitched as he stared down the man who had been moments away from ending her life. The raw anger, the intensity, the cold ruthlessness-it all made her heart tighten painfully. God, in that moment, he was unbearably attractive. "Now, tell your men to release my second-in-command. Trust me, he'll get what's coming to him," Matteo commanded.

Michele smiled at Gen and gave a sly wink. "You heard the Don." "Get off me!" Frankie growled, wrenching himself free from the grip of the three men holding him against the wall. He strode toward Matteo. "Accardi, look-" Matteo removed the gun from Michele's temple only to pivot and point it at Frankie. Frankie froze, raising his hands in surrender. "Get out," Matteo hissed, his voice thick with barely contained fury, the words barely audible. "Take Genevieve and Beatrice outside and wait for me." Frankie nodded silently, his eyes locked on the gun that followed his every step.

He took Beatrice's hand from Gen and began moving toward the door. When Gen hesitated, he reached out, gently grabbing her wrist to urge her along. She kept her gaze fixed on Matteo, who had already shifted his focus back to Michele the moment Frankie moved the girls. He didn't glance at her once, remaining coiled with tension until they reached the front door. As it swung shut behind them, she noticed him finally exhale for the first time. The crisp New York night air pulled her attention away, and she accepted the jacket Leo offered.

Wrapping herself in Matteo's scent, she felt a bittersweet comfort as Leo shook his head disapprovingly before turning to help Frankie get Beatrice into one of the waiting cars. "We're getting you out of here, Bea," Frankie promised softly. "As soon as the boss finishes, we'll get you to the hospital. Just hold on a little longer." Gen moved closer to hear their conversation better. Beatrice caught her eye and looked up, tears shimmering in her gaze. Her throat worked as she fought back the overwhelming flood of emotions from everything she'd been through.

She licked her lips and mouthed a silent "Thank you." Gen smiled gently and gave a small shrug in reply. Suddenly, the door behind them slammed open. Everyone turned as Matteo stormed out of the restaurant. Gen scanned him quickly-no blood, no visible injuries. Had he killed Galante? Had a deal been struck? For the first time, Matteo's eyes flicked up, locking with hers. She instinctively took a step backward, caught off guard by the fierce rage burning in his dark eyes-a look she had never seen before.

*** "Get in the car," Matteo growled, his gaze fixed on the vehicle he wanted her to enter. Without hesitation, Gen hurried past him, nearly stumbling over her heels as she rushed toward the passenger door of the car behind them. "You..." Matteo snarled. "Look, I had no choice but to go to her when I saw..." Frankie began. "Shut the fuck up, Frank. Get in the car behind ours. Follow me. That's an order. Or have you forgotten who's in charge here?" Matteo snapped. Frankie's eyes narrowed-a look Gen had to admire. As he passed, he gave Matteo a light knock on the shoulder.

She glanced to the car behind the one she stood beside. Stephen offered a shy wave, waiting for his brother to climb into the passenger seat. "Hey, Bea, how are you holding up?" Matteo asked, his tone noticeably softer than the sharp, clipped voice he'd used with Gen and Frankie. "Don't be too hard on them, Boss. They were just trying to help," Beatrice pleaded quietly. "Seems like everyone's forgotten who's really in charge, huh?" Matteo said without waiting for a reply. He slowly closed the door and turned to Leo. "Get her to the hospital. Make sure she's seen first.

Keep me updated on her condition as soon as you hear anything." Leo nodded and moved to the driver's side. The tires squealed against the pavement as he sped away from the curb. Matteo watched the car disappear, his hands buried deep in his pockets. She saw his shoulders rise and fall slowly before he turned to her still standing outside the car. "Get. In," he hissed. Gen slid into the passenger seat and clicked her seatbelt into place just as Matteo flung open the driver's door. He paused briefly, glancing over the top of the car.

She followed his gaze to see Galante standing at the restaurant entrance, a smug smirk playing on his lips, as if this entire situation had been part of his plan all along. Moments later, Matteo dropped into the driver's seat, revved the engine, and peeled away from the curb, weaving through the streets with reckless speed. Gen gripped the door panel tightly as he ran red lights and darted down narrow alleys toward a destination unknown to her. Her heart pounded wildly with every sharp turn and sudden stop.

She dared to steal a glance at the man beside her-the man who had saved her life twice now. His knuckles were white against the black leather steering wheel. The muscles in his forearms strained beneath the fabric of his rumpled dress shirt. His jaw was clenched tight, eyes hard and focused. His nostrils flared with each short, ragged breath. Then, suddenly, the car screeched to a halt. Tires squealed behind them as Stephen struggled to keep the cars from crashing into each other. Gen looked around, taking in the grimy, trash-strewn alleyway where they had stopped.

