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Matteo barges into the room, a scowl on his face. I sit up straighter.
“Everything all right?” I ask. “With work?”
He gives Dario a nod. “Yes. I’d like to have some alone time with my wife.”
Dario stands up, giving me an encouraging smile. “All right. I can do that. I’ll one of my men send a car for you to take you back to the hotel tomorrow.”
“Bye.” I give him a small wave. Once Dario leaves, it’s just Matteo and me. “You don’t look happy.”
He sits down heavily in the chair Daria vacated. “I had to do something tough, even though it was the right call.” He inhales deeply. “I kicked Enrico out of the club.”
I freeze. “You did?”
“He was beating on Jules, and after how he treated you, he needed to go. I don’t have the time to worry about whether my men are causing problems. He needed to go.”
My heart picks up speed, and sweat beads under my arms. “And everything you said about being unable to find new men right now?”
“It’s not that I can’t find someone to replace him. I can. It was just easier to give him a beating the first time. I hoped he would have learned his lesson. But it seems he didn’t want to.”
“So, he’s gone for good?”
“Yes.”
I suck in a quick breath. “I’m glad.”
His frown turns into a small smile. “Yeah?”
“Of course. I hated him for what he did to me. I’m glad you did the right thing by letting him go.” I squeeze his hand. “I’m proud of you.”
We stare into each other’s eyes. I could get lost in his dark irises. It’s surreal to me that I’m thinking of Matteo this way, but he’s growing on me. In fact, I think I’m starting to care for him. And now, after getting rid of Enrico, the gap between us should shorten.
Matteo lifts my hand and grazes his lips across the back of my it. Goosebumps erupt over my arm. “You didn’t pull away this time.”
I gulp. “I’m starting to think I don’t want to,” I whisper.
“I like to hear that.” He doesn’t say anything more, just continues to hold my hand. A blush blooms across my cheeks at his intense stare. I have to look away. Otherwise, I might be consumed by him before I’m ready.
“I’m tired,” I murmur. “I’ve been here all day. I might try and get some sleep.”
“Ok. I’ll stay right here, protecting you.”
“From my dreams?”
“From anything.”
I squeeze his hand again. “Thank you for saving me.”
“You already thanked me.”
“I know. I just wanted to say it again.”
The smile Matteo gives me could melt even the coldest of hearts.
In the morning,the hospital discharges me. No complications with my brain. A clean bill of health. Though I’ll have to come back later and get my stitches removed once the cut on my head heals.
Matteo drives us back to the hotel in a car Dario sent us. Neither of us talks, content to be in each other’s presence. That’s a first. I’ll take it.
Matteo is attentive once we arrive back at the hotel room, making sure I’m comfortable and that my head doesn’t hurt too much.
