Page 17 of Caruso
“Do you believe it was him?”
Matteo asks the million-dollar question, and I shake my head. “No. I don’t. My stepfather was, sorry, is a sloppy fighter and preferred to practise on women. He picked on those weaker than him, and Jason was strong. The strongest man I have ever met. So, I ran the next day. When my stepfather slept, I gathered everything I could. Money, clothes and food and I slipped away. I hadenough money for a bus ticket out of town, so I took the first one available.”
“He didn’t come after you?”
“Probably, but he was lazy and didn’t own a car, so the city limits were also his. I knew that if I could get past them, I would be safe. So, I ended up in Vegas, and the rest is history, but he is still there. He will always be there, and one day he may even find me.”
I glance at the food and without looking at Matteo, I begin to eat, conscious this could be my last meal for a while because now Matteo knows who he’s dealing with—what he invited to stay—I am almost positive I will be searching for new employment first thing in the morning.
Chapter Eight
Matteo
Iam angry. So god-damned angry I want to arrange a trip to wherever she comes from to commit murder. Giorgio wouldn’t be required to do the honors either. I would happily gut that pig with my bare hands for ruining this woman’s life.
She is eating as if this is her last meal, which reveals what she’s thinking far more than her words. She believes I’m disgusted with her. Nothing is further from the truth. I admire her strength, and she is going nowhere. I will protect her from whatever shit life throws at her until she is able to stand on her own. I will reward her honesty and give her a job. A different one that doesn’t involve murdering my guests—well, not intentionally anyway.
I could use a woman like Taylor in my organization, and I am resisting the part of me that is telling me differently.
You want her.
I push that man away because Taylor has been hit onher entire life, and if I proceed with my original plan, that places me in the same category as all the losers who have tried their luck with her before me.
The door opens, and I groan when Giorgio heads inside, a maniacal grin on his face as he catches sight of our intimate meal for two.
“Well, what do we have here, brother?”
I groan as he grabs a chair and sits astride it, gazing at Taylor like a wolf sizing up his next meal.
Taylor is shocked, and her eyes are wide and bright, and I don’t blame her because Giorgio’s hands are covered in bruises and bloodstains and I note how she visibly pales and lowers her silverware as she leans back in her chair.
“Allow me to introduce my brother Giorgio, who is just leaving.” I say pointedly, causing him to laugh out loud.
“I’m pleased to meet you, angel. What’s your name?”
“Taylor.”
Her voice is low, a whisper on the breeze, and he smiles with all the charm of the Grim Reaper. Sinister, cruel and edged in retribution. Exactly the man she needs to take home for a visit.
“What are we eating?”
He doesn’t take the hint, and I sigh. “We are eating, you are heading to your room to clean off and only then will you be fit to grab takeout or annoy one of the chefs to fix you something.”
“Don’t be like that, Matteo.” He shakes his head, a sly expression on his face.
“I’ve had a hard day; work is a bitch.”
He rolls his eyes at Taylor, and she shrinks back in her seat.
Giorgio is one crazy son of a bitch, and Taylor is only just opening up to me. He’s probably tripping on adrenaline right now—standard stuff after hacking a man to pieces.
“Fine. I’ll clean off, but then I’ll be back. I could use a little light relief.”
“Then go and prey on some poor guest. Taylor is mine.”
I inject steel into my words, and Taylor’s eyes widen as she glances between us.
Mine.
