by L A Cotton
“A friend, right.” Her brow quirked. “What’s her name?”
Jesus. Bella always had a way of seeing straight through me.
“You don’t need to worry about her.”
“She’s got you all tied up in knots. Seems like I definitely need to worry, Matt.”
“Jay will come watch you while—”
“We don’t need babysitting, Matt.” She huffed.
“I know you don’t, but Nicco would have my balls if I left Alessia unsupervised.”
“Fine, whatever. Will you be back?”
“I… I don’t know. But I’ll text you, okay?”
“Okay.” She stood up and came over to me, looping her arms around my waist. “You’re a good big brother, Matt.”
“I’ll always keep you safe, pulce.”
“I know.”
It was my promise to her. I’d seen what this life could do to people—how it could tear families apart. Arabella was innocent, and she deserved a future. She deserved to chase her dreams.
The idea that she could one day be used as a pawn or collateral against the Family terrified the shit out of me.
A knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts and I eased Bella out of my arms, striding across the apartment to let Jay in.
“Mr. Bellatoni.”
“Thanks for coming.”
“Of course.” He nodded stiffly. “It’s what Mr. Marchetti pays me for.”
“Hey, Jay.” My sister gave him a small wave.
“Miss Bellato—”
“How many times do I have to say it, Jay? Call me Bella.”
“Very well, Miss Bellatoni.”
She grumbled, throwing her hands up in frustration. A smile curved my lips. Arianne was just the same with our security team. She preferred to keep things on a first name basis, but our men weren’t used to it.
“I need to go out for a while,” I said. “Bella is about to go to bed, so you won’t need to entertain her.” I gave her a pointed look.
“Ruin all my fun, why don’t you.”
“I’ll check in with you later.” I turned my attention back to Jay.
“I’ll handle things here,” he said.
“Thanks.” I grabbed my jacket and keys.
“I hope she’s worth it,” Bella called after me, her words hitting me square in the chest.
I didn’t look back as I left the apartment with only one thing on my mind.
Getting to Caitlin.
It took me too fucking long to get to the cabin. By the time I pulled up next to Luis’s SUV, it was almost one-thirty.
The cabin was steeped in darkness, only a faint, flickering amber glow coming from inside. I padded up the steps and knocked quietly. Nothing. Pulling out my cell phone, I dialed Luis’s number.
“Matteo?” He groaned. “Tell me that’s not you—”
“Open the door,” I said.
“Cait doesn’t want—”
“We both know I’m not leaving until I’ve seen her, Luis. So do yourself a favor and open the fucking door.” I hung up and a second later, the lock unlatched and the door swung open.
“Have you lost your goddamn mind?” He glared at me.
“Where is she?”
“In bed… asleep.”
Some of the panic coursing through me abated. “I need to see her.” I barged past him, but he grabbed my shoulder.
My eyes met his and he blew out an exasperated breath. “Seriously, Matteo, this is a bad idea. I shouldn’t have called.”
“What happened?”
Relenting, Luis closed the door and ushered me over to the couch. I wanted to go to her, to see with my own eyes that she was okay. But maybe he was right. Maybe I had been too hasty.
Jesus.
I was a mess.
All over a woman who had made it perfectly clear she wanted nothing to do with me.
“Here, you look like you could do with this.” He handed me a beer.
“She’s okay?”
“She is now.” He ran a hand down his face and sat opposite me in the armchair angled toward the open fire.
“I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’ve seen a lot in my time,” he said. “She was wild… thrashing and fighting some invisible monster. I couldn’t wake her…”
“You did the right thing calling me.”
“Did I? The second I told her I had, she lost it.”
Fuck.
“Did she tell you what it was about?” Although I had a pretty good idea what haunted her dreams. Or rather, who.
“No. Wouldn’t say a word.”
I took a long pull on my beer, stretching my legs out before me. I felt calmer now I was here, knowing she was sleeping in the next room. The urge to storm in there and check on her simmered beneath the surface still, but I could think clearly enough to know that probably wasn’t the best idea—not if I ever wanted her to talk to me again.
“What happened to her?” he asked, his eyes narrowed with grim curiosity.
“We still don’t know for certain. But we know enough that Zander DiMarco will get what’s coming to him.” Anger skittered down my spine. I’d never felt so much wrath as I did for him, and the last few months hadn’t exactly been a walk in the park for my cousins and our family.
I glanced back at the hall, imagining Caitlin curled up in bed asleep. If I could just see her for a second, see with my own eyes that she was okay.
“A word of advice from someone much older and wiser than you,” Luis said, drawing my attention. “Whatever’s running through your head right now… Don’t do it.”
He was right. Of course he was fucking right.
But I wasn’t sure I could listen.
For once in my life, I wasn’t sure I could be the better man.
Until a small voice startled me.
“Matteo?”
My heart almost lurched into my throat when I turned and met Caitlin’s weary gaze.
“You came,” she choked out.
I got up and strode toward her, only stopping when I was in touching distance. She stared up at me, fear and something I wanted to believe was relief glittering in her eyes.
