Page 45 of Third Crime's A Charm
“Ja,” Matteo said, chuckling softly.
“Baba,” Elio replied before the call ended.
Despite Elio's prickly, abrupt nature, he would always be there when his brothers needed him and there wasnothinghe wouldn’t do to support or protect them.
That was why Matteo had hesitated and couldn’t admit that Truman had broken his heart. Matteo was about to take a huge risk, handing over the star. He still didn’t know what Truman intended to do with it or if he was capable of loving anyone but himself.
Love isn’t everything and being a hero is boring.
Matteo was pragmatic enough to accept that all relationships didn’t end happily ever after. They were good together—even when they were fighting—and who knew what other schemes Truman had up his sleeve? The two of them could be an unstoppable team if Truman kept his word and didn’t leave Matteo hanging after his appointment with the Justice Department.
“Fine. Criminals with benefits it is,” Matteo said, heading back the way he came. He’d cut through the kitchen to the barbut he’d take his time. Truman deserved to sweat and what good was a magic trick without some drama and tension?
Eighteen
Realistically, Truman placed the odds of Matteo returning at about even. There was nothing stopping Matteo from fleeing to the Consulate General of the Republic of Austria after stealing the star. They were all focused on the party and the consulate was on Park Avenue, just a mile away. He’d receive the reward and would have the added pleasure of flipping on Truman for organizing the heist in exchange for immunity. They’d offer him just about anything for returning a priceless national treasure, taking down Truman Tennyson, and putting Martin Lonsdale away.
Had Truman done enough to convince Matteo to give him one more chance? Truman had gambled on Matteo choosing him before and had been wrong. Matteo had intended to come back when Neville and Carmine caught him the first time. But after learning how much that had hurt Matteo, Truman wasn’t sure if he’d be as lucky this time around.
He wasn’t feeling confident as he lowered into a club chair, choosing a table in a darker corner alcove of the hotel’s iconic bar. His heart was racing as he reclined and draped his napkinover his lap. Truman needed to be in the security camera’s view but he didn’t want too many people to notice if he was stood up.
“What can I get you?” a weary young woman asked.
Truman kept his head down, pretending to check his watch. “Bourbon on the rocks.”
“Make that two,” Matteo said as he slipped into the chair across from Truman, receiving a vague grunt from their server as she left them.
“How did it—?” Truman managed calmly but stopped when Matteo tossed the star and a Patek Philippe onto the table. “Christ!” The napkin from Truman’s lap was thrown on top of them as he sat forward. “How did you…?”
Matteo clicked his teeth and tapped the side of his nose. “A magician never tells. Especially when they’re in the midst of an illusion,” he whispered, sitting back.
“Right,” Truman said and casually scanned around them, recalling that the act wasn’t over. “No one gave you any trouble while you were smoking?” he asked, receiving a distracted snort as Matteo got comfortable, stretching his legs under the table.
“No one paid any attention to me,” he said and smiled when the young woman arrived with their drinks. She didn’t notice as Truman returned the napkin to his lap and discreetly slid the jewel and the watch into his pocket.
“Here you go, gentlemen.” She efficiently placed cocktail napkins in front of each of them before setting a glass in front of Truman, then Matteo. “Can I get you anything else?” she asked.
“Notyet!” Truman replied, his voice breaking as Matteo’s shoeless foot brushed his thigh aside and pressed firmly against his semi-hard cock.
“We’ll need another round in about five minutes,” Matteo told her, his wicked smile visible in the low light. His foot curved around Truman’s shaft, now throbbing as it stroked.
“Got it,” she replied with a wink at Truman.
Truman waited until her back was turned and she couldn’t hear them. “What are you doing?” he scolded and grabbed Matteo’s foot under the table. He wiggled his toes, making Truman harder and heavier.
“Relax and enjoy the ride, I am.” Matteo took a leisurely sip from his glass, utterly relaxed despite the decadent torment happening under the table.
“Are you trying to make a scene?”
“As a matter of fact,we are.” Matteo’s teeth dug into his lower lip and he shifted just slightly. No one would have noticed, the party might have been in full swing but there were only a handful of guests in the bar. Their server had made herself scarce, but Truman was scandalized as Matteo’s other foot slid into his lap. “Take it out,” he dared Truman in a giddy whisper.
“What?” Truman mouthed, unable to find his voice. He shook his head. “You’re out of your mind.”
“We’re supposed to be getting it on in the bar, ja?” Matteo countered with an elegant roll of his hand. The toes of both feet gripped Truman through his trousers, obliterating his focus.
“Ah,” he managed, nodding jerkily. “I did know that we wanted to be seen but I didn’t realize you wanted to make a scene.” Truman tugged at his collar, sweating as he grabbed his drink. A pair of well-dressed guests drifted past the bar area, laughing and causing Truman to jump despite the shadows and the deep club chair and table shielding his lap from view.
“We’re supposed to be smitten, are we not?” There was a mischievous edge to Matteo’s voice as his feet continued to knead, unraveling Truman’s control. “It was this or throw a drink in your face but I didn’t want people to think it was a family habit after Jonathon’s famous outburst. And this seemed like more fun.”
