MATTEO's POV

 I paced the room, the soles of my feet treading an agitated path across the floor, the tension in my body radiating outward like a heat wave. 

In the corners of the room, Charlie puffed contemplatively on his cigar, a silent observer of my growing agitation, while Alonzo kept vigil by the shelves, his steely gaze never wavering from my erratic movements.

 “Maybe it’s traffic?”. Alonzo asked, but I shook my head. 

 “No. I know she must have run off to somewhere”. I said and sighed loudly. “Why do I have to deal with this?”. 

 “She wanted to meet up with you. That's all”. Carter said with a...