Page 41 of The Lies We Tell

“How did he know you were here?”

Luca’s tone was accusatory, but Tessa laid a hand on Matteo’s chest before he could snap at his brother.

“He said he’s been following Sienna since you got back from Spain.”

Sienna’s eyes widened in shock. “Me? Why?”

“He said my father wanted you dead. To try and stop the sale of Gallo Industries.”

“And you decided to kill him out of the kindness of your heart? To protect Sienna?”

“Christ’s sake, Luca,” Matteo snarled. “Would you rather she let him leave the bathroom alive?”

“He threatened to rape me before he killed Sienna,” she whispered. “So it wasn’t entirely selfless.”

Matteo’s hand slid up her back to her neck, and he squeezed, pressing his lips to her temple and lingering there for a moment.

“Not a single one of you goes anywhere without an armed escort, understand?” Matteo said.

“I won’t be a prisoner on my own island,” Carina replied, crossing her arms over her chest. “I can take care of myself.”

“It’s not up for debate,” Alexei said, pinning Carina with a meaningful look until she relented with a sigh.

“Fine. But I hope you’re planning on ending this soon, Matteo. I don’t need an entourage while I plan the wedding.”

“It’ll be done soon enough,” he assured her. “Though I don’t know how Antonetti might respond to this little hiccup in his plans.”

“I’m sorry,” Tessa murmured.

“Don’t be,” Matteo replied, cupping her face in his hands and brushing his thumbs over her cheeks. “You did what you needed to do.”

“And I’m grateful,” Sienna said, reaching out to squeeze her shoulder.

“I want to move up our next meeting. If Antonetti wants to change the game, then let's fucking change it.”

Matteo glanced at Luca, who nodded.

“I’ll reach out to Dom. But first I’m going to take Sienna home.”

“I’ll meet you back at the casino,” Alexei said to Luca, leading Carina toward a silver Aston Martin and leaning down to kiss her before helping her in.

No sooner had doors slammed and engines started than Matteo’s lips were on hers, his hands gripping the curve of her hips to hold her tight against him. She clung to him the way he clung to her, soaking up every ounce of comfort he was willing to give and using it to banish the images of blood and death.

He pulled away sharply, leaving her feeling empty and wanting more of him. Without a word, he guided her around to the passenger side and gave her a hand up. They rode in silence back to Palermo, his hand reaching for hers over the center console, and she wondered if she could somehow salvage today’s turn of events with her father or if he would take this as a declaration of loyalty to the Bianchis.

She wasn’t sure if she’d be able to convince him otherwise. Moreover, she wasn’t sure she wanted to.

Chapter Sixteen

The former Varda mansion rose from behind the low stone wall lining the sidewalk. Matteo hadn’t relished the idea of driving from Palermo to Agrigento for today’s meeting. Not after Tessa was attacked at the restaurant.

But Dom had two new shipments of weapons coming in today and was actively training a new cohort of soldiers. Coming to Agrigento just made sense. And he’d left plenty of men back at the villa to ensure no one got to Tessa while he was gone for a few hours.

Plus, now he could see firsthand all the renovations he’d paid for. They’d assumed control over the sprawling villa months ago when Dom killed Varda, or rather, when Emilia killed Varda to save Dom and her sister.

Before moving his ready-made family in, Dom had filled in the vulnerabilities and upgraded the security systems. Then once they were safely behind its walls, he’d given Emilia free rein to redecorate, claiming the property was in desperate need of some modern female touches. If the outside was any indication, Dom wasn’t wrong.

The wrought iron gate guarding the driveway swung in at the touch of the security code Dom had given them, and Matteo pulled through and around to an inner courtyard. Tall trees shaded the brick, and a raised balcony ringed the first floor.

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