Page 41 of Matteo
“You’re not imagining it,” I declared, not missing a beat, my eyes still locked on the woman I would marry. “And she’s the right twin.”
So fucking right that my heart trembled in my chest whenever I was near her. It had been like this since I stole her first kiss.
“She has zero interest in you,” Francesca hissed, glancing around as if she was scared someone would hear. Not that it would matter… Soon the whole world would know.
My father informed me he’d discussed the matter with Nico Morrelli, and unconventionally, he would leave it up to his daughter to accept or refuse the marriage proposal. So I’d work for it. Forher. The challenge was nothing short of thrilling.
But I also had other matters on my mind.
I got a piece of information from our captive that I knew was just the tip of the iceberg. It would require me to dig deeper to unveil the truth behind the Yale shooter.
“Matteo, are you listening to me?”
“Honestly, no. You’re worrying too much, Francesca. I have it handled.” I grinned at the pinch between her brows. “Ari will be mine. No further discussion needed.”
“I love you, brother, but you can be an asshole sometimes.”
I laughed, genuinely amused. “Less than a month at Yale and you’ve turned brave on us.”
“I was always brave, jackass.” She grabbed my hand and yanked on it, over and over again. “Why do all men want what they can’t have?”
Alert shot through me at her words and I narrowed my eyes on her. “Did someone try?—”
She shook her head. “Stop changing the subject. Just promise me you won’t stir shit up with the Morrellis. I’ll never forgive you if you jeopardize my friendship with Gianna and Arianna.”
“But not Hannah?”
“I like her too, but she’s too wild.” She rolled her eyes. “And judging by what I saw today, she’spazzatoo.”Crazy. My sister and I reserved our fluent Italian for special circumstances—like now, when she was trying to scowl like an angry littlenonnabut ended up looking like a cute little girl.
“Yet you’d rather I marry her than Arianna?”
“Shhh.” She glanced around again, then added in a hushed voice, “You only want Arianna because she’s not interested in you.” She was so fucking wrong. “But mark my words, Matteo. She won’t forgive you if you cause a rift between her and her twin.”
I ruffled my little sister’s ponytail knowing how much she hated it and bent low to peck her cheek. She’d always been pint-sized, like a 2.0 image of our mother.
“Don’t worry, sis. That’s not gonna happen.”
Before she could say anything, Gabriel Santos appeared, pushing himself between us.
“What’s happening,chico? And littlechica.” He winked at Francesca. “Tell me everything.”
“Needy, nosy man. Tell me, are all Latin men like you?” she muttered under her breath. “Dio mio, save me.”
“She can’t even name my nationality. Or my language! Oh, my poor heart.” Gabriel clutched his chest theatrically. “It’sDios mío,bellaFrancesca. Get it right. And no, I’m quite unique.”
Francesca glared at him with arms crossed. “Whatever, I don’t give two shits about it. Annoy me… Get on my bad side… And Amara will be hearing tales. None of which will paint you in a good light.”
His expression flashed dangerously at hearing Amara’s name, but I knew he’d never hurt my baby sister.
“I can’t say that I missed you too much, Miss Vitale,” he muttered. “Your first night back and you’re already starting trouble.”
“Hardly. I’m saving my brother’s reputation.” She nudged my shoulder, but I ignored her. “In fact, you two should discuss the impacts of unsolicited attention directed toward your female counterparts.”
“Unsoli—?” He broke off with a huff. “All females want our attention.”
She smiled sweetly, but I knew her next words would slash him. “Amara doesn’t want yours.”
My sister could be the sweetest, purest soul, but when she threw her daggers, blood was bound to be drawn.
