Chapter 36
Chapter
Thirty-Six
WREN
P ermission .
“Sorry, Wren. I’m under strict orders to not let you leave unless he gives permission ,” I mimic under my breath.
I can’t decide if Rob just didn’t want to be bothered tonight because a game is on or if Matteo actually decided to be a dick again. The past couple of weeks with Matteo have made me forget that he really is a stubborn bastard. It’s his way or nothing at all, and god forbid you dare cross him. That just isn’t how this relationship is about to be if he’s actually as serious about us as he claims.
I make a show of storming back upstairs and shutting the bedroom door loud enough for Rob to hear because I know he was listening for it. I quickly stuff my phone and wallet into my crossbody bag before slipping on my vans. If they won’t take me, I’ll just take myself. And if any of them have an issue with it, they can kiss my ass .
Very slowly, I open the bedroom door again, this time careful not to make a sound as I head toward the library. The other day, when I was lying out by the pool, I noticed it has a terrace with stairs leading down to the backyard.
The sound of Rob’s game gets further and further away until it’s a very faint background noise as I reach the patio door. “Please don’t let there be any alarms on,” I whisper, pausing with my hand on the door handle. “It’s now or never, bitch.” I take one more deep breath before I slowly turn the handle and push the door open, squeezing my eyes shut as I pause again, waiting to hear Rob’s heavy footsteps storming up the stairs to stop me.
But they never come.
I’m met with the same faint sound.
A smile slowly spreads across my face as I dart down the stairs. Sweet victory.
I remember from my run with Matteo that The Drip wasn’t unbearable, so walking shouldn’t take me too long. I have a little cash on me for a cab, but I want to make sure I’m far enough away from Matteo’s house before I call one. The last thing I need is for Rob to realize I’m gone and find me waiting at the end of the driveway like an idiot.
The Drip seems like the perfect middle ground. I had never thought about it before, but that place is kind of on the line between the richy-rich side of the city and mine. Maybe that’s why I always liked it so much. For an hour, I could forget about all of my responsibilities that weigh me down and actually feel like a normal person in society that has their shit together.
I make it out onto the street without being noticed. There isn’t a man in sight, which I find odd. From what I’ve observed during the few times I have come and gone from this place, there are always a couple guarding outside. That little pessimistic voice in the back of my head is telling me that leaving was too easy. There has to be a catch.
But what?
Matteo hasn’t been around all day, not to mention he didn’t even bother to check in. I just hope I’m back in time before he actually realizes I’m not around. The last thing I want to deal with tonight is his fucking attitude.
My path is lit by the dim street lamps.
It’s just me and the shadows tonight.
Even though I know I’m on the good side of the city, I still take my can of pepper spray out of my bag and place the kitty ring on my finger. Unfortunately, I know all too well what can pop out of the shadows.
It’s not until I’m about ten minutes into my long walk that the paranoia starts to set in. At least, that’s what I’m telling myself it is because I refuse to believe someone is following me again. I don’t have the courage to take a quick look over my shoulder yet, but I just have that feeling. It’s the same one I had on that night I was assaulted. That feeling where the skin on your back prickles from where the unwanted eyes are boring.
A shiver runs through me at the memory. I pick up my pace as I push it to the back of my mind.
In what had to have been the longest forty minutes of my life, I finally made it to The Drip. I’m relieved to find the open sign is still on. I didn’t bother checking the hours before I left.
The bell chimes on the door as I walk inside, inhaling the familiar coffee scent.
I’m surprised that I have to wait in line, considering it’s almost eight p.m. After looking over the menu, I decide on a matcha latte.
My body tenses as the skin on the back of my neck begins to prickle again. The feeling that I’m being watched returns with a vengeance. I try my best to shake it off as I move up a few steps in line. My eyes dart around, hoping to meet someone’s gaze so I can blame it on them and stop being so fucking paranoid, but I come up empty.
A warm flow of air grazes the back of my neck, making me freeze. The presence of heat at my back tells me that someone in line behind me is getting a little too close for comfort.
Nothing would happen in a public place like this, right?
Surely, not when I’m in a line full of people.
“I thought I told you to not leave my house without a man on you.” A sinister whisper whips across the nape of my neck, paralyzing me with fear.
Oh fuck.
“I’m not a happy man, tesoro .” That paralyzing fear lasts all of two seconds. At the recognition of Matteo’s voice, I’m no longer afraid. No, I’m fucking pissed. “You’ve been a very naughty girl.”
“I wouldn’t have had to leave like that if you were actually reasonable,” I hiss quietly, careful not to draw attention. I absolutely despise causing scenes in public. Obviously, there are times when it’s necessary. Every once in a while, you come across someone who needs to be brought back down to reality, but for the most part, I strongly believe heated conversations are not anyone's business but who it’s between.
