Page 40 of Third Crime's A Charm
Truman whispered an apology, realizing he was about to incriminate himself. He also realized he didn’t have a choice if he wanted to finally get to the truth. “I know that you’re passing off everything you steal to Heedy and two others and they’re dumping the proceeds into various shelters and charities.”
“I see…” Matteo held the notepad behind his back and paced away from Truman.
“I was expecting you to?—”
“How dare you?”Matteo shouted, swinging back to Truman and flinging the notepad over his head..
“I walked right into this,” Truman sighed, prepared to weather Matteo’s wrath.
“How many times have I told you to stop following me? You invaded my privacy, Truman! Do you know how furious you would be if I did that to you? Ha! We do know!” He aimed a finger at Truman, jabbing him in the sternum. “You would have had your thugs beat my arse, wouldn’t you?”
Truman nodded. “Would you like them to beat my arse?” he offered and Matteo paused.
“I…might.” He blinked at Truman, his lips pursing as he struggled. “How can I ever trust you if you spy on me like this?”
“It was mostly for your safety!” Truman objected. “And I had to know why you wanted the diamonds and why you’re stealing.”
“I told you everything you needed to know! The rest of it wasmy business. The same way ‘this thing’ is your business.” Matteo said, curling his fingers so Truman knew he was referring to the star.
“This isn’t the same. I’m protecting you,” Truman said but Matteo laughed wryly.
“This is exactly the same! I don’t tellanyoneabout who I work with and they don’t know about each other because I don’t want them getting arrested or hurt,” he explained slowly, then waved between them. “You don’t trust me with your truth, I don’t trust you withtheirsafety.”
“You have to know I would never—” Truman started but Matteo hushed loudly.
“It wasn’t any of your business! That’s why you’re upset: you think everything should be your business.”
“You had no reason to hide this!” Truman argued. “You didn’t have to give me names but you could have told me that first morning and I would havehelped you.”
Matteo pulled a face. “Sorry, I wasn’t in a very trusting mood at the time. You let youremployeesdestroy my face and you blackmailed me.”
“Your face is perfect and I told you I regret that. I’m sorry, Matteo.” Truman reached for him but Matteo pulled away. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” he said as he followed and caught Matteo’s hand. “I’m sorry and I will never stop saying it.” Truman reeled him in, gathering Matteo in his arms and cradling his cheek. “I wish you would have told me!” he whispered, lowering his head and pecking at Matteo’s lips.
“How could I trust you? You set a trap for me and I was beaten up and blackmailed.” Matteo reminded him. “I couldn’t risk getting anyone else hurt or in trouble. What if you blackmailed them too?” he asked, making Truman mutter a curse.
At himself. “You’re right. I acted like a monster and I’mso sorry, but what did you think was going to happen after you stole from me?” Truman asked, suddenly curious.
Matteo frowned and shook his head. “Nothing. I thought we would probably have sex again and maybe breakfast, if you were a gentleman. I wasn’t expecting you to notice for days or weeks,or possibly months. By then, we would be planning our wedding or seeing other people. Who knows?” he asked with a vague shrug.
“You were going to come back to bed?” Truman repeated weakly, his heart sinking with regret. How much happier and easier would everything have been if he hadn’t told Neville to move if Matteo breached the safe? But it had never even occurred to Truman that Matteo wouldcome back. He thought Matteo would sneak out as soon as he had what he wanted, then ghost Truman and deny knowing anything about the diamonds later.
“I would have dressed first, if I wanted to take the diamonds and run, ja?” Matteo said with an expectant look. “I told you, the sex was personal, not the diamonds.”
Truman’s hand shook as it spread across his mouth, he didn’t know if he wanted to laugh or cry. “I didn’t think it meant anything to you and that Ihadto trap you so you’d stay and hear me out,” he explained and his heart didn’t just sink, it burned as Matteo shook his head and tears clung to his lashes.
“I thought it meant a lot. It did to me, until I was jumped. You made me feel cheap and like I was worthless.”
“No!” Truman shook his head. “I knew you were beautiful and brilliant and that you were so much more than a thief. I’ve been trying to make it up to you and I’d give anything to take it back.”
Matteo sniffed hard, his gaze darting wildly as he avoided looking at Truman. “You accused me of stealing because I was greedy or because of my brothers.”
“You’re right! I should have known better!” Truman wrapped his arms around Matteo, shushing and cradling his head. “I should have guessed you were doing it to help others but…that’s not how anyone operates in my world.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that you stepped over the line.” Matteo said, his voice muffled as his arms slid around Truman’s waist. “There are things I didn’t want you to know for good reasons but you still sent Neville to spy on me.”
“I know but what if someone jumps you or tries to kidnap you? Do you know how scared I’d be?”
Matteo raised his head and cocked a brow at Truman. “I’ve never been jumped or kidnapped until I met you,” he said, making Truman grimace.
