“You don’t have to take responsibility for me.” I didn’t want to go home with Matteo. My uncle would lose his shit. “If you just let me call Luca, I’m sure he could arrange my return to Chicago.”
“Too dangerous.”
“What? You think Santino is having the airports watched? Worst comes to worst, I can ask Daniel for a favor. They have private jets.”
“Less complicated.” He turned away from me to take a call.
Less complicated for whom? I wanted to scream, and instead, I stewed in the back of the vehicle while he ended one call to make another.
Every time I tried to get his attention, he’d hold a finger up at me to wait.
Well, I’m not one of his lackeys.
“Where are we going, Trevor?” I gave up trying to get Matteo to give me answers.
“Hell’s Kitchen. You’ll be safe there.”
“Didn’t it occur to both of you that I might be in danger exactly because I’m with you guys?”
“We’re not clear about that yet,” Matteo answered me before returning to his phone call.
“You know how we’ll be clear? Ask Luca,” I fumed. I never thought there would come a day when I would miss my phone. My uncle kept tabs on me through it. It was like he knew when I was up to something and he would check in. It annoyed the heck out of me. But now more than ever, I missed his meddling.
Both men didn’t appear to hear me.
I punched the back of Matteo’s shoulder. “Hey. I won’t be ignored. I want to talk to Luca tonight. Not tomorrow. Not the day after, but within the next hour.”
Matteo ended his call and threw his phone on the dash, turning to face me. I had his full attention. “No need for violence, baby.”
“Vio—?” I scrunched up my face when I remembered I gave him a not-so-subtle tap. “That was a nudge, and stop calling me baby.”
The flash of white teeth belied the wildness still in his eyes. He’d just been in a shootout and he was in adrenaline euphoria. I was sure it was Matteo who took down the man pelting our vehicle with a barrage of bullets. Why was I so calm about this? It wasn’t the first time I’d been in such situations, but I’d been around Luca who I trusted to keep me safe.
Did that mean I trusted Matteo?
“Sounds right. Especially since you’re my girlfriend.” His maddening smile grew wider. “I’m surprised you didn’t demand to talk to Luca right this second.” His phone pinged with a message. He grabbed it from the dashboard and grimaced. “Especially since he’s been blowing up my phone.”
“Is that him?”
Matteo nodded.
My instinct was to grab the phone and call Luca, but my crazy zio needed to be handled carefully.
“We need to come up with a good reason why I’m with you. He probably tried to reach me—”
“He’s blowing up Daniel’s and Ivy’s phones too.”
“And did they talk to him?”
He chuckled. “I think they’re afraid to since they don’t know what plans I have for you.”
That sounded ominous. “What are you planning?” The words snagged in my throat.
“Not a conversation for the car.” Matteo looked ahead to check where we were. “We’re almost there.”
I recognized the bars and the streets of Hell’s Kitchen. The rearview mirror clock showed it was one thirty. Judging by the crowds milling in front of the bars’ patios, New York was living up to its name as the city that never sleeps.
The lead vehicle with Nico honked twice before it broke off to a side street. Our Patrol surged ahead. We arrived at a brick building with a shop called Jabbin’ Java Café. Trevor drove the vehicle to the back alley of the building where a cellar door indicated there was a basement.
Trevor pulled up next to concrete steps leading to a gray metal back door. Matteo got out and helped me down from the SUV. Off to the corner, I saw a silhouette of a man, the ember from a lit cigarette not enough to discern his features.
Matteo guided me to the entrance. “We’re in De Lucci territory. Our men are everywhere.”
“Is that why you brought me here?”
“Yes.” He punched in a code at the door and a mechanical sound turned the keypad light to green.
When we entered the building, a musty smell of leather and sweat assailed my nostrils.
“I’ll give you a tour later,” Matteo said, but nodded to the room on our right. “That’s a boxing gym called The Grindhouse, which is also the name of the building.
“It’s three stories,” he continued. “My brother Renz—Lorenzo, has the second floor.” Typical of old New York structures, this one had a rickety narrow staircase. We ascended it with Matteo leading, and I had no idea why he was holding my hand. He inspired conflicting reactions. My brain was telling me to pull my hand out of his grasp, but a warm fuzzy feeling bloomed in my chest that made it impossible to yank my hand away.
