Page 104 of Shadows of Steel
Mattia shrugs, twirling his fork. “Papa and Leo are working. Mario too. Big meeting with the families.”
I already saw the men arriving earlier. Dante’s four Capos. He hadn’t said anything, but I’d felt his presence shift the moment they stepped inside.
“Well,” I say, spearing a cherry tomato with my fork, “how about we spend the day by the pool?”
Mattia pauses mid-bite, lowering his fork as he gives me a flat look. “You don’t know how to swim.”
I roll my eyes. “No need to mention it every time.” I wave a hand dismissively. “I’ll just lounge by the pool, soak up some sun. No need to get in the water.”
He squints at me, clearly unimpressed. “So you’re just gonna sit there like an old lady?”
I smirk. “Exactly. But don’t drown, because I won’t be able to jump in and save you.”
Mattia scoffs, stabbing at his pasta. “You’re supposed to say, I won’t let you drown!”
I pop the tomato into my mouth, feigning indifference. “I prefer realism over empty promises.”
He groans, shoving another bite of pasta into his mouth, clearly unimpressed with my lack of concern for his hypothetical drowning.
After lunch, we make our way to the pool. Mattia wastes no time diving in, cutting through the water with ease while I stretch out on a lounge chair, book in hand, soaking in the afternoon sun. The estate is quiet, the rhythmic sound of splashing the only real disturbance as he flips and twists through the water, showing off. Occasionally, he calls out for me to watch, and I offer a lazy thumbs-up over the pages of my book.
Hours slip by in easy silence, the warmth of the sun lulling me into a state of comfort, at least until the persistent ache in my lower back starts to creep in again.
By the time dinner rolls around, the discomfort has worsened. I shift in my seat at the dining table, trying to find a position that doesn’t make me want to groan in frustration.
Bianca brings out steaming plates of risotto and grilled vegetables. Dante, Leonardo, and Mario are still locked in their meeting.
I sip my water, absently rubbing at my stomach as dinner carries on. The ache in my lower back lingers, dull butpersistent, but I ignore it, focusing instead on Mattia, who’s happily finishing off his plate.
“Want to watch a movie after?” I ask, pushing my glass aside.
Mattia’s eyes light up instantly. “Yeah!” He sits up straighter. “But I’m picking.”
I arch a brow. “That depends. What are we watching?”
He hums in thought, clearly debating his choices, but I can already tell it’ll be something animated or a ridiculous action film that defies all logic. Either way, I nod. “Fine. But if it’s terrible, I reserve the right to mock it the entire time.”
After dinner, we make our way to the theatre room, because, of course, this estate has one. Bianca has already set out snacks for us, neatly arranged on a low table in front of the oversized plush seating. I sink into one of the lounge chairs, stretching my legs as I get comfortable.
Mattia hesitates for a second before wandering off. I watch him, brow furrowing as he moves toward the corner of the room, grabbing something. When he turns back, he’s holding a thick blanket, his cheeks slightly pink as he places it over me.
I blink, momentarily caught off guard, before my lips curve. “Thanks.” I pause. “Do you want to share?”
Mattia shrugs, playing it off like it’s nothing, but the way he immediately sits beside me and tugs the blanket over his lap gives him away.
The movie begins, some fast-paced animated film with a ridiculous plot. I try to pay attention, but eventually, my mind drifts.
It happens every time I’m on my period. Even when I’m full, I still want something, something specific, something random. Cravings hit differently when I’m like this. Maybe it’s just in my head, or maybe I’m just wired this way, but either way, my thoughts wander to something sweet, fresh.
Lychee.
The thought settles in my mind, vivid and consuming, as though I can already taste it, the delicate flesh, the burst of flavour, the way it would be exactly what I need right now.
I sit up slightly, glancing at Mattia. “Do we have lychee?”
Mattia freezes, tearing his eyes from the screen to stare at me like I’ve just asked for something absurd. “Lychee?”
“Yeah.”