“Yeah,” I said, curving my hand around the back of her neck and drawing her close. “I came.”
Chapter 11
Caitlin
Matteo held me, his big muscular arms cocooning me, shielding me from the world.
My fingers twisted into his jacket as I breathed him in.
“Shh, Tink, I’ve got you.”
My body trembled as I sobbed into his chest. When I’d woken up with a start, and heard his voice, anger had flooded me… but it quickly melted away when I realized he’d come for me.
I tried to make out I didn’t care to protect myself, but really it meant more than I could ever put into words.
Luis gave the two of us some space, mumbling something about retiring for the night. Matteo thanked him before guiding me over to the couch and pulling me down beside him.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
His hand rested against my cheek, his thumb brushing a soothing line over my jaw. “I told you, I will always come.”
Why, I wanted to ask, but I swallowed the question. Part of me knew why; I just didn’t want to admit it.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“It was just a nightmare. I get them sometimes.”
“About DiMarco?” His eyes narrowed, searching my face for answers I didn’t have.
“Zander DiMarco isn’t the only monster I’ve ever faced, Matteo.”
God, why did I say that?
He went rigid. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing,” I sighed, glancing away. “Forget I said anything.”
Matteo slid his fingers under my jaw and gently tilted my face up to meet his. “Talk to me, Caitlin. That’s all I’m asking.”
My shoulders sagged a little at his admission. Not that I expected him to try anything
—I didn’t get those vibes from Matteo. Besides, he was clearly very against hurting women. But still, I’d fallen for that act before.
Even though I wanted to trust him—and I did—I needed to keep my wits about me.
“You know, not a single day has gone by when I haven’t thought about you,” he said quietly, so quietly I almost missed it.
“Matteo.” I breathed out slowly. “You can’t say things like that to me.” Peeking up at him, I studied his face. Strong jaw and glittering blue eyes. His dirty-blond hair fell over his face, and the smattering of stubble on his jaw sharpened his boy-next-door good looks.
“Just did, Tink, and I don’t regret a single word.” He gazed down at me, and I felt the strange tug between us. I’d felt it that night all those months ago. I’d felt it again when I saw him standing there in the hospital… and I felt it now.
No one had ever made me feel the way Matteo Bellatoni made me feel. And that was a dangerous thing.
“You can’t call me that anymore. I don’t have the t-shirt.”
My Tinkerbell t-shirt was my favorite thing and I’d worn it the night Matteo and I spent together. But it was with the rest of my things at my apartment—the one I could never return to, all thanks to Zander’s temper.
“You’ll always be Tink to me.” Matteo brushed the hair from my face and smiled, and damn if my heart didn’t flutter wildly in my chest.
This man. This determined, gorgeous, honest man.
“What?” he asked, and I realized I was gawking at him.
“Nothing, it’s late. You probably need to get back—”
“Cait, stop. I came to make sure you’re okay. I’m not going anywhere.”
“But—”
“No buts.” He pressed his finger against my lips and my breath caught. “I can take one of the guest rooms.”
“You’re staying?”
“Yeah. In the morning, I’m going to feed you breakfast, and then you’re going to show me how much progress you’ve made on that puzzle.”
“You’re serious?”
“Do I look like I’m joking? Now, let’s go.” He got up, pulling me with him.
“Uh, go where?”
“To bed. You just said so yourself, it’s late.” Hands on my shoulders, Matteo gently nudged me down the hall, stopping at my room. “You’ll be okay?”
“I… uh, yeah.” I glanced back at him.
“Okay.” He nodded. “You need anything, just shout… or text. I’ll leave my phone on.”
“You’re going to go stay in one of the guest rooms, just like that?”
Matteo’s brow furrowed. “Yeah, why?”
“I… nothing.”
I wasn’t used to this. I was used to men taking what they wanted, when they wanted it. The desire in his eyes was obvious. The way the air crackled between us whenever we were near. Matteo wanted me—he just wasn’t going to do anything about it without my permission.
He chuckled. “I am quite capable of being around you and controlling myself, you know.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “I wasn’t… that’s not…” Oh God. He was looking at me with so much yearning, I felt stripped bare.
“I should… it’s late and I…”
He leaned in, dropping his mouth to my ear and whispered. “Breathe, Tink. Just breathe.” His warm breath tickled my skin, sending a shiver through me.
I felt his lips curve as he said, “Although it’s nice to know I affect you too.”
Trouble.
I was in so much trouble.
“Goodnight, Matteo.” I met his gaze, smiling. “And thank you.”
I might not have wanted him to come here, but the truth was…
It was exactly what I needed.
The smell of coffee and bacon lured me from a peaceful sleep. My eyes fluttered open as my stomach rumbled and I smiled.
Until the events of the night before hit me and embarrassment washed over me.
I had a nightmare. A bad one. Luis had eventually shaken me awake, but not before he’d witnessed me lashing out at invisible monsters, screaming and sweating as if they were right there in front of me.
And Matteo…
Oh God. Matteo was here.