But something didn’t add up…
“You don’t stay here, right? Don’t you live in the Upper East Side?”
A chuckle filtered down to me.
“I’m flattered you know where I live.”
“You know where I live.”
“Got me there. You’re a worthy adversary, Sera Moretti.”
“I didn’t realize we’re at that level.” My lungs were starting to protest, and my legs were getting tired. I didn’t exercise, but I loved power walking. I’d never gotten on a stair master in my life, and although the house in Chicago had an elevator, my room there was on the second floor. “How much farther?”
He paused at the second-floor landing and looked at me with an amused slant to his mouth. “Should I carry you?”
My cheeks heated. “Absolutely not.” I peered up the next flight of steps. “So what’s this place to you exactly? A love nest?”
He barked a laugh. “Looks like I need to set you straight about my reputation.” Matteo tugged my hand along and we resumed our ascent. “But I won’t. All you need to know is you’re the first woman I’ve brought here.”
“Really?” My tone was full of doubt.
“Ask Nico,” he said. “I’ll have to warn you though, it’s usually a bachelor pad. Don’t expect any frills.”
My mind went on a different track. As far as I’d gleaned from Luca, the De Lucci side of the family Aunt Carlotta had married into were the legitimate side, but that didn’t mean they didn’t participate in illegal activities. They could provide a safe haven for anyone in the family who needed to hide for a while. I’d lived that life. I hated lockdowns. There was one time when Nonno went to war with an Albanian mob boss and Chicago was too hot, so he sent me to Gustavo for a few months.
When we reached the top floor, Matteo took out his keys to open the door. I spied another staircase that led farther up.
“That leads to a rooftop garden.”
My eyes perked up. “You’re serious?”
“Renz grows his herbs and shit for the café.”
“Oh.” I was always fond of rooftop gardens.
Matteo led me into the apartment and flicked on the lights. This wasn’t an apartment. It was a hybrid loft/apartment living space that took up the entire floor. I loved the exposed white brick and the vast row of windows that gave a glimpse of the Manhattan skyline. The kitchen was open to two seating areas but there were other rooms walled off to give privacy.
One window drew me to look into the night. “I bet the view is better on the roof.” The Manhattan night sky wasn’t new to me. But whenever I stayed in the city, it was either in the Wus’ luxurious penthouse on Fifth Avenue or at a hotel.
“To be honest, I haven’t been up there since last year when Renz had a party.” He emitted a wry chuckle as his reflection in the glass moved closer to me. Warmth emanated from behind me. I could almost feel rather than hear his deep-throated chuckle. I was responding to it like an addict. It was as though he didn’t laugh often, but could find amusement in situations. I recalled his full-blown laughter when I called this place his love nest. “You appear to like rooftops? We can head up there if it’ll make this conversation go easier.”
His words reminded me I should start thinking of our current predicament, and not what I think made Matteo sexy. Putting distance between us sounded like a good idea. And no, I didn’t think I would want to share a rooftop interlude with him. It was too intimate. “Can I have some water?”
He speared me with those eyes before he walked over to the kitchen. I followed him.
He tore into a pallet of bottled water. “These are cold.”
“I need to call Luca.”
“And you will.”
“Like half an hour ago.”
“Didn’t you say within the next hour?” He untwisted a cap from one and handed it to me.
I sighed. “We’re almost within that hour.” The last thing I wanted was for Luca to show up in New York. “And I only said that because we need to come up with a reason so he won’t have you whacked.”
“Are you perpetuating his psycho reputation? I’m sure your uncle wouldn’t want to start a war with my family.”
“He can be reasoned with, but he’s very protective of me,” I said.
“So I’ve heard.”
I wanted to chuck this bottled water at this head. Why wasn’t he taking me seriously? “You can drop me off at the Wus. That would be the best solution.”
“No.”
“Matteo! I’m trying to save your life!”
That sexy chuckle rumbled again. Gah!
“I have a better solution,” he said, taking a sip from his own bottled water. “Let’s give this fake dating a try.”
My mouth gaped. No words came. After a few seconds, I snapped it shut and stomped to the living room. So much for thinking this space was cozy. The furniture was decidedly masculine in brown leather. In fact, every color seemed to be blue or brown.
