"He's your half-brother?" Massimo asked, instantly stepping between Elena and the man.
Elena nodded. "Why are you even here, Matteo?" she asked.
Matteo sheepishly rose to his feet. "It's not really important—don't worry about it."
Massimo glared at the younger man.
Matteo stifled a yep and turned it into a cough. He cowered in on himself, drawing his shoulders close to his body.
"What are you doing here, Elena?" Matteo asked instead. "Mom and Dad have been super worried about you. And with everything going on, they really—"
Massimo walked closer into the room and got into Matteo's personal space. "My patience for fools isn't high," Massimo warned.
Matteo audibly gulped.
Elena laid a hand on Massimo. "Let me handle this," she said softly.
Elena turned to her brother. She was prep
