2. Renata
Chapter 2
Renata
Sixteen-years-old
“Are you sure nobody’s home?” Matteo clutches my hand tighter as he leads me through the courtyard, only the night stars lighting our way.
He smirks at me and lifts my hand to kiss it. “You’re safe with me, Rennie.”
“That isn’t what I asked, Matt.”
Matteo sighs and pins me with a cautious glare.
“My father and Uncle Aldo are in the city on business. Clifford is out fucking around; only staff are on the grounds, so you can relax.”
It’s a brazen move, coming onto Mancini territory, but it’s the only way Matteo and I can spend time together. If my parents find out I’m seeing him, I’ll be in so much trouble. Mamma will seriously send me away. The Mancinis are our enemies.
Or rather, we are theirs.
My family did some dire shit to them back in the day in Italy, allegedly. It is ironic that both our families moved to Britain in an attempt to build the more legitimate sides of our businesses. It means we no longer settle our fights with guns and knives, but in boardrooms, with political donations and other forms of supposedly legal power.
Still, we avoid each other like they’re a disease. We don’t speak. We never attend the same social events. We simply do not mix. Except Matteo Mancini is the most gorgeous boy I’ve ever seen. He’s heartbreak wrapped in fine clothes and irresistible charm, with a devilish smile that will have any girl weak in the knees. I think I’m falling in love with him.
Matteo leads me inside and to the den. It’s where we hide away from the world, protecting each other from the wrath of our families and the onslaught of war that would come with our tryst being revealed. It’s a thrill of excitement to grasp the edge of danger, and that’s exactly what we’re doing by sneaking behind our families’ backs.
“Make yourself comfortable while I get us some snacks.”
He tosses his phone on the coffee table, then makes his way into the kitchen. I explore the room, always intrigued by the expensive trinkets on the bookshelves and gaudy gold-framed paintings that adorn the walls. A buzzing sound catches my attention, and I turn toward the coffee table where Matteo’s phone is illuminated. I pick it up and see “Frank Calling” flash across the screen, then set it down where he left it. I don’t recall him being friends with anyone named Frank, so it’s possibly an uncle or something. I peruse the room once more until I hear the microwave ding, then I return to the couch and get comfortable while I wait for Matteo. As he enters the room and places the popcorn and bottles of soda on the coffee table, his phone lights up again. He hurries to silent it before sitting beside me and tucking me close to his side.
“Didn’t you need to take that?” I ask curiously.
He shakes his head and mutters, “Nobody important.” Then he presses a kiss to my forehead, and I smile to myself.
He flicks on the TV and scrolls through a few movies before choosing one, then turns the volume down low so we can hear if anyone enters the house. I rest my head against his chest as the movie begins, completely uninterested in anything but Matteo.
He tilts my chin and brushes my hair out of my face; a mischievous smile alights his face as he stares at me, then his full lips descend on mine. He cradles my face as he kisses me, his touch so gentle. Heat blankets me as the kiss intensifies, and just like every other time we come together, it’s a fiery explosion of wanton lust. Matteo lifts me and places me on his lap, my legs framing his thighs. His hand fists the hair at my nape as he claims my mouth again, his hips bucking to grind against me.
“Rennie…” he mumbles against my lips as he rests his forehead against mine, and I breathe him in. I trail my hands up his chest and clutch the soft t-shirt in my grip, lost in the moment of being close to him.
He grips my ass and pulls me tighter against him, then he slips his hands under the hem of my shirt and slowly trails the pads of his fingertips down my sides. My back bows from the sensation, and he rests his face against my breasts.
“Fucking love your tits, Ren.”
I roll my eyes to myself because him and every other guy who’s laid eyes on me. Mamma was right about power, except she didn’t realize the power I’d one day possess would be the body I’d soon use as a weapon. Matteo doesn’t take too kindly when another guy lets his eyes linger too long, but he can’t act on his jealousy because it could put our secret at risk of being exploited. I’ve reasoned with him that we should out ourselves before it’s too late, but he fights me on it every time.
“Mine,” he growls as he nips at my collarbone, hiding the small love bites he leaves in his wake.
“Prove it,” I challenge, grinding my core against him. Matteo swats at my ass check, then rubs it gently to soothe the ache as he cuts a stern glare at me.
“No,” he denies.
“Your plan is hardly fair, Matteo.”
