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“Where is he?” Matteo responds, ignoring Cain’s aggression. DeLuca slips past, and I quickly try to slip by, but my boss grabs my wrist and pulls me back.
He cups my face and stares at me long and hard. “I can’t say I’m not disappointed,” he hisses before letting me go and walking into the apartment.
I follow his bristling frame inside, shame heavy in my gut. I wanted my boss to learn to like me, and all I've achieved is to piss him off further. It's an open-plan apartment, but Matteo is too busy rummaging in his bag to notice. I’m glad. What would he have done if he had seen Cain touch me like that? Perry is propped up in the kitchen, sporting a fat lip. Ouch.
“What happened?” I rush over, and Perry’s face snaps up, shocked to find me here. His eyes go from Matteo to me, then Matteo to Cain.
“I just wanted to look like you so badly.” He grins, then winces as fresh blood seeps out of his cut.
“Ha ha,” I mutter as Matteo checks his eyes.
“It’s deep,” Matteo finally says. “Who did you piss off this time?”
Perry side-eyes until he is looking at me. “Best we don't have this conversation now.”
“Oh. Sorry, do you want me to go back into the corridor?” I flush. I never suspected that Perry wouldn't want me here. I just assumed after our encounters, we were as good as friends. He’s always inviting himself into my life.
“No.” Perry shakes his head. “How’ve you been, alien?”
My eyes slip to Matteo, and I quickly look away. “Good.” I croak. “So, now that you look like me. Happy?”
Matteo and Perry laugh, but Cain walks around us all and glares down at me. I swallow my unease, refusing to meet his eye. “I’ve reached true happiness. Is E.T on his way for me?” Perry jokes. Rolling my eyes, I fight a grin, but Matteo smirks at me, and my smile intensifies. Cain growls and circles back so he is standing behind me.
“So you two, huh?” Perry asks, and his gaze briefly centres on Cain.
“Well.” I clear my throat. “We’re. We… I.”
“Just go home with men, willy-nilly,” Cain growls.
“Did you just say willy-nilly?” Perry shudders.
“I beg your pardon!” I turn to face my boss. Matteo stands tall slowly at my side, and I lift my chin, happy to have his support. “I didn't just meet him an hour ago. In fact, I’m pretty certain this man has watched me sleep under your instruction,” I remind him of what he thinks I don't know. Cain's eyes harden, and he looks at his doctor friend.
“Carson,” Matteo begins, but Cain lifts his hand, uninterested in his friend’s opinion.
DeLuca growls, and I slap Cain’s hand away. “What are you, a Jedi?” I scoff, and Perry bursts out laughing.
“Ow, fuck.” Perry cups his torn lip.
“Who I go home with is none of your business. What is your problem? You’ve done nothing but needle me since we met!” I want the truth from his mouth, not some passing remark made by his friend. I want to hear him admit this is all because he can’t have me.
“No problem,” Cain delivers coldly.
“No?” Matteo questions. “It doesn't take a genius to know what is going on here. You were too slow, Carson.” I peek a look at Cain, but his eyes are centred on his friend. They glare, and the set of Matteo's shoulders suggests there is more to this than just me.
“Let’s give these two space to measure their dicks. We’ll be in the bar,” Perry mutters, steering me away.
Chapter13
Cain
Matteo doesn’t look at me as he drives off with Lauren—something akin to jealousy hangs low in my gut, weighing in on my mind.
I’ve never begged a woman like that before. I laugh at the absurdity of it as I run my hand through my hair and shake my head in shock.
“Don’t.”
Pathetic. I watch as the tail light disappears around the corner, and I cross the street to get in my own car. For the first time in a long time, I come to terms with the reality of rejection. A shocked laugh bursts from my mouth.