“How have I not been reasonable? You were almost killed not that long ago. Have you forgotten that?”
“No, I haven’t forgotten. Thanks for the reminder, you dick.”
The cashier cuts Matteo off from whatever bullshit he was about to spew to take my order. I take out my card to pay, but Matteo’s seething glare stops me mid-pull. “Don’t push it,” he grits out through clenched teeth. “You are on thin fucking ice, Wren. Thin. Fucking. Ice.”
I arch my eyebrow as I take in his tense posture. A sly smile slowly creeps onto my face. Matteo looks like a big fucking button that I would just love to push. “I’ll tip you triple whatever he would if you use my card.” Turning to the cashier, I plaster a fake smile on my face as I hold out my credit card. Would Matteo probably tip an insane amount? Yes. Will this little stunt probably max out my measly thousand-dollar limit? Also, yes.
A feral growl releases from Matteo, making the cashier jump, her wide eyes darting between him and me.
Poor girl.
“Ignore him. He doesn't know how to act when he doesn’t get his way,” I say in the sweetest voice I can muster as I extend my arm out even further.
“Oh. Okay.” The girl, who looks like she’s barely eighteen, whispers as she takes my card with a shaky hand. “It’ll be right up.”
“Thank you so much,” I say as I step aside to wait. Matteo follows immediately. “I think you scared her. Was the growl really necessary?”
Matteo’s right eye is twitching violently, and his jaw remains locked as he says nothing.
If I were a better person, pissing Matteo off like this wouldn’t bring me so much happiness. I don’t know what it is, but I just love testing the limits with him. Maybe it’s because I know I’m probably the only one in his world who can get away with it.
And what a fucking rush that is.
Another minute passes with me sneaking glances at Matteo to see if his body language changes before my order is called out, but it doesn’t. I stay silent as I grab my drink and strut out of there, not bothering to wait to see if he follows.
Fuck the cab.
I’d have to wait around, and waiting around means dealing with Matteo. I’d rather stab my eyeball with this fucking paper straw before I have to listen to him tell me that I need a man on me at all times again.
With my matcha latte in one hand and pepper spray in the other, I start walking in the direction of my apartment.
“Where the fuck do you think you’re going?” Matteo hisses as he grips my upper arm, stopping me in my tracks.
I try to shake him off, but he doesn’t budge.
“Let go of me,” I say, surprising myself with how calm I sound because inside, I’m seething.
“No.” Matteo starts dragging me down the sidewalk in the opposite direction. People walking by immediately look away when we make eye contact, trying to make it not obvious that they’re watching this scene play out. Of course, no one actually has the balls to step up and stop the great Matteo Adduci from kidnapping me.
Matteo abruptly stops, making me crash into him. The locks beep on his Bentley before he rips open the door. “Get in the fucking car.”
“No,” I snap, trying to pull back.
“Don’t make me say it again, Wren.”
We’re both glaring at each other as both of our chests rise and fall rapidly in anger.
“Fine,” I agree, taking a step toward the car. Matteo steps back enough for me to slide in as he releases my arm. Without a second thought, I drop my drink, the liquid splashing at my feet before I take off running down the sidewalk .
“God fucking damnit!” Matteo curses as I hear the passenger door slam shut.
I’m sprinting like my life depends on it, weaving in and out of people, trying to get as far away from him as possible. I’m running on pure adrenaline and rage. Rage because I’m so sick of being manhandled and told what to do. Adrenaline because having Matteo chase after me makes me feel like a predator is chasing its prey. Only this chase will end with his face buried in my pussy.
Too soon, I hear the faint sound of heavy footsteps pounding after me. The sound is only pushing me to go faster. It’s been so long since I’ve gotten a decent run in, that I welcome the burn in my thighs that comes with the speed.
I’m not sure how long I’ve been running, but with a quick scan over my shoulder, I no longer see Matteo. Deciding it’s safe to stop, I slow down into a walk as I try to catch my breath.
Holy hell, I feel out of shape.
I never thought that slowly seeing the rundown shops and businesses the closer I got to my place would be comforting, but it is. As nice as it has been escaping reality at Matteo’s, I still feel out of place.
Just as I round the corner of another block a pair of thick, muscular arms wrap around me from behind. A scream rips from my throat as I start thrashing, the can of pepper spray forgotten about as it falls to the ground.
“Scream all you want, Wren.” Matteo's humorless laugh bounces off the buildings as he throws me kicking and screaming over his shoulder. “No one is going to help you. No one is going to come for you. Do you want to know why?” I pause at his rhetorical question, silently debating if I want to be an even bigger bitch and answer, but he beats me to it. “Because you’re fucking mine. ”
I let out another scream as I pound my fists against his back, the kitty ring cutting into his skin, and making him groan. “I swear to god I hate you.”
