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Tears stream down my cheeks, but by the time I make it to the guest house, I stop crying.
Vito awkwardly waves goodbye, and I enter, closing the door behind me.
I stride through the hallway until I see Matteo in the living room. Sitting next to a dimmed floor lamp, holding a glass of scotch.
He’s rolled up his sleeves, I notice as my gaze lowers to his strong, tanned forearms. The first two buttons of his shirt are undone, and he’s not wearing a jacket. He’s never looked so relaxed while… working?
“Did you get good news?” I ask, even though his serious expression says otherwise.
“I found the jewels,” he says.
My heartbeat comes to a halt. I touch my chest, knees buckling, and plop down into a chair. Fuck.
He shakes his head, looks at me, then glances down at his drink.
He’s found out. I left the teddy bear on the dresser because I’d only bring attention to it if I hid it. I’d sewn the back—a shoddy job for sure, but I expected I’d come home and have more time to think of a better place. What was he doing in my room? Who the fuck would pick up a random teddy bear?
“What are you going to do?” I ask, cutting to the chase. I touch my chest, feeling my heart race madly under my palm. Willing it to calm down, but now it’s impossible.
I’ve gotten so close, having found the jewels. With him discovering them like that, I’ve most likely lost everything. Why would he stick his neck out for me? When I’ve basically omitted this very important detail? My stomach drops to the floor.
“That’s what I’ve been asking myself,” he says in an even tone that gives nothing away.
I clear my throat, my tongue almost sticking to the roof of my dry mouth. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”
He cocks his head to the side. “Were you going to tell me?”
I chew my lower lip. I can’t lie now. “I wanted to. But I wasn’t sure.”
His jaw clenches, a pulse jumping in his vein. “You slept with me to get closer,” he says, a pang of resentment in his voice.
I glance at the floor. Again, I can’t lie right now. Not knowing what’ll happen—what probably will happen to me is scary, but it’s like I’ve been caught naked, and I can’t simply hide myself anymore. “At first.”
He sighs deeply and stands, restless, jamming his hands in his pockets. “How did you intend on using me? You already have the jewels. Did you expect me to draw you an escape plan?”
I square my shoulders. Of course, he connected the dots. “I wanted contacts. I don’t know where to get a fake passport or where to get a fair amount of money for these jewels. Searching on my own is hard since you’re with me all the time.” He knows where I am at all times—even if I go to a hair appointment, he’s waiting. Those are my father’s orders.
He grabs his tumbler and gives it to me. I take it, and before I think, down a shot of scotch that sears my tongue and throat. A charge of electricity surges through me.
“What if I tell your father? Right now,” he asks, standing in the middle of the living room, legs apart, towering over me, even though I’m still cowardly sitting a few feet away. I’m not sure I can stand yet; my entire body is in turmoil. Different emotions zap through me.
I thread my fingers together, fidgeting. “I never wanted you to get in trouble. You deserve your freedom. I’m so sorry about all of this.” I draw in a deep breath. What I say next will impact my fate. My marriage to Francesco. Possibly the rest of my life. “If you want to tell my father, to protect yourself, I… I can’t stop you,” I say, finally finding the courage to stand, even if the mix of nerves and scotch weaken my knees.
He looks at me, and again, I feel naked, somehow more than before. Completely bare to him. “You mean it,” he says in a low voice.
I step toward him, my eyes searching for his. “Of course I do. You’ve been through enough.”
He waves me off. “So have you.”
“I couldn’t live with myself if I knew I was responsible for more harm done to you or your mother.”
He tips his chin up, a fiery challenge crossing his eyes. “Why not?”
“Because I love you.” The moment the words fly past my lips, the weight sitting on my shoulders is magically lifted. A surge of adrenaline rushes through me, energizing every part of my body. A side of me doesn’t even care that I may get royally fucked by telling him my feelings. This revelation plays again in my brain as I listen to myself.
I love him.
I do. I haven’t been able to foster deep emotions for anyone, not since my mom’s passing. But my feelings for Matteo are stronger—like a visceral need.
