Chapter 12
AMALIA
AS SOON AS WE’RE BACK home, I kick off my heels right there in the hallway. My feet are killing me after a whole night in those things. Matteo tugs his tie undone as he starts toward the kitchen, and I head after him because I’m too wired to go straight to bed.
“Dominic was right there,” I say. “Right in front of me all night, and I couldn’t just shoot him or rip his throat out. Maddening.”
“If you even looked at him wrong, his guards would’ve stopped you, and you wouldn’t have gotten another chance. We’d both be dead, and it wouldn’t have been quick.”
“Yeah, but that doesn’t make it any easier.” I pour myself a glass of water. “It’s just... Tomasso’s dead because of him, and he doesn’t even...”
Matteo leans against the counter. “I get it, but you handled it great. He couldn’t tell how much you despise him. I’m sure of it.”
“It just feels wrong, having him that close and doing nothing.” I sigh. “But you’re right. There’s no point getting myself killed before I even start. Tomasso wouldn’t want that. Hell, he wouldn’t even want me doing any of this just because of him, but I can’t let it go.”
He nods and takes a sip of juice. Tonight went better than expected. We got Dominic interested, and now there’s a door that wasn’t open before. It’s all just the beginning.
“He wants to see us again,” I say. “That’s the only thing that matters.”
A grin tugs at Matteo’s mouth. “I’m pretty sure everyone believes we’re in love too.”
“Don’t get cocky.” My lips spread into a smile too.
Matteo is still a stranger to me, but I think I already like him, which is weird.
“I didn’t expect Dominic to react that well to me, though. My whole life, I was told I should just look pretty while the men talk. And tonight, most people treated me like I belonged, including Dominic. They didn’t ignore me or disregard me.”
“I know what that feels like,” he says, lowering his voice. “Living under someone who makes you feel like you’re never enough. My father did that to me and made me feel like a kid playing at being a man, as if I’d fold the second anything got hard.”
I lock my gaze on his. “Did you ever believe it?”
“For a long time, yeah.” He rubs his finger along the rim of his glass. “It’s hard not to when it’s all you hear. You start waiting for the moment everyone figures out you’re a fraud.”
He glances at his glass. Huh. We’re more alike than I wanted to admit when this whole deal started.
“So we’re a couple of frauds, then,” I say.
“Speak for yourself.” The corner of his mouth curves up, and I find myself almost smiling back. “I’m a very convincing fraud. Did you see that one guy tonight? The big one by the bar, with a huge watch?”
I snort. “Fonte. The one who wouldn’t stop talking about his yachts.”
“Yep, him.” Matteo straightens his back, imitating Fonte. “’I run a bunch of operations on the coast, you understand. And most men couldn’t even handle one of them. But me? I was born for this.’” He waves a hand around. “’You either have it or you don’t, and let me tell you, my friend, I have it.’”
I laugh so hard I nearly spill my water. “Stop! That’s exactly him.”
“And if a man like that can run a bunch of operations,” Matteo says, “then anyone can. We’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“I’m not sure if that’s a compliment or an insult.” I wipe at my eyes. “Are you saying we’re as dumb as Fonte?”
“Definitely a compliment.” He grins wider. “I’m saying the bar’s on the floor and we stepped over it without even trying.”
“That’s the worst compliment anyone’s ever given me.”
“But you’re laughing.”
I am, and I can’t help it. My gaze meets his, and we just look at each other. My gaze focuses on his mouth, just like it had a moment before I pulled away on the dance floor. What would it be like if I—
My phone buzzes. I grab it, almost grateful for the interruption, and the screen shows one of my men calling. I frown at it.
I let the phone buzz one more time before I answer, so I can get my head straight. I have a job to do. There’s a whole empire I need to lead and I have to avenge Tomasso, so I can’t let Matteo get under my skin, because getting attached is how people in my world end up dead.
He’s helping me now, sure. He plays the part of my husband well, and he watches my back, and tonight he made me laugh harder than I have in months.
But that doesn’t mean anything. He’s still a Gaviani and the son of a man who’d sell his own children.
If I show him any weakness, he’ll exploit it while he sweetly smiles at me and pretends to be the best guy ever.
I can’t let that happen.