Matteo flung open his door and stepped out. She fumbled with her seatbelt, her nervous fingers slipping over the red release button. Shouts echoed behind her. She finally freed herself and stepped out just in time to see Matteo throw the first punch. "Matteo!" "You had no right to drag her into this mess. What the fuck were you thinking?" Matteo shouted at Frankie. Frankie wiped blood from his nose, shaking his head as he pushed Stephen away to stand on his own. His face was bruised and battered, but his glare was fierce. "I was thinking someone needed to step in and save Bea.

You weren't here. It's my job to take over when you're not around." Matteo scoffed. "You crossed a line. You don't call meetings. You don't make decisions. And you sure as hell don't involve her in anything she has no business being part of!" "You said she was involved! Bea was in danger. He would've killed her if no one showed up, and you know it! Just because you've gone soft..." Matteo lunged forward, slamming Frankie against the hood of the car. He clenched Frankie's shirt in one hand and pummeled him with the other.

Each blow made Frankie's head snap back against the cold metal before the next hit landed. "Matteo! Stop!" Gen rushed forward, desperate to prevent him from killing his best friend. She grabbed Matteo by the arm holding Frankie and tried to pull him away. "Stop this! Now! I agreed to this!" she yelled, finally managing to wrestle him back. "You know she didn't know what she was agreeing to!" Matteo spat down at Frankie's battered body. Frankie turned his head to spit blood, accepting Stephen's steadying hand to help him back up. His face was twisted with anger as he stared at his boss.

"Yeah, she did. Once she saw the video, she..." Frankie began. "You showed her the fucking video?!" Matteo growled. "Yeah! And it hit a nerve! You know why? Because you put her in that exact same position before," Frankie wheezed. Matteo took a step forward, but Gen planted her feet firmly and held him back. "No, it's fine, Gen. Let him have it. If he knocks me out, he won't have to listen to me anymore. He won't have to hear the truth-the truth that he went soft long before he met you." Matteo growled low in his throat.

"Yeah, you want us to think it's because you fell in love, but you and I both know the truth, don't we? You lost it long before she came along. If not, George and Teller would still be here with us." Again Matteo tried to move forward, but Gen's grip was unyielding. She glanced at Frankie, who watched Matteo with bitter contempt. She realized this was a confrontation he had been longing for, consequences be damned. Frankie shook his head. "You got lazy. You checked out. You gave up because you were tired of being the Boss.

Woe is me, I'm rich and powerful-life is so damn hard!" He took a shaky breath, the effort rattling in his chest. "It's your fault they're dead: George, Teller, Mike, Willy, Joe. It's your fault they're all gone. And it's not just their blood on your hands, is it?" Matteo's body stiffened under Gen's touch. "You let your own mother and brother die just so you could have a few days off." Gen gasped as Matteo's breathing stopped altogether. His muscles tensed, and the skin beneath her fingers vibrated with restrained energy. Frankie's eyes flicked to her briefly before returning to his target.

Gen looked toward the car, then slowly released Matteo's arm. She couldn't bear to watch as Matteo stepped forward. A sickening crack echoed through the empty alley where the two cars idled. She turned in time to see Matteo holding Frankie's limp body by the shirt, gently lowering him to the ground before releasing his grip. Matteo strode back toward her. Stephen stepped forward, pressing two fingers to Frankie's neck. He sighed deeply and nodded to Gen, confirming his brother was still alive.

Matteo passed her and said quietly, his voice heavy with a mixture of anger, regret, sadness, and guilt, "Get in the car." Conclusion The chapter closes on a raw and tumultuous note, capturing the intense emotional and physical battles Matteo faces-not just with external enemies, but within his own fractured family and conscience. The fierce protectiveness he displays toward Gen and Beatrice reveals the depth of his love, yet it also exposes the cracks in his leadership and the toll his past has taken on him.

Through the heated confrontation with Frankie, the story delves into themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the heavy burden of leadership, underscoring how Matteo's personal demons continue to shape his decisions and relationships. Despite the violence and tension, there is a palpable undercurrent of vulnerability beneath Matteo's hardened exterior, mirrored in Gen's steadfast support and desperate attempts to keep peace. The chapter leaves readers with a poignant sense of unresolved pain and the fragile hope that healing might come, even amid chaos.

As the lines between friend and foe blur, the fragile bonds holding this world together may start to unravel in unexpected ways. Genevieve's role in this dangerous game will become even more complex, caught between her growing feelings for Matteo and the harsh realities of the violent world they inhabit. The aftermath of the brutal confrontation in the alley will test her resilience and loyalty, while Matteo's inner turmoil threatens to spill over, endangering those he cares about most.

Prepare for moments of heart-wrenching vulnerability, fierce confrontations, and decisions that could change everything.