It was too early to process what that meant, so I opted for coffee first.
After freshening up in the bathroom, I pulled on some leggings and an off-the-shoulder sweater, tamed my unruly curls into a low pony and went in search of breakfast.
“Morning,” Matteo said from his position at the cooktop. “I wondered if the smell would wake you.”
“You cook?” I asked, surprised.
“Don’t get too excited, it’s bacon and eggs. Hardly à la carte cuisine. Coffee?”
“Sure. Cream, two sugars.”
“Two, huh?” He smiled, and my heart fluttered.
“What?”
“Nothing.” His smile morphed to a smirk. “I was just thinking you’re already sweet enough.”
“Matteo.” I rolled my eyes, feeling my cheeks heat under his intense regard. “Where’s Luis?” I changed the subject, needing to break the simmering connection between us.
“He’s around. Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.”
“I know.”
His brow lifted but he didn’t comment. “Did you manage to get some sleep?”
“Surprisingly, I did.”
“Does that happen a lot… with the nightmares?”
“They come and go. There isn’t really a pattern.”
“What you said before…”
“Please, don’t.” I sighed, averting my gaze. I shouldn’t have said that last night. But Matteo made it too easy. He made me want things—things I could never have.
“Sorry.” He continued cooking the bacon, not looking at me again. My stomach twisted, hating the sudden tension lingering between us.
Matteo plated up the bacon and eggs in silence, pushing a plate toward me.
“Thank you,” I said, my stomach growling again.
He fought a smile. “You’re hungry.”
“Starved, actually.”
“Glad I could help.”
Matteo didn’t eat. He just stood there, watching me devour my breakfast. My body hummed with awareness, his gaze caressing my skin.
“So, about that puzzle,” he said. “Are you almost done?”
“You’re kidding right? It’s like two-thousand pieces.”
“Eat up and I’ll help you for an hour before I have to get back.”
“Why?” I blurted out.
“Do I need a reason other than I want to?”
Pressing my lips together, I shook my head.
“I’m going to make a call. I’ll be right back.”
“Oh God, your sister,” I said, remembering he was supposed to be babysitting her last night.
“Relax. Bella is fine. I left her at my place with our cousin and her bodyguard.”
My eyes widened to saucers as I spluttered, “Y-you did what?”
He chuckled. “You’re cute when you care.”
“I… you didn’t have to do that. I would never have—”
“I wanted to come, Cait. I can call you Cait, right?”
“Y-yeah.” My chest tightened.
A faint smile traced his lips. Warm. Inviting. Like sunshine on a stormy day.
Matteo was gorgeous and having one hundred percent of his attention was completely disarming.
“Finish your breakfast. I’ll be back.” He tapped the counter and walked off, and suddenly, I didn’t feel so hungry anymore.
“Yes!” Matteo whooped, fist punching the air as he slid in another piece of the puzzle.
He was good. Almost as good as Luis. I’d been too mesmerized watching him to really contribute. He caught me watching him more than once but didn’t comment, merely flashed me a knowing smile and went back to the puzzle.
“Are you sure you don’t need to go?”
“Do you want me to go?”
“No, I just…”
“Caitlin, I meant what I said before. I don’t expect anything. This isn’t a transaction where I do you a favor and then you owe me. I came because I care. Because ever since that night, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind.”
“Matteo—”
“I know,” he let out a heavy sigh, “you don’t want to talk about it, and that’s okay. I can respect that. But I can’t ignore the fact that I thought I’d never see you again, and then here you are, under my family’s protection. It might not mean anything to you… but it means something to me.”
Without thinking, I leaned over and kissed him. Matteo went rigid beneath my touch. My fingers curled into his t-shirt, but then his hands cupped my face, and he took control.
And I let him.
His tongue gently nudged my lips apart, sliding against my own and coaxing a whimper up my throat. He tasted exquisite, his lips firm yet soft, demanding yet patient as he licked my mouth in slow lazy strokes, as if he was familiarizing himself with the shape of my lips and savoring their taste.
My heart galloped in my chest, my toes curling inside the fluffy slippers Arianne had gifted me.
“Fuck, Tink,” he rasped, touching his head to mine and inhaling a ragged breath. “That was…”
“Unexpected.”
Our laughter mingled together, finding its own harmony.
“You made a fatal mistake,” he said.
My brows furrowed. “I did?”
“Yeah, now whenever I see you, all I’ll be able to think about is kissing you again.”
My stomach dipped, heat coursing through my veins. Matteo brushed his nose along mine, stealing another kiss. This one was more playful, even a little clumsy. But it was still one of the best kisses I’ve ever had.
I let out a contented sigh as he pulled away.
“You liked that?”
“It wasn’t awful.” I smiled.
“Good to know.” A faint smirk traced his lips.
His phone began vibrating, but he glanced at the screen and ignored it.
“Don’t you need to take that?” I asked.
“It can wait.”
It stopped vibrating but two seconds later started again.
“I think somebody wants to get a hold of you.”
He muttered something in Italian under his breath and clambered to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”