Page 45 of My Ghost

“Well, a hundred,” the barman replies with a confused frown, no doubt wondering what is happening.

My eyes snap up.“A hundred bucks!”I grouse in annoyance and start to rummage harder for the two hundred dollars.Shit, do I even have that much cash?

“Um…” The barman’s embarrassed voice makes me pause and look up.“Actually, it’s a hundredthousanddollars.”He gives me an apologetic smile.

“What?”I’m sure my shocked shriek can be heard in Vancouver.

“He…uh, sort of paid for every patron’s drink for the whole night,” he goes on.

I gape at him.What on earth… My spine snaps straighter as red-hot fury makes my heart slam in my chest and my blood pound in my ears.For a beat I stand frozen in front of the bar.Then I snatch the water bottle from the counter with a frustrated cry and whirl around so fast the room spins, to stomp back to our table.I won’t murder him in a crowded bar,I repeat like a mantra.

Eventually, the night ends and our group spills out of the bar, still laughing.I am flushed, buzzing with adrenaline, and thanks to Matteo’s interfering, stone-cold sober.

Dave is walking close beside me, still grinning from our performance.“We should do this again.You’re like karaoke royalty.”

I laugh, brushing my hair out of my face.“I’m more like karaoke disaster.But I’ll take it.You’re not bad yourself,” I tease, still laughing.He chuckles, and for a second, I almost forget the shadow who has been trailing me for days.

Until I see him again.

Matteo is leaning against a black SUV parked in front of the bar.His jacket is open and he has his hands in his pant pockets.He seems almost relaxed, if it weren’t for the dark look on his face.The streetlight hits him in an angle that accentuates the harsh lines of his face and the darkness of his gaze.His eyes lock on me, and just like that, my steps falter.

Dave slows when he finally sees him too, tension creeping into his smile.He doesn’t say anything, but I can feel him stiffen beside me.

We’re barely a few steps away when Matteo pushes off the car, his posture casual but his movements predatory.“Erin.”His voice is low and lethal.“You’re done for the night.Get in the car.”

I freeze.“Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”He takes a step forward, then his gaze snaps to Dave.“I told you to stay away from her.”

“Matteo.”My tone is sharp with anger.“Don’t do this.”

But Dave tries to appease him.“Look, man…we’re just having fun.It’s only karaoke night.It’s not—”

Matteo is on him in two strides, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him back against the brick wall.“You think I’m blind or dumb?”His voice is a low snarl, dangerous enough to draw the attention of every patron coming out of the bar.

“Matteo!”I grab his arm and yank hard, but it is like trying to move a brick wall.

Then Lucas is suddenly there, pulling Matteo back with surprising force.

“Enough,” he barks.“This is not the time or place, Teo.Let.Him.Go.”

Chiara and Lily, who have been chatting, rush over with wide eyes and shock written all over their faces.

Matteo’s jaw is tight, his fists still clenched, but Lucas has him restrained with a hand on his chest, keeping him from lunging again.

“Matteo, stop,” Lily says gently, stepping in between us.“I’ll take Erin home.Okay?You need to calm down.”

His gaze snaps to me, dark and burning, and I swallow.For a moment, I think he’s going to refuse and drag me to his car whether I want it or not.But then something shifts in his expression and he slowly steps back, jaw clenched and hands balled into fists.

The tension in the air is suffocating.Everyone is staring at him like they’re seeing him for the first time.

I cross my arms.My fury has finally replaced the shock and is now boiling over.“What the hell is wrong with you?You think you can just show up, threaten people and order me around like I’m one of your minions?Newsflash, Matteo, I don’tbelongto you.”

He narrows his eyes, and for a second, I see the madness there, laced with possessiveness and frustration.But Lily’s hand on my arm is enough to break the tension.She tugs me toward her waiting car, murmuring urgently, “Let’s go before this gets worse.”

I let her lead me, but not before shooting Matteo one last glare over my shoulder.

The door clicks shut behind me as Lily’s driver pulls the car away from the curb.The leather seat is soft under me, but I can’t relax, my chest is still tight with fury.I am positively vibrating with it.