DEIDRE
"What are you doing? Let go of me!" I cried out, attempting to push him, but he stood firm.His tense face held a tight smile, his eyes locking onto mine."I should be asking you that, Cara," he said, trying to touch my face.I slapped his hand away, glared at him, and demanded, "Stop fucking calling me that. Where are you taking me, bastard?! Why are you here? I could call the police on you...""You won't do that. And I don't remember you being so crude, sweetheart," Matteo murmured, his gaze fixed on mine. His eyes traced my face as if searching for something.I shivered, wrapping my arms around myself, wanting distance from him and his reach.It annoyed me how he stood there, acting as if we were still lovers. Maybe we were once, but seeing him now grated on my nerves."I should be asking why you're here," he retorted."It's none of your business!" I shot back, shrugging off his hand that slipped around my waist, though he held on tight.His touch made my nipples harden, and under his scrutiny, my core dampened.It was strange that Matteo still had an effect on me. No matter what I did, thoughts of him invaded my mind—foolish me. It seemed I hadn't learned my lessons well the last time. Perhaps this would be even worse. Yet, I was certain I had control now, not the naive teenage girl I once was.As we exited the elevator, he pulled me into the room. Glancing around as he flicked on the light, I spotted the restaurant logo on the wall in the right corner of the room and sighed with relief.At least Matteo hadn't brought me to an unfamiliar place where I might be trapped if he tried anything funny.Yet, being close to the door didn't make me feel safe; it made me uneasy."I don't want to be here with you," I told him, struggling to maintain a steady voice. "I've got work to do, and you can't just whisk me away like this. Do you realize how much money I'm losing by being here?"Matteo raised a thick eyebrow. "I have every right to do as I please, considering you're my wife. Or have you forgotten Mia Moglie?"I grimaced at his use of the term "my wife." "Once again, my name is Deirdre, and our marriage was never real. It was a charade."Matteo nodded. "True, but you didn't hold up your end of the bargain.""Because I wanted out, and you didn't," I retorted. "You shouldn't even be here, bringing up all of that. I've moved on already."He shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm not here to remind you of our failed marriage...""Sham marriage," I corrected him."Whatever. I'm here to claim what's rightfully mine."A shiver ran down my spine, and I felt a cold sweat break out on my forehead. "And what exactly is that?""You," he replied.Staring at him with wide eyes, I burst into laughter, unable to control myself. It was a nervous laugh, a habit I couldn't break. "You can't be serious!"Matteo's expression remained unwavering. "I'm deadly serious. And I always get what I want."Suppressing my giggles, I looked at Matteo. Was he joking or testing my response? His face showed no signs of amusement; instead, it remained rigid, with an intense stare. I stepped back as he approached."Me? You must be mistaken. We have nothing in common anymore. I walked away, remember?"His gaze shifted to my left hand. "But your hand suggests otherwise." He pointed at the ring he had placed on my finger during our wedding ceremony. I hadn't removed it. I wasn't sure why.It was a magnificent platinum band adorned with a dazzling princess-cut diamond, meticulously set within a halo of smaller round diamonds. It cost a fortune, and I guess one of the reasons I had kept it was I didn't have the money to pay if he asked for it."I'm not lying, darling. It's evident you're still holding on to me, and you always will be. No other man can stir your emotions like I did."My teeth ground together, my anger and frustration reaching a boiling point. How could he dare assume he understood my feelings? I had moved on, or at least I believed I had.Yet, his words echoed a truth I couldn't brush aside. My heart still skipped a beat at the mere mention of his name, and now, the memories of our time together rushed back like an overwhelming wave.But I wouldn't let him see that, wouldn't admit it. "I've moved on, Matteo. I've built a new life."He smirked. "Is that why you're still wearing my ring?"I glanced at my hand, a hint of doubt flickering within me. Was it just a habit or something more? I struggled to find words to answer. I felt like a teenager again, unsure of myself."Can no other men make you feel the way I do, Dolcezza?" he jeered. "Is that why you can't let go? Or maybe it's because you're a gold-digger, parading yourself like a whore out there and letting that swine lay a hand on you!"His crude words flared anger within me, and a flush of heat rose to my face. I turned my gaze away, unwilling to meet his icy stare.He stood over me, his eyes penetrating mine like sharp daggers. I wondered how much longer he would keep scrutinizing me as if he could strangle me with his bare hands."Did you let another man take you to bed while you still held onto me in your heart?"Matteo's gaze swept over me as I pulled the ring from my finger; unable to endure the taunt in his voice any longer- I hurled the ring at him."I only kept it to give it back when the time was right. I can't afford extravagances like you, and I never knew when you'd come begging for it."Handing back the ring brought me both relief and a sense of guilt. The ring symbolized my connection to an Italian tycoon, even though our marriage was a façade without any real emotional ties. It made me feel like I had a place and was cherished by someone.But Matteo had never loved me. He had never even uttered the word "love" in relation to me. He had provided a sense of being desired and looked after, which was why I'd clung to him. Yet, it hadn't been enough. I had yearned for his complete affection, even though I was well aware it would remain out of reach. Matteo was too distant and detached, and I was just one more woman in his life, a means to an end.I gasped and recoiled as I felt a cool hand on my cheek. Looking up, I found Matteo standing before me."Let me live my life in peace," I pleaded, my voice quivering. "Let's pretend this never happened and move on. Please, stop pursuing me.""I'm not here for you because I want to be," Matteo's voice was a low growl, his eyes turning darker.As I edged back, his icy gaze assessed me, causing me to bite my lip nervously."What do you expect from me?" I inquired, fighting to hold back my