BURNING HOT

CHAPTER 3

SKY settled his broad frame onto the bench and popped a candy into his mouth. Matt playfully nudged him, making a comment about bears having a sweet tooth.

"Not sweets. Honey," he replied with a wide smile, prompting Matt to shake his head in disbelief. Both of them burst into laughter.

"But seriously, Sky, it's hard to believe you have a sweet tooth when you're so big for your age. Comparing you to a bear isn't entirely off," Matt teased.

"Guess I should be concerned that my mom might have had a thing for bears. I might just ask her," Sky chuckled, finding Matt's horrified expression utterly amusing. "I totally got you."

"What the heck, man? You can't talk about your mom and... well, you know, in the same sentence," Matt whispered, his tone a mix of shock and amusement.

"Yeah, right. If you only knew the situations I've endured just for being her son. Her looks are enough to stir up trouble," Sky mused. Over time, Matt would grow more comfortable, as he and his mom had faced numerous challenges that had moved them beyond feeling embarrassed about most things. They had a different perspective on societal norms.

"I've lost count of how many times people have referred to my mom as a stunning goddess," Sky revealed, watching his friend's face turn beet red as he choked on his drink. The memories of countless moments laughing with Matt flooded back. The term "goddess" was the mildest description people had for her. Deciding to spare Matt further embarrassment, Sky refrained from delving deeper. He knew Matt was likely still processing last night's events.

"You know, you could admit what you think about her. The guys at school never hold back about her, even if I'm standing right there. Trust me, it'd be less awkward for us," Sky suggested. Beyond the attention he received for his own appearance, which many girls drooled over, plenty of people had tried to befriend him just to get close to his mom. The irony of it all never ceased to amuse him.

"I can't shake her from my thoughts, Sky," he confessed to his friend. "Oddly enough, it's not in a s****l way, and you can imagine how strange that sounds." Matt chuckled; he had a reputation as a ladies' man, effortlessly charming the girls he met.

"I'm genuinely concerned about her. She's a strong woman, Sky, and I have immense respect for her," he said, speaking of the woman who had overcome countless challenges to be alive and present for him. The thought of her as a young mother, raising her son alone, was something he couldn't fathom.

"Don't worry, buddy. You'll find yourself falling for her pretty quickly and then becoming as grumpy as I am," Sky reassured him.

"I don't know about becoming grumpy like you. I appreciate the attention just fine. I doubt I'll ever be like you, snapping at girls left and right." He grinned, knowing he didn't need to fend them off since Sky handled that role for both of them. "You've scared off every girl I've tried to hang out with."

"Those artificial types who pretend all the time? You don't need them, Matt. They're no fun anyway," Sky quipped.

Matt was about to respond when he noticed two men approaching them. "Looks like we've got company," he remarked, and Sky turned to see. He grumbled at the sight of their bodyguards inside the school; their presence was unwelcome.

It was Matt's own bodyguard who reached them first, followed by Stark, who also happened to be Matt's uncle. When Matt had decided to come to the state, his father had sent his right-hand man along with him.

"Matt, your father wants you back in Sicily," Stark informed them.

Sky observed his friend's face turn cold and rigid, a reaction that often occurred whenever his father was involved. "But we still have classes," Matt protested.

"The school has been informed of your absence," Mr. Stark explained. "We need to leave now; it's a long journey back."

"What?" Matt practically sprang from his seat. He was thankful they were in the private break room, a space shared by few students. Currently, they were the only ones there. "He wants me back in Italy just like that? My exams start next week."

"How about you head back and let him know that I'm not leaving? If he suddenly starts missing me, he's more than welcome to come down here," Matt retorted, well aware that such a response might earn him some form of retaliation from his father. "And if he can't make it, then he'll have to be patient. I'm in no hurry to rush back there."

His father never truly seemed to care whether he was present or not. There was likely an immediate threat or some ulterior motive behind wanting him locked up at home. Matt's uncle seemed to be preparing a counter-argument.

"Easy there, Uncle. I've made up my mind; I won't budge regardless of what you say," Matt stated firmly. Stark, his uncle, was an intimidating individual. In his late 50s, he exuded ruggedness and was adorned with tattoos. Even in a well-tailored suit, the man's fierce aura remained.

Sky glanced at Ryder, his own bodyguard, who stood stoically with a neutral expression. Ryder was undoubtedly the calmest among Sam's team, and Sky was grateful to have him as his protector. He knew Ryder intervened as long as he didn't.

Interrupting the tense atmosphere, Sky stood up and suggested, "Matt, since we're off the hook for school today, how about you make good on that promise of taking me for a ride?"

Mr. Stark's attempt to interject was swiftly quashed by Matt's agreement. As they began to move, Sky addressed the older man, saying, "My apologies, Mr. Stark. I'll acknowledge your presence when you're not getting on my friend's nerves." With that, they started to leave the room, with Ryder and Stark trailing behind.

"We never discussed any ride," Matt whispered, a sly grin forming on his face.