“You’re crazy,” I declared, suddenly tired, and plopped onto the couch. It must be the hike up the stairs or it could be the thought that at this moment, Luca was boarding his private plane to hunt down Matteo.
“On the contrary. After Santino showed up to try to kidnap you, I think it’s very gentlemanly of me to defend your honor,” Matteo said. “Maybe you need a man of my reputation and family clout to discourage him.” He paused. “You’re no longer considering him for marriage, are you?”
“Absolutely not,” I snapped. My stomach turned at the thought that Luca even considered Santino. But I’d given up trying to understand my uncle. He was psychotically protective, but at times when it suited the greater good of the family, he was willing to take risks. “Besides,” I added, “I’m not sure fake dating is possible. I don’t like you.”
He sat beside me, leaned closer, his lips twitching at the corners, his stunning blue gaze focused on me. “Not even a little?”
“I know what you’re doing. You’re trying to mesmerize me with your eyes. I’m onto you.”
His face turned ruddy, the twitching of his mouth became twisty. Matteo De Lucci was trying not to laugh. He disguised it with a clearing of the throat, and when he spoke, his voice was low and deep. “You find my eyes mesmerizing?”
I rolled mine. “You know what turns me off? A man who’s fishing for compliments.”
Matteo shook his head, the laughter he was holding back gusted past his lips. Suddenly, he was in front of me, on his knees.
He cupped my knees together. It was an intimate gesture, but I was going to punch him in the face if he tried to get between my legs.
The featherlight caress of his thumbs at the top of my knees sent goose bumps of confused sensations up my thighs. “How can I convince you this is going to work?”
“I’m surprised you didn’t throw Daniel in my face again.”
He sighed. “After his stunt tonight, he’s a lost cause. Let him flounder. You deserve better.”
I stared at him for a long time. He sounded sincere. If it was my choice to stay with Matteo, my uncle would back off. Luca never stuck his nose in my love life again after the time I threatened to denounce the family when he nearly killed my college boyfriend for taking my virginity. That was the most mortifying experience ever. I didn’t speak to Luca for nearly a year.
But if Luca caught a whiff of coercion, Matteo’s days were numbered.
“We need to act natural,” I said.
“I’ve no problem with that. I look forward to sparring with you.”
“How is that going to prove that we like each other?”
His eyes were alive with mischief, amusement, and something else. I was trying very much to ignore the fluttering in my belly with his closeness. With his hands on my knees, I did nothing to knock off his grip.
But I didn’t like lying to myself and admitted, “We seem to…get along.”
“I agree. I’ve never had as much fun with a woman before.”
“I feel sorry for you.”
“Are you saying you’ve enjoyed another man’s company more?”
I looked away. “I don’t keep score.”
He put a finger under my chin to bring my eyes back to his. His face was closer and breathing became a chore. “Why can’t you look at me?”
“Because I might not be able to resist slapping that smirk off your face.”
“Such violence.” His smirk became more pronounced. “Or should I say, such passion.” His lips were almost touching mine.
He leaned in, and I was leaning back, the hands on my knees slid a bit higher and I was made aware of my short skirt.
“We need to call Luca.”
“In a minute,” he said. Then his mouth was on mine. His kiss was gentle at first, teasing expertly, seducing my lips to part beneath his. When I obliged, his tongue swept in, and I was lost to his kisses. He wedged his way between my legs. My panties felt damp and my nipples felt scratchy against my bra. I needed him closer, needed to feel the friction of him at my core, needed his weight dominating me and pressing me against the couch. One hand swept behind my skull, the other gripped my thigh. Need and tension rolled off him and I moaned into his mouth.
Matteo tore away and sprang to his feet. “Fuck.”
Before I could regain my equilibrium, he was halfway across the room with his back to me. A hand raked through his hair and his shoulders rose and fell as hard and fast as my breathing.
“Ooo…kay…what was that?”
He pivoted slightly, throwing an arm my way. “That proved we won’t be able to keep our hands off each other.”
“Okay,” I said again. I was still pulsing between my legs. I wasn’t sure I’d be protesting if he laid me on the couch and had a little foreplay. No sex of course, but I wouldn’t mind a dry-hump orgasm. My cheeks heated at all the images that flashed through my head and I pushed away the guilt that this felt like cheating on Daniel. Which I was not. He made that crystal clear at the club. “Seems we have physical chemistry at least. Enough to fool people that we like each other.”
