Page 27 of Third Crime's A Charm
To make matters worse, Matteo couldn’t trust himself around Truman. The stiff, severe scoundrel was just as sexy as the sweet, doting man Matteo shared with Donna. In bed, Truman was an irresistible combination of both. Nearly everything about Truman drove Matteo wild, but they were incapable of trusting each other.
Was Matteo truly safe with Truman?
His instincts warned that anyone that Truman didn’t trust was expendable.
He wondered how much planning happened during the morning run and debated if it would be smart to tag along as he showered. Truman was still out with Neville but was due back at any moment. They left just after sunrise and were usually gone for two hours.
Matteo didn’t mind running but that early? He shook his head, deciding it wasn’t worth the trouble because they’d find another way to conspire without him. And eventually, Truman would share hisentireplan. If not, Matteo would be taking the star back to Austria himself.
His mind made up, Matteo dressed in a pair of short, powder blue swim trunks and a pastel pink shirt. He’d left it unbuttoned and was on his way down but didn’t make it past the armchair by the bed before he needed to write something in his notepad. Matteo reminded himself to look into the protestors. That was a natural, ready-made distraction he could exploit and would see what they could do to call more attention to the party and the guest list.
There was a soft knock and Matteo looked up as Truman came in, holding out his phone. “It’s Theo,” he said, passing it to Matteo before silently leaving and closing the door behind him.
“Moagn, Theo. Wie geht's?"
“I’m good. How are you?” Theo asked urgently, making Matteo groan.
“Please, stop worrying. I promise, Truman is taking good care of me. I spent most of yesterday napping in a hammock and will be right back in it after breakfast,” he predicted. “You should bring Doobie up here in the summer.”
“Possibly... Muriel’s flying to Austria tonight and we’re leaving for Oslo tomorrow morning,” Theo said reluctantly.“Brooks is getting homesick and you aren’t in a hurry to come back.”
“Take him home! I’m sorry your trip to Austria was cut short and I promise to make it up to everyone.”
“Halt die Klappe, Teo!” Theo shushed and laughed softly. “He was already homesick before you scared us and we’ll get over it. We just want you to be alright.”
“I’m alright.”
“Would you consider coming back to Oslo with us for a while?” Theo asked, his tone slightly parental.
“Maybe in a few weeks. I haven’t been back since the sandwich shop opened.”
“A few weeks? What else do you have going on?”
“Is it so hard to believe that I have other commitments?” Matteo snapped back. “I don’t need an intervention. I’m just…on holiday with Truman. Why is that so hard to believe?”
“I’m sorry! But this isn’t like you!”
“To go on holiday with an attractive, accomplished man? Why not? I thought you, of all people, would approve.”
“Yes! But not withhim!” Theo whispered loudly. “Muriel says thateveryoneis talking and wondering if youhave underworld connections too.”
“Oida! We both know I don’t. Why are you listening to gossip? Only half of it is ever true.”
“True, but the half we know isn’t reassuring.”
“Not if you have Muriel there to dial up the drama,” Matteo replied with a click of his teeth. “I would kill for Muriel but we all know she lives in an Agatha Christie novel. The most interesting thing I’ve seen Truman do is dance the Hustle with his housekeeper.”
“Why do I find that hard to believe?”
“The sex is phenomenal but I assumed you didn’t want to hear about that…”
“I really don’t,” Theo said, sighing. “Please remember that I’m not that far away if you need me and you’re always welcome in Oslo.”
“I know. Give Doobie my best. I love you and I’ll talk to you again soon.”
“I love you too, Teo. Ciao.”
“Ciao.” The call ended and Matteo checked his watch, predicting the phone would ring again in less than a minute. It rang forty-two seconds later, making Matteo roll his eyes as he answered. “Servus,” he said with a snort. “I'm an adult, Leo. When are the two of you going to stop playing good parent/bad parent?”