"Well we are now," Sky replied with a smile. "And perhaps later, we can finally check out that new club you've been bugging me about."

Matt was almost taken aback but managed to keep walking. "Well, that's certainly good news," he admitted with a pleased expression.

~°~°~•~°~°~

Al returned his phone to his pocket, running a hand through his hair while letting out a string of curses that could've put a sailor to shame. He should have predicted that Matt would defy a direct order; the boy seemed to take a strange joy in getting under his skin.

"Stark couldn't convince him to get on the plane, could he?" Katrina's voice cut through the air as she played with one of her favorite knives, deftly flipping it in her hand. She had a deadly precision with blades. "I told you Stark would soften over time. It's been three years since you last saw them. What excuse did he give?"

Al gazed at her and shook his head. Calling Matt the sole source of his irritation was a blunder; Kat had the potential to turn his hair gray well before he hit forty. He often wondered why his son couldn't be more like her.

Eight years ago, during one of the many territorial wars between his family and another powerful Mafia clan in Italy, his men had stumbled upon a young girl around the age of nine along with a group of trafficked females. The operation was meant to intercept a truck delivering a dangerous cache of firearms to their rival's territory. While they did find the weapons, they also discovered ten women who had been trafficked into Italy and were in deplorable condition.

"Stark mentioned that Matt didn't want to leave in the middle of his final exams," Al replied, his frustration evident. It irked him beyond measure. He questioned why he had allowed his mother to persuade him into sending Matt to the United States in the first place. However, back then, Sicily hadn't been safe, and he had even suggested that Katrina accompany Matt. But the young girl had refused to leave his side from the very day she was discharged from the hospital, her memory shattered and nowhere else to turn.

"Well, I did mention that to you," Kat remarked.

"If only he had agreed to homeschooling, like you did, we wouldn't be facing this problem," Al retorted.

"Well, not everyone can handle your formidable presence. See, I'm your one and only fan," Kat teased, her tone sing-song.

"My formidable presence? Seriously? Is that just a euphemism for being annoying?" he asked with a smile, glancing briefly at her before they settled in a cozy spot not far from the pool.

"Even if you're often a pain, don't worry, I'm not going anywhere," she grinned, playfully blowing him a kiss.

Al couldn't really complain, since the truth was that Kat was the only one who seemed to enjoy his company so much. But that was mainly because she relished the opportunity to annoy him.

"Still, the situation is grave. News has reached the Bonanno's, and while they can't reach me or anyone here, Matt is an easy target, especially since Stark is the only one with him," Al admitted with a heavy sigh.

"They're aiming to use him as leverage to force your hand into allowing them access to our secure line, and we're all aware of what they intend to use that for," Kat said through clenched teeth, her gaze averted from Al.

Al nodded in agreement. "I won't let that happen. But I need Matt here, where I know he'll be safe," he replied just as one of his men approached them.

"Boss, we caught some of the Bonanno's men attempting to snoop around our businesses in town. We apprehended all three of them, and they're currently detained at our nearest warehouse," the man reported.

"Damn, what's the point of sneaking around if it's only going to lead to trouble?" Kat muttered, before flashing a sweet smile at Rob. "You should let me handle them. You know how quickly I can make them talk."

Al shook his head at her proposition. "No, you won't. What I need you to do is pack a bag and bring Matt back home. I'll have Dominica prepare the jet, so within three days, you all should be back here," he instructed Kat, then turned to address Rob. "Keep them without food or water for a few days. I don't have time to play games with Bonanno and his men."

"Sure thing, boss," Rob acknowledged before leaving their vicinity.

"Come on, Al. Why should I be the one to travel all the way to San Francisco?" Kat whined, her brows furrowed.

"Because I'm asking you to," Al replied succinctly. He had watched Matt and Kat grow up together, close as siblings, only for Matt to decide he wanted to leave without taking Kat along. Despite their closeness, three years had passed, and Kat refused to admit she missed him. He knew their relationship was more complex than siblinghood.

"Well, Matt is quite a bit like you, so I doubt I could persuade him to come back with me after he's decided to stay," Kat argued.

"Then drug him and get him here. He'll only be angry at you momentarily when he wakes up halfway home. Tell him it was my idea," Al suggested.

"I'm not sure I could do that. It would shatter any trust he still has in me," Kat whispered, her voice barely audible. "You know how he is about things like that."

"It's a last resort, and I'm certain you can find a way to convince him," Al stated, locking his gaze onto hers. "Come on, help me let Mom know that I'll be with her shortly. She's eager to go out."

"It's not her fault. Staying cooped up at home for weeks isn't easy," Kat replied, her tone sympathetic. She had found ways to accompany him on business trips and missions, ensuring she wasn't left behind. That was a lesson she had learned early on: usefulness prevented her from being sidelined. She had picked up numerous tricks with various knives during her time spent in such situations. Sharp blades held a special place in her heart.