“Hate is an imitation of love, so by all means, hate away.” I can hear the smirk in his stupid fucking voice. “Keep cutting me with that ring. Every cut makes me think of your nails drawing blood when I fuck that sweet cunt raw.”
“You are the most infuriating man. Count your fucking days, Matteo Adduci. Count your fucking days,” I say, my voice grave as he continues to carry me down the sidewalk. “Put me down.”
“No,” is his simple reply.
“People are staring, Matteo,” I hiss. “Put me down. I promise to act like I’m coming willingly.”
“And you don’t think people weren’t staring when they watched me chase you down the fucking street?” Matteo laughs. “You can run as many times as you want, tesoro , but what did I tell you before? Do you remember?”
I don’t speak for a few moments, not wanting to give him the satisfaction I know my answer will bring. “That you’ll always chase me.”
“Good girl,” Matteo rumbles. I should be relieved at his praise, but I’m not. His voice still holds that scary edge to it, like one more thing will make him snap. “I’ll always chase you. Fucking always.”
Matteo beeps the locks on his car and opens the passenger door once again, only this time, he doesn’t let me go. He switches up his hold so he can carry me bridal style before lowering me into the passenger seat. “Buckle up,” he grits out before slamming my door shut and locking me in.
I glare at his silhouette as it rounds the car.
“So, are we going to go get more of my stuff?” I ask once he turns the car on and speeds off .
“No.” His hand flexes on the steering wheel.
I’m really about to lose my shit on him. “Why? The reason I left in the first place was because Rob wouldn’t take me! I deserve to have more of my things. It’s the least you can do since everyone loves keeping me in the dark with what’s going on.”
“Rob didn’t take you because there’s nothing in your apartment to get. As for the rest, we’ll talk tomorrow when I’ve calmed the fuck down. Right now, you’re making it very hard for me to not take you over my knee and spank your pretty little ass until my handprint is a permanent bruise.”
That familiar ache is starting to build in my lower stomach. I hate that my body responds to him when all I want to do is hate his fucking guts.
“What do you mean there is nothing at my apartment to get?”
“It’s gone.”
My head whips over as I narrow my eyes, “What do you mean it’s gone?”
“It means that nothing is inside the apartment anymore.”
“I swear to fucking god, Matteo!” I scream as I slam my hands on the dashboard. “If you don’t start telling me what the fuck is going on, I’m going to take a baseball bat to every single car that’s in your garage! And once I’m done with that, I’ll slash three tires on every car!”
Matteo brings a fist to his mouth as he coughs, trying to cover his laugh.
“Do you seriously think this is funny?” I ask, my tone sounding scary even to me.
“There’s nothing in your apartment because it’s all at our house.”
Um, what?
Our house ?
“What about my lease?”
“I broke it.”
“You had no right.” I can feel angry tears starting to pool in the corner of my eyes. I’m not a crier, but when I get really mad, it’s like all of those emotions have nowhere to go but out of my body in tainted water. “That was my place!”
“Your place is by my side, Wren. Not a place where any piece of shit can break in and assault you.”
I cross my arms as I slam back in my seat, glaring out the window. I’d give anything to not be in this car with him right now. “That wasn’t your decision to make, Matteo. I get you’re used to calling all of the shots, but that’s not how this relationship is going to go. This is a partnership. You can’t just declare your house as our house. There is no ‘our house’. I haven’t done anything to contribute to it.” Not to mention, I will never be able to contribute to a house that size in this lifetime.
He doesn’t say anything as he parks the car and kills the ignition. Neither one of us makes a move to get out of the car. Matteo lets out a long sigh before finally breaking the silence, “I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what I was doing today, but I won’t apologize for making your life more safe.”
“ More safe?” I ask, scrunching my face up as I feel my attitude leaking full force into my tone.
“Your place was a waiting death trap. Anyone could kick your door in, and they did.”
I don’t respond as I continue to stare at him. I hate that he’s right. It was way too easy for that man to kick my door in. Even though I feel out of place at Matteo’s, the one thing I do feel is safe. It’s the most unsettling feeling.
“Where’s my stuff?” I break the silence as I open my door and get out .
“It’s in the garage. I figured we could find spots for everything tomorrow.”
“This conversation isn’t over,” I say, dismissing him as I head into the house. I’ve had about all I can take from him tonight.
“Out of curiosity, why would you only slash three tires?”
“Because insurance won’t cover it,” I call over my shoulder.
Matteo’s deep laugh fills the garage. “Jesus Christ, you’re fucking crazy.”
The corner of my mouth slowly tips up as I make my way upstairs. Hell yeah, I’m fucking crazy. It’s in his best interest to remember that.