Page 142 of Matteo
“Yes. That wardrobe really wasn’t you.”
Although his voice was calm, unnerving, his expression was cold, with a sinister edge to it.
“You had me naked while unconscious?”
“I’ve seen you naked before, but don’t worry, I kept it strictly… PG-13.”
My temper flared, but my limbs trembled as I stared at the eyes that used to watch me with so much warmth, but now were full with callousness.
Something about it didn’t sit well with me. Maybe the fact that I was the cause of it. Or maybe that my ex-lover now wanted—no,demandedrevenge.
“Where have you taken me?” I said, my tone composed. “And when my dad finds out about this…”
I didn’t finish the statement, but unfortunately it didn’t have the effect I’d hoped for because the man who stared at me had determination and cruelty radiating off him.
“It will be too late by then.”
My brows furrowed. “Too late?”
“Can you get up?”
I shifted around, letting my feet touch the ground while I let my gaze stray in search of an escape. There was only one, and Matteo was blocking it.
“What is this place?” I asked, standing up and feigning to study the room while fishing for information. It was simple and had little furniture—a bed, desk, and a bookshelf. Dark woodenbeams curved above us at an angle, almost in a slanted, church-type roof.
“It’s my place.”
“Okay,” I said slowly. “Where are we?”
“Rural village of Lahinch.”
Thankfully, we hadn’t made it far. I could still escape him and get to the train station.
A dark shadow came over me and I looked up, realizing he’d closed the distance between us. His hand wrapped around my throat and he gently squeezed, demanding my attention.
“You have no idea what you’ve done, Ari.”
My nails dug into his wrist. “I’ve done nothing, Matteo.”
Except for shooting him and refusing him. But what choice did I have?
“You’ve created a monster.” His fingers stroked my throat, right where my pulse throbbed. “I’m going to need you to read something for me.”
My brows furrowed in confusion. “Read?”
“Yes. Can you do that for me?”
I pursed my lips. “If I do, will you leave?”
The moment stretched into eternity. “Yes.”
Just because she’s a good girl doesn’t mean she isn’t a bad bitch.
He reached into his pocket and handed me a crumpled piece of paper. “Read that.”
His hand was still on my throat, but he allowed a bit of distance. I looked at the words, my eyes darting over the handwriting that dripped with confidence.
“What is this?” I asked, staring at the words that made no sense. Yes, I understood them, but they had no relevance here.
