Page 33 of Third Crime's A Charm
He obediently lowered into it and pressed his hands together. “I am so sorry! I truly wasn’t planning to be away for more than afew days, and then I was worried about how upset you all would be about Truman.”
“And we have good reason to be! What were you thinking, running off with a man like Tennyson? He is a known scoundrel,” she complained but Matteo held up his hands apologetically.
“I think I like that about him.” Which was true, unfortunately. “Everyone’s so polite and polished and it gets boring after a while. Truman is polished but he’s rarely polite and he’s never boring.”
Muriel snorted, rolling her eyes. “Pick a less dangerous way to rebel against your older brothers,” she advised and Matteo gestured dismissively.
“I promise, I’m not rebelling against my brothers. There’s nothing to rebel against. No matter how much they might not like it, they will accept Truman if he makes me happy.”
“True…” she eventually conceded and Matteo felt a flash of sadness because they would find a way to make the best of it and welcome Truman to the family.
He never took that for granted and wished their loyalty wasn’t wasted on Truman. “But you’re all in a twist over nothing. This isn’t that serious.”
“Huh!” Muriel grunted dubiously, then did a double take. “What happened to your lip?” she asked and pulled her lorgnette from the chain around her neck. She bent and peered through the lenses. “And your cheek. You were in a fight!” she accused loudly.
Matteo resisted the urge to lean away but was baffled that Muriel could even see, the room was softly lit by two Tiffany lamps. “This was not a fight!” He laughed and shook his head, then coughed and canted forward. “Some people like it rough, Muriel,” he whispered.
Her jaw fell, then snapped shut. “Well!” She dropped the lorgnette and drew back. “I would have expected that from your younger brother. He’s always been the reckless one.”
“Eli?” Matteo considered but shook his head. “Eli only looks rough because he wants to be left alone. He’s solitary and quiet about his feelings, even with his brothers.” Leo and Theo misunderstood that about Eli as well, assuming the tattoos and piercings were done out of spite towards them. But Eli was born smarter than everyone and had better things to do than his chores or his homework. “He will love with his brain, first,” he said as he tapped his temple.
“You’re probably right. You know him best,” she mused with a fond chuckle. But she looked serious as she went to her chair, opposite Matteo’s, and reclined with a weary sigh. “You’ve become my favorite because you’re the most fun and I like the way you tiptoe right up to the edge. You know exactly how much you can get away with, thanks to that beautiful face and those smooth manners.”
“Are you accusing me of something or complimenting me?”
Muriel made a worried sound. “You might be in over your head this time.”
“With Truman?” Matteo snorted dismissively. “I know he isn’t taking this seriously.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. Tennyson doesn’t like to lose. He’s built his career and reputation on winning, no matter what it takes. What if he changes his mind and decides he is serious? What if he doesn’t want to let you go?”
She’d meant to scare Matteo but he felt warmer and a little dizzy at the thought of belonging to Truman. He was cold and domineering but when Matteo got Truman to crack…
“I can handle Truman.”
“I’m sure you think you can. Just don’t make the mistake of thinking he’s anything like your brother, Leopold. They maydress alike and have similar temperaments, but your brother has a conscience and honor. Truman Tennyson is a shark and he will eat anything that bleeds.”
Matteo’s face twisted. “Why did you have to compare him to Leo? They couldn’t be more different and I think you’re being too harsh with Truman. Yes, his clients are dangerous and he keeps dangerous company, but that’shisbusiness. He treats me very well and we’re having a good time.” He was stretching it a touch but she would expect Matteo to separate Truman from his clients and their criminal enterprises. There were times when Matteo almost could.
Compartmentalizing was one of Matteo’s specialties. He despised the concept of royalty and had given away most of his own wealth, but he loved his brothers dearly. And Matteo could be their eternal lost child or the Foundation’s pretty PR boy. Then, he could cut off all communication when it was time to play master thief.
But for the first time in his life, the lines were blurring and Matteo’s focus was split. Everything should have been business with Truman, but Matteo was playing a reckless game. He had agreed to help Truman steal the star but Matteo wasn’t doing it for money or fame, he was doing it because he wasn’t ready to walk away. He still felt betrayed and didn’t trust Truman, but Matteo wanted him as much as he wanted the truth behind their heist.
“Don’t worry. I can handle Truman,” Matteo repeated, giving himself a shake and smiling. “I’m just here to pack a few bags.”
“Are you sure that’s wise? There’s already talk and staying there will certainly look serious.”
That was the point but Matteo waved it off as he rose. “He can’t tend to my every whim if I’m here, can he?”
Muriel humphed. “You’re vain but I never thought you were spoiled.”
“I should hope not,” he murmured as he bent and kissed her cheek. “I’ve never been swept off my feet before and I’m finding it rather romantic,” he said with a shrug.
She laughed softly, patting his cheek. “Now that, I can believe and I hope it’s true. That’s your family’s legacy, Matteo. You’rea princeand your parents risked it all for love and left you with big, noble hearts. I hope Truman Tennyson sees what you’re really worth.”
“Of course, he does!” Matteo nodded, blinking back tears. “But we’re just having fun and I don’t think I’m ready to settle down. Who’s going to look after Eli?” he asked and she snorted, shaking her head.
“He would test the Devil but Maximilian and I are working on a plan. We think we might be able to lure him here for a few years.”
