Page 72 of Dangerous Games

Charming, meaning that it’s small.

I fidget in my seat as I’m put on the spot. I know she’s being nice, and it’s something they own, but I live in a shoebox compared to all of them. It’s hard not to feel inadequate.

“I do.” I nod as I stick my spoon into the tiramisu. Matteo’s assessing gaze hasn’t wavered all night, even with Wren nudging him in the side with her elbow and telling him to knock it off. It’s like he’s waiting for me to say or do something wrong. “It’s the perfect size for one person.”

I mean, what else am I supposed to say? I wish I had an actual closet and a bed that wasn’t in the middle of my living space.

Gio’s hand moves to my thigh, rubbing up and down lightly before giving it a reassuring squeeze. It’s scary how in tune he is with me.

“Well.” Camilla smiles as she sets her spoon, her eyes dancing between Gio and me. “Hopefully not by yourself for long.”

I start coughing, making the cocoa powder get stuck in my throat and making me feel like I’m choking.

Gio gently pats my back, helping me through. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” I wheeze out. I grab my glass of water and take a large gulp. “Went down the wrong hole.”

“These men move fast, bitch,” Delaney tells me as she points her spoon at me in emphasis. “Wren met Matteo, and a day later he had her moved into his palace and wifed her up. I thought shit like that only happened in movies.”

“I wish you wouldn’t use such language at the dinner table, Delaney,” Camilla sighs in disappointment at the same time Wren glares. “It wasn’t a day.”

“Close enough,” Delaney fires back.

Wren rolls her eyes before directing her attention to me. “You don’t need to move as fast as we did. I just had some…problems that Matteo helped me out with. It accelerated things.”

Alessio snorts sarcastically. “That’s one way to put it.”

“I think it’s best if you take your time,” Matteo says evenly. “There’s no need to rush anything or force it.”

I stiffen in my seat. Gio feels it because the hand that was rubbing my back freezes. It feels like there’s an underlying threat in his tone because I’m not the one forcing anything here.

“No one is forcing anything here. Whatever speed we decide to go out at is none of your business,” Gio says, his tone hard as he stares at Matteo. Tension fills the room, and I have no idea what to do to stop it.

I’m not even sure I fully understand what’s going on, but I do know that I was right about coming here being a mistake. Gio told me Matteo is looking out for him like any older brother should, but I’m so sick of my dad’s reputation following me around.

I’m not him.

I would never in a million years put someone through what he’s put me through, let alone even think about doing it. Why is that so hard for people to understand?

“Of course.” Camilla smiles at us, completely oblivious to the tension in the room.

We finish the dessert in silence as the rest of the family makes small talk among themselves. Gio’s hand doesn’t leave my back.

“Thank you for dinner,” I tell Camilla as she walks us to the door. “Everything was so good.”

“I’m glad you enjoyed it. It was nice to finally meet you, and I expect to see you next week.” Camilla moves in to give me a hug. I hug her back, forcing my body to loosen up and not tense from the maternal affection I’m not used to. Even her perfume smells motherly.

“Thanks for dinner, Ma.” Gio moves in to give his mom a hug and a kiss on the cheek as I step away.

It isn’t until we’re outside and I hear the front door shut behind us that I feel the tension seep out of my body. Gio’s version of relaxation was short-lived.

Neither one of us says a word as we walk to the car. It’s not the time or the place. I hate that this didn’t go the way Gio wanted it to. He seemed so sure and excited. I can’t tell if he’s angry with me or Matteo. I could have put more effort in, but I don’t think it would have changed the fact that Matteo still sees my father’s issues when it comes to me.

“Gio.”

I slowly turn around as Gio moves to stand, so he’s slightly in front of me, placing me between him and the car.

“I think you’ve said enough tonight,” Gio tells Matteo, his tone no less hard than it was when he was speaking to him at the table.