Chapter 5
Chapter Five
MATTEO
T ension fills the SUV, making me feel like I can’t breathe.
Shifting in the driver’s seat and with one hand on the wheel, I pull at my tie, loosening it before opening my top button. My jaw tightens, anger slithering through my body that I am allowing Athena fucking Johnson to affect me this much. It’s fucking stupid. She is a nobody. Just some overprivileged little brat, desperate for a ride on the dangerous side.
I will not be the one to give her that, but I am sure one of Nico’s many other soldiers would jump at the chance. She should take a shot at one of them, instead of showering her attention on me. My hands tighten around the steering wheel on their own volition. Why does the thought of someone else’s hands on her make me see red?
My feelings for her are pure hatred. And yet… Nico’s words, about fucking our issues out, intrigue me more than I would like to admit.
Reaching up with one hand I scrub a palm across my mouth, my mind going haywire. I can’t deny Athena makes me feel unsettled. The whisper of unease, flowing under my skin, is evidence of that. But why?
Women have never made me feel this way. Usually, they are just a warm hole to find release, no feelings or emotions involved. Just a quick fuck and that’s it. So why, despite my feelings of hate toward Athena, have I allowed her to claw her way beneath the surface?
“I have a date tonight.” The source of my inner turmoil breaks into my thoughts.
Irritation works its way through my body, my head whipping around and throwing her a glower.
“Stop talking. I don’t want to hear your voice,” I hiss.
Hurt flashes in her eyes before she quickly shuts it down. I look back to the road, not wanting to witness the pain I caused. If I know Athena like I think I do, she will not want to show any vulnerability. I’m proven right in the next second, when she spits pure venom at me. “You don’t have to be such an asshole all the time. I was only telling you that I am over you and I have a hot date tonight.”
Pausing, I let her words sink in. She is going on a date. Since when?
Not wanting to show any emotion toward her, I shrug.
“Good for you. Someone else you can sink your teeth into.” My voice is nonchalant, though the blood is boiling in my veins.
Stalking Athena Johnson and her date was not on my bingo card for tonight. But what choice do I have? I might not like the girl, but I’m intrigued all the same.
She huffs dramatically, falling back against the leather seat. “I’m not a vampire, Matteo.”
“Coulda fooled me,” I mutter.
Out of the corner of my eye, I see her shift to face me. “Why the hostility toward me? I have done nothing wrong to you apart from being attracted to you. Does that warrant such hate toward me?”
“Don’t act innocent Athena. Your little glares haven’t gone unnoticed. You hate me just the same.”
“I only act that way because of how you treat me. You look at me like you would enjoy watching the life drain from my eyes as you strangled me.”
“Maybe I would,” I throw back flippantly.
Athena scoffs, throwing her hands in the air. “Fuck you.”
“In your dreams. I would have to be unconscious before you got anywhere near my cock.”
She laughs but it’s humorless. “Don’t challenge someone who enjoys it. I live for the chase, and the thought of making you eat crow...” Athena trails off, and I don’t miss the excitement in her voice. “Well, let’s just say I will have fun getting myself off to thoughts of it tonight.”
“Thought you had a date?” I throw back instead of dignifying her with an answer.
“I do. But contrary to what you think, I don’t fuck men on the first date.”
Laughing, I say. “You expect me to believe that? Jesus Christ Athena, you may as well walk around with a sign saying open for business .” It’s a low blow, but the reminder of her out with another man tonight has me seething.
“I’m not a fucking whore.” Now she is the one raging. I can practically feel her vibrating with anger next to me. “Stop the car. I can walk the rest of the way.”
“No.” My tone leaves no room for argument.
“Yes. I don’t want to be in this vehicle with you any longer, Matteo. Let me the hell out.”
Glancing at the road, I see we are less than a mile from the Johnson estate. Piccola vampiro can walk the rest of the way for all I care.
Pulling the vehicle to the side of the road, I hit the brakes and turn off the engine. My eyes stay glued to the windshield as Athena unbuckles her belt, opening the door and climbing out.
“You’re a fucking asshole. And I hate you,” she screams at me before slamming the door shut.
No one would ever get away with speaking to me in that way, but this time I will let it slide, considering I did insinuate she’s a whore.
Watching her closely, I smirk as she rushes away from me. She doesn’t look back as she walks away, and I don’t move.
Instead, I sit and stare until she disappears.
Then I start up the SUV and slowly hit the gas to follow her.