tears. Ironically, my eyes betrayed me by welling up. "You've stated it clearly: I'm not your type of woman. So what exactly do you want? Stop tormenting me!"Matteo's impassive, stone-gray eyes studied me briefly before his jaw clenched. "The child you took away, where is she?"DEIRDREThe look in Matteo's eyes told me he meant business and was willing to do whatever it took to get what he wanted. But I wouldn't let him have the satisfaction without a fight. He would never take my child from me.If he killed me, maybe he would succeed. However, the thought of lying dead on the floor sent a shiver down my spine. No, I had to fight back. I couldn't let him win."I'm not pregnant, Matteo. Fuck off," I scowled and pushed him away as he tried to grab my hand."You were," Matteo corrected me. "I'll forgive you for keeping me out of her life, but I won't forgive you for taking her away without my knowledge and raising her like a bastard!""I don't know what you're talking about," I said, trying to sound as convincing as possible.Matteo laughed, cold and cruel, "Don't play dumb, Deirdre. I know everything. You can't hide the truth from me.""I don't have any child of yours with me," I protested."You've told me many lies, and I won't forgive you this time. I'm taki
DEIRDREAs Matteo strode towards me, I dashed to what I guess was the bathroom.However, I was not fast enough. He gripped my hair, flung me across his shoulder, and tossed me on the bed.I fell with a plop, and I stood abruptly as well."Kendall is mine, and we had no official dissolving of our marriage. I can prove that your body is still mine by fucking you this instant.""N-No, please!" I stuttered, pushing at his chest as he came down on me.My eyes rounded as he parted my legs, but I kept shoving him.I didn't think my punch affected him because he gripped my chin and forced me to stare into his cold eyes."P-please, I beg of you."Whether he heard me or not, Matteo didn't show it.He bounded my hands with the tie he had released from his neck."Tell me, Tesoro, do you think you can run away from me?" His grey eyes turned darker, and swiftly, he clutched the thong I wore, ripping it off me.My legs snapped shut almost immediately, attempting to cover up the rest of my dignity as
DEIRDREThe following morning, I found myself inside Matteo's penthouse in Miraval. It took me thirty minutes from the Luxe Bistro and forty minutes from my modest apartment. I couldn't help but realize that Matteo had always been within my reach, but he had been waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.As I woke, I spotted Matteo's watchful dogs guarding the hotel. They were the first individuals I encountered, and they were not shy about telling me it was their boss's order. I left the hotel, and the worst part was that they followed me everywhere, making it difficult for me to breathe.Finally, I received a reminder call from Matteo, informing me that since I chose to remain stubborn and not call him last night about my decision, I should prepare myself for court. I knew he had the financial means and influence to sway the judge in his favour, which was why I didn't want to go to court but had agreed to his wish.As I entered the penthouse, I reminded myself it was all for Ke
DEIRDREI spent the entire day under Matteo's watchful gaze. I returned to the living room after checking in the room Mrs Smith prepared for me.Matteo never let me leave his side. When I mentioned wanting to pick up Kendall from daycare, he sent one of the watchdogs instead, making things even more difficult for me.Maybe I shouldn't have come to his penthouse in the first place. I shouldn't have agreed to his terms. Now, I was back to the suffocating lifestyle I had left behind. I never realized how stifling it was until now.I let out a sigh, fanning my face. Wiping away the sweat gathering on my forehead, I groaned and slumped into the seat. It wasn't the room's temperature making me feel hot. The air conditioning in the room actually made it colder than usual, but Matteo's eyes seemed to melt away all the coldness.They were intense, piercing, and smoldering, stripping me of what little dignity I had left. He made me feel exposed. It should have been uncomfortable, but instead,
DEIRDREAfter a long, soothing soak in the bathroom, I emerged. I had to admit, despite my initial reluctance, that Matteo's penthouse was on par, if not better, than a five-star hotel. The room prepared for me was far beyond my means, even if I emptied my savings to afford it. But I wasn't swayed by such extravagance. All I ever wanted was to provide Kendall with the best life.As I wrapped my hair in a large brown towel and secured another around my waist, I approached the wardrobe. However, upon opening it, I found nothing suitable to wear. My brows furrowed in confusion. The wardrobe was predominantly filled with lingerie. Hadn't Matteo mentioned that Mrs. Smith had gone shopping for me? Or had she not?I pondered if Matteo had done this on purpose, glaring at my now-soaked and ruined outfit on the floor. I couldn't wear it, but staying in the towel for too long wasn't an option either.The door swung open, and my attention snapped towards it. My eyes widened as Matteo entered, ac
MATTEOHaving climbed down from my car, I strode towards the entrance of the formidable building in front of me. Standing at the entrance, I touched the pendant on my chest. The door whined and swirled open, and as soon as I stepped in, it closed with a snap.A wince escaped me at the loudness of it. I should have been used to it, but then, it often startled me each time.I was at the La Fortuna Privé. It was a high-end casino with luxurious décor, glittering chandeliers, and an array of gaming tables. Located on the outskirts of Miraval, the La Fortuna Privé served as a front for money laundering and a source of revenue, which was mainly a hotspot of high-stakes gambling and discreet meetings for the Ferrovia Famiglia.The organization I belonged to."For fifteen years, you were here, Teo, yet you still flinched at the sound of the door?" Lucia said as she approached me with a raise of her slender brows.Lucia Rossi was a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties. She sported short brunett
MATTEO"Hey, Ice Queen!" Nicholas called."Shut up, or I'll make you, Ink!" Lucia retorted.Although I referred to Lucia as Lucy, most people in the famiglias knew her as the Ice Queen. It was due to her ruthlessness while carrying out her assignment that she was nicknamed that.As for Nicholas, he was called