“Do you think I’m fond of the idea of waiting? I have fucking blue balls for days after I’ve seen you, Rennie.”
“Ouch…” I coo as I grip his hardened length through his jeans. “So this probably makes it worse?”
His eyes roll back, and a lazy smile tips the corner of his mouth. He grips my wrist and kisses my open palm. “You’re the devil.”
“You’re the one denying yourself, Matteo. I promised you my virginity; take it.”
He rests his head on the couch and looks at me. “I will … one day.”
I groan and drop my head to his shoulder. This is frustrating. Every moment with Matteo means something to me. We haven’t professed love to one another yet, but the fact that he doesn’t pressure me into sex tells me he genuinely cares about me. Which is sweet, but I’m ready. Is he not?
“Baby…” he whispers against the shell of my ear. “Trust me. There’s a plan in place. I’ll be eighteen next week, and my father is bringing me into the fold of the family business. It will take time to earn their respect, their trust, and that has to be my focus. I’m doing this for you. For us.”
Heat rushes up my neck as my eyes meet his. We’ve had this conversation before, and Matteo is firm on his stance. I understand it, but I feel rejected every damn time.
My heart pounds in my ears, and I bite the inside of my cheek to stow the flash of anger. I don’t handle rejection well, and that’s exactly what this feels like every time we come together. He works me into a crazed frenzy, then lets me down gently by preserving my innocence. How noble of him.
“You’re even more beautiful when you’re angry,” Matteo whispers, as he pulls my mouth down to meet his. I groan against his lips, the lust-driven high suddenly deflated. I pull away and climb off his lap, putting some distance between us.
“Is their someone else, Matt? Be honest with me.”
“Hell no, Ray. Why would you even ask that?” Ray… I hate when he calls me that. I don’t find pet names to be cute. It’s the name he has saved in his phone for me so if I ever call and someone sees the screen, they’ll think it’s a guy friend and not the family’s archrival. Then who’s Frank my mind questions.
“You know I hate that stupid name, Matteo,” I scoff and pull away from his reach. I’m so annoyed, and I can’t bear the thought of being with him right now.
“Renata, you’re being ridiculous. What’s gotten into you?”
“I better go before we get caught.” There’s a harsh bite to my statement, but I can’t hide my annoyance.
“Stay, Rennie. Let’s watch the movie. My father won’t be home for hours, and we hardly get enough time together as it is.”
“I’m not in the mood, Matteo, but thanks anyway.” I stand and turn my back to avoid meeting his gaze, but Matteo is relentless in his pursuit of me.
He grabs my wrist and turns me to face him. He pulls me close and grips my chin, forcing my eyes to meet his. “Are you seriously going to fucking pout like a little girl?” His tone is low and menacing. “Renata, we’ve discussed this. You want my blood smeared on the streets? That’s just the kind of move your shit little brother would make to prove his loyalty to your father.”
“They wouldn’t?—”
“You’d rather see me dead?” he grits between clenched teeth. “Because that’s exactly what the fuck will happen if I touch you. I’ll be lucky I don’t lose a hand if they find out about us before then. I’m obsessed with you, Rennie, and that’s a risk I’m willing to take. But you have to trust me or this—” he motions between us “—it will never work.”
Tears well in my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I feel like a little girl who’s just been scolded for sneaking into the cookie jar. This is like that Christmas with the bike all over again. I’m always being denied what I want the most, and it sucks.
“I’m not going to hurt you, Rennie. I promise you on my very breath.”
Why does that feel like a little white lie? Because he’s hurting me in this very moment and doesn’t even realize it. My father is an unforgiving man, and my little brother is already ruthless and hardened to the core. They don’t care about me in any sense of the word, so why do they care who I love? I flinch as if the wind has been knocked out of my lungs. Love? Holy shit .
“You’re right, Matteo. I’m sorry.” I force a smile as I try to tamp down the gnawing anxiety as I realize what I just admitted to myself. I push up on my tiptoes and press a chaste kiss to his lips. “I really do have to go though, and not because I’m angry, okay. Text me later?” I pull from his embrace and take a step back.
Matteo’s jaw tics, but he doesn’t push. “Yeah, Rennie. Let me know you make it home.”
I nod once and turn toward the door, taking quick steps to make my exit. At the first inhale of the summer breeze, I feel like I can finally exhale without Matteo soaking up all my air. We’ve only been seeing each other for a few months; can one fall in love so fast?