“Are you agreeing?”
“You’re growing on me,” I teased, buying myself time to recover from our encounter. “I guess you’re on a level of I don’t want Luca to demand your head on a silver platter.”
Matteo smiled, but his face looked strained. There was also a noticeable bulge in his pants. I was surprisingly pleased I put it there.
“Let’s call Luca.” He slid out his phone and put it to his ear. Apparently my uncle answered on the first ring.
“Calm the fuck down,” he said. “She’s fine.” Matteo looked at me, shaking his head as he crossed over and handed me the phone.
“Luca?”
“Are you all right?” he roared.
“Of course I am,” I said. The worst thing to do when Luca was in spitting dragon mode was tell him to calm down.
“What are you doing with De Lucci?”
“Though I loathe to explain my dating life to you after what I said the last time about not dating him, it turns out we have…” I glanced at the man in question and he shrugged. “Uhm…something.”
“What something?”
“Luca…” I heard him barking orders to someone. “Where are you?” A series of doors slammed.
“At the house,” he said. “I was about to leave for the airport.”
“To come here?”
“What did you expect when the Wus refused to produce you, and De Lucci wasn’t answering my calls?”
“If you want to raise a stink about something, then you need to tell Santino Conte to back off.”
“He’s ignoring my calls too.” I could hear the frustration in his voice. “You were about to tell me about that something. It better not be what I think it is.”
“Look. Matteo and I might have a…spark after all,” I said. “And we’re trying to figure things out, hopefully without your interference.”
Silence. A kind of weighted silence that made me go through several scenarios in my head. None of them ending well for Matteo.
Finally, Luca said, “Your nonno and I did not raise you to be naive, but I’m going to say it anyway. Keep your eyes open for his motive. I’m not saying you’re not worth it, cara. No man deserves you if you want my honest opinion.”
“Aw.” Luca could be so sweet.
“Put De Lucci back on the phone.” I bit my lower lip. I kind of knew what Luca was going to say to my pretend boyfriend.
After I returned his phone, I watched Matteo’s face as Luca talked to him. A muscle pulsed his jaw, but when he glanced at me, he hitched his shoulders and continued to listen.
After almost two minutes, all Matteo said was, “Understood.” Then he ended the call and tossed the phone on the leather couch.
He reached for me and dragged me up to him, plastering our fronts together. I felt so petite beside him. I had kicked off my shoes and I only came up to his chest.
“You’re shorter,” he said.
“Boy, you need to work on your romance game,” I retorted.
He leaned over and gave my lips a playful kiss.
“Are we practicing?”
Matteo’s eyes gleamed with mischief. “Are we still calling this practicing?”
I pushed away from him and my hands landed on my hips. I glared up at him. “Let’s get one thing straight. We’re fake-dating, right?”
Irritation flashed through his features. “Yes.”
I pointed to the couch. “That’s not going to happen again.”
“Can’t promise that, Sera,” he said gruffly. It looked like there was more he wanted to say, but his mouth compressed into a thin line.
“Okay. I feel like this could get complicated if we don’t set boundaries.” I thought about Daniel. All the excitement of the night temporarily eclipsed the pain of my humiliation and short-lived hope. I could kick myself for wanting anything to do with him given how he behaved all week only to retreat at the club. Exhaustion slammed into me. “What time is it?”
Matteo checked his phone. “Almost two. Why?”
“I don’t think this is a conversation for this time of the morning.”
“Agreed.”
“Okay, boyfriend, where am I sleeping? How long are we going to keep this up?”
“A month at least.”
“Hmm…sounds reasonable. I don’t mind staying in Manhattan.” I hated lying to Luca, but now that I’d seen Santino, I wanted him to lose interest in me as a prospective bride. That was one thing Matteo had going in his favor.
“Let’s talk later.” He reached for me and reeled me back into his arms. “You may have to live with me indefinitely depending on the Santino threat.”
“I’m sure after Luca—”
He bopped my nose lightly. “Tomorrow, baby.”
My brows drew together. “Don’t call me baby.”
He answered with a light kiss on my forehead before taking my hand and leading me to one of the rooms.
