Page 70 of Monster

22

Mateo

I straightenedmy crimson red tie against the matching button-front shirt before I slid the black silken vest up my arms. I buttoned the three golden buttons before slipping on my suit coat and reaching for my golden matching cufflinks. I loved this suit. It was my favorite. Easily the most expensive in my closet, but it made a statement.

And it was a statement I needed to make tonight.

I was well aware of Lorenzo’s intrusion into my home. That man didn’t take a step without me knowing it, especially when he danced onto my property like he owned the place. But, I decided not to confront him about it. For now, I wanted him to think he had the power. I wanted him to think that he had this one-up on me that I somehow didn’t have on him.

Because it was that cocky comfort of his that would be his ultimate downfall.

And hopefully, the downfall of his entire family.

My mind kept rushing back to that night, though. The night I was attacked in my own home for releasing those women. I knew damn good and well it was the Lucchese Family that sicced them on me. I had no beef with anyone else except those hot-headed, spoiled little rich bitches still sucking on the expensive teats of their parents. I mean, come the fuck on, Lorenzo still lived with his mother! As did the rest of those bullshit kids!

They weren’t employees. They were glorified walking billboards of ignorance and pseudo-power.

And I could use that ignorance to my advantage.

After sliding my suit jacket on and buttoning the buttons, I studied myself in the mirror. I had to rearrange my pants a bit to accommodate the ache I still felt in my balls every time I took a step. Every single part of me regretted not taking Charlotte’s body as my own when I had the chance. Especially with how lovely she looked after I tucked her in that night. I didn’t want to take anything from her, though. I wanted her to want me.

Those were always the most delicious conquests, anyway.

And I needed something delicious in my life.

After fixing myself up, however, I made my way out of my bedroom. I walked up the steps to Charlotte’s upstairs apartment where I heard her softly humming to herself. It gave me pause as I stood at the door. With my hand hovering over the doorknob, I closed my eyes and listened to the soft, off-key sounds as a smile crept across my face.

My God, I wanted her more than I could stand.

I threw open the door. “Ready for me to choose your outfit?”

Charlotte turned around in this beautiful yellow number that brought out the delicate texture of her skin.

“What?” she asked.

My eyes fell down her body. “Beautiful, but not suited for tonight. Come with me.”

She scoffed. “I’m pretty sure I can dress myself, Teo.”

I didn’t bother answering her as I made my way into her bedroom.

“Hey! That’s my room!” she exclaimed.

I chuckled. “Actually, you’re borrowing it from me, since this room is mine. Now, to find you a suitable dress for the evening.”

I walked straight into her closet and felt her glare on me as I started canvassing her clothes. My fingertips wafted against a couple of the dresses, but pulled away the second I felt the heaviness of the fabric. She needed to wear something that would breathe tonight, especially with the plans I had for us.

However, once I came across the crimson red number with a slit all the way up the side of the skirt, I plucked it from the hanger.

Then, I tossed it to her. “Change into this dress and wear that white gold and ruby jewelry set you have in here. Make the makeup a bit more neutral and keep your hair down.”

She scoffed. “Anything else, Master?”

I grinned. “Keep it up and I’ll make you call me that for the evening out of spite.”

“You can’t make me call you anything.”

“The basement says otherwise.”

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