The looming issue with Bonanno needed swift resolution, and returning to normal business operations was a priority. Additionally, Al found himself yearning for a vacation to clear his mind. His growing irritation wasn't something he could ignore much longer.

"Well, I'd better make my exit then," Kat said, her tone indicating she was ready to act on the task at hand.

"The plane should be ready within two hours. I might still be out with Mom. Rob and Lui will accompany you to the port," Al informed her.

"Here's to hoping luck is on my side; I'll surely need it," Kat replied with a hint of apprehension.

Al observed as Kat stood up and began to head back to the house. He could tell from her demeanor that she wasn't thrilled with his decision. Yet, he was convinced that if anyone could persuade Matt, it was Kat.

His mother's words echoed in his mind. No matter how hard he tried to suppress it, the talk had stirred up old wounds. He recognized that he had mishandled his relationship with Matt, and the realization weighed heavily on him.

His life had been forever altered after that pivotal visit to Mexico with his father all those years ago. The memory of her still held him captive – the woman who was meant for him, who had entered his world like a ray of sunshine with her blazing eyes, and yet had vanished just as swiftly. She arrived like a tempest, engulfing his very soul, only to depart and leave him as an empty shell. The intensity of her presence contrasted with the void she left behind. He still vividly remembered the day he awoke alone in the hotel room, discovering that not even her name was real.

In his relentless search, he discovered that she hadn't been one of the girls who accompanied their parents to the peace summit held that year, which brought together more than twenty lord bosses and their families. The girl was an enigma, a phantom who appeared in his life only to escape him. No trace of her existed, and he recalled the eerie coincidence of their meeting. She had been like a ghost, sent to infiltrate his heart, only to cruelly tear it apart and disappear.

He had buried those memories deep within, an attempt to shield his sanity. Yet, when his mother had dredged up the past, he found himself unable to suppress those emotions again. His body ached to feel her soft skin against his, the memory of their intimate moments ingrained in his very being. She had been his first, and he hers. The chemistry between them had been electrifying, so intense that even as she shed tears for another man, he had thought that anyone who caused her pain didn't deserve her. He could recall the way her pleading eyes had locked onto his, urging him to take her, and he had been helpless to deny her or himself, despite the wrongness of it all.

He hadn't known how young she truly was until she whispered her real age to him afterward. That revelation had given context to the rejection she had suffered from the man she had cried over.

The guilt had gnawed at him, as he regretted succumbing to his lust. Her age had been a minor consolation at the time. Six of the daughters who attended that same party had also been sixteen, but none of them had been her. He had playfully jested about her name not suiting her, and she had laughed in response, sharing nothing more.

Then, tragedy struck. His father fell gravely ill upon their return to Italy, arranging for Al to marry his best friend's daughter, whose family controlled the territory's banking sector. It had seemed like a sensible move, with the man's lack of a male heir leaving their family vulnerable to threats.

The marriage, a strategic union, had been solidified only weeks before his father's passing. He had wed a woman five years his senior, and she treated him with disdain, her scorn also directed toward their son, Matt. Maggie was a self-absorbed woman who cherished herself above all else, and she ensured that their wedding night was consummated, resulting in the birth of Matt.

The actions of his father and his closest ally had been entirely focused on securing their territories, forging a mightier and more formidable gang. Their ambition blinded them to the happiness and future of their own children. And now, the two men were gone, leaving Al to bear the brunt of their ill-conceived decisions.

The repercussions of their ruthless choices reverberated through his life, forcing him to confront the consequences of their insatiable thirst for power. It was a bitter irony that the very strength they had sought to attain had resulted in the erosion of their personal lives. The pursuit of dominance came at the expense of their loved ones' well-being.

The weight of their legacy now rested squarely on Al's shoulders. He was left to grapple with the aftermath of their choices, piecing together the fragments of a shattered family and damaged relationships. The pain of their absence was an ever-present reminder of their misguided priorities.

He was determined to break the cycle, to forge a path that balanced strength and humanity, power and compassion. As the torchbearer of their legacy, Al vowed to navigate the intricate web of power dynamics while cherishing the bonds that truly mattered. In doing so, he hoped to redeem the legacy that had been tarnished by his predecessors' shortsightedness. That was all his mother ever really wanted for their family.

Amidst the turmoil of his inheritance, Al recognized the need for change. The next generation deserved more than the cold calculation that had governed his father and his friend's decisions. He was resolved to rewrite the narrative, to infuse their world with empathy, understanding, and a glimpse of the happiness that had been so callously disregarded before.

He had wallowed in guilt, convinced that he was to blame for everything. Yet, his mother's words echoed insistently in his mind: "You were just nineteen, my love. Don't torment yourself for events beyond your control." But he had left Matt behind, entrusted his upbringing to his mother, and had not been fully present for his son. Regrets burdened him, but he knew the first step was to bring Matt home.

His lost love couldn't be reclaimed, but he had to establish a connection with his son before it was too late – if it wasn't already.