+35 BONUS


    331 Lunch With Matteo


    (Jayden)


    Matteo''s text is straight to the point: Lunch. Best restaurant in Brussels. Be there at 1.


    There''s a location pinned. I nce at my Rolex.


    I message back: Don''t think I''m taking lunch break


    His answer is quick: Nonsense. You''re the boss, no?


    Well, damn it. He''s right. I am.


    When I step out of the town car, I''m greeted by cobblestones underfoot and an old-world elegance that hits different from the sleek, modern vibes back home


    The restaurant is a hidden gem tucked away from the bustling streets, its charm oozing out from ivy-covered walls and grand arches.


    He''s already seated by the window, casually leaning back, a ss of red wine in one hand, his grin radiating confidence.


    "There he is!" Matteo calls out, raising his ss as if we''ve known each other for years. "Jayden! Amico mio, you made it! Hungry?"


    "I could eat," I say, sitting down across from him.


    Matteoughs. "Perfetto. We''re going local today. Belgian cuisine at its finest. You''ll leave here in love with stoofvlees-trust me. A Belgian stew. Delicioso."


    The waiter arrives, and Matteo wastes no time. "Bonjour! Deux fois stoofvlees et une bouteille de votre meilleur vin rouge!" He doesn''t even nce at the menu.


    He turns back to me, his boyish grin still in ce. "So, Jayden, what do you think of Brussels so far?"


    "It''s different. A bit...slower than what I''m used to," I admit. "But in a good way. The age of some of the buildings astounds me, to be honest. People are very weing."


    Matteo raises an eyebrow, swirling his wine. "Ah, that''s the European way. We work hard, sure, but we live and y hard too. Not like the corporate very they try and force on us. No! It''s about bnce-about savoring life."


    Just then, a couple of women pass to sit at a neighboring table, giggling as they throw Matteo appreciative nces. I watch as he gives them a wink, his smile widening.


    He holds his ss up to them before he drinks.


    "They can''t help themselves," he says quietly to me, barely concealing his smirk. "It''s the Italian blood, you know? Makes us irresistible." Then heughs out loud.


    Iugh, shaking my head. "You don''t seem to mind the attention."


    He shrugs. "Beautyes in all shapes, sizes, and personalities, amico. I appreciate them all. But right now, I''m more interested in lunch."


    301 Lunch With Mettee


    "Thanks for the invite. I need the downtime."


    "They''ll have to survive without us for a few more hours." He nods. "So, tell me-how are you really finding Nexus Global?"


    "It''s...a lot. More than I expected."


    He nods, like he understands immediately. "Of course. Gus ran it like a military camp. No room for fun, no room for anything but perfection."


    "Indeed. I''d like a dor for every time I have to say I''m not Gus. I''d be an even richer man." I smile. Matteo''s good mood is infectious, and I sip the wine. It''splex and very good. "Hugo, I think Gus is like his father, you know? They have a history." He shrugs. "Astrid, well," He rolls his eyes dramatically, letting out a low chuckle. "She''s wound tighter than a Swiss watch." "I''ve noticed," I say, trying not tough.


    "Amico mio, Astrid''s like an ice queen. Gorgeous, powerful, terrifyingly efficient. I think in the bedroom too, no?" Matteo waggles his eyebrows, leaning in conspiratorially. "I bet she''s a total dominatrix Strict, controlling... I want to try it." I nearly choke on my wine. "You''re serious?" I push back thoughts of my time with Ashlyn. I don''t want to go back there again but I do get what Matteo is saying about it.


    "Dead serious. There''s something about that cold exterior... it''s irresistible." He sighs dramatically.


    "Also addictive."


    He nces at me and nods like he gets I''ve been there or something. But he says nothing and continues his conversation.


    "But she''s untouchable. I''ve tried a few times to crack that shell. No luck yet. Maybe one day."


    "Good luck with that." I smile.


    "Sofia, though-cara mia..."


    He trails off with a sly grin, and I feel my stomach twist. I know where he''s going with this, and part of me doesn''t want to hear it. I''ve got some vibes from her but I''ve ignored them. "Sofia''s different," Matteo continues, lowering his voice. "She''s all business on the surface, but she runs her life like a soap opera. I''ve been there. She''s fun, but-'' He waves a hand. "But?"


    "Drama follows her like a shadow. Don''t let her fool you. She loves to be in control then she has something over you, you understand?"


    "She''s been helping me a lot with the transition," I say.


    Matteoughs, a low, knowing chuckle. "Si, si, she''s very... helpful. But let me give you some advice. Don''t mix business with pleasure."Content (C) N?v/elDra/ma.Org.


    "I''m not...I love my wife and my family."


    331 Lunch With Matteo


    "I know, I know." Matteo raises his hands in mock surrender. "But just keep your guard up. And hey-don''t let Astrid see you getting too chummy with Sofia. She''ll have your balls mounted on the wall before you can say ''arrivederci." "I do not doubt that."


    We bothugh, but his words hit closer to home than I''d like to admit. The brief reminder of Ashlyn, and the darkness that rtionship brought out in me, is not going to affect me again.


    "You''re different from what I expected, Matteo," I say after a moment, genuinely meaning it.


    Matteo shes a grin. "People think I''m just the numbers guy. But I know how to live. And trust me, Jayden -you''re going to need to know how to live if you want to survive Nexus Global. This ce will swallow you whole if you let it." "And you don''t think it''s toote for that?" I ask, only half-joking.


    "Not yet. But it will be if you let Astrid''s iron fist dictate everything. You''ve got balls-I hope-use them. Change the culture. Gus was a god here, but gods need sessors, and you''re not him. So why pretend?"


    I can''t shake the feeling that I''m standing on the edge of something-something that could change everything in my life. That could change me.


    And for the first time, I think I''m actually ready for it.


    "Who knows, amico mio, maybe you''ll crack Astrid before I do." Matteo grins as we stand to leave." Though I wouldn''t bet on it."


    Iugh, shaking my head as we head out. "Not a chance. I''m not trying. If you think Astrid is fierce, wait till you meet my wife, Winona." I smile widely.


    "Oh really? You lucky, lucky bastard. Let''s drink to strong women. May they always be there to kick our ass." He raised his ss and I raised mine. "And sometimes to spank them, no?"


    We toast.


    I feel like I''ve just made a friend who will challenge everything I thought I knew.


    Matteo just might be the friend I didn''t realize I needed.


    332 A Second Opinion


    332 A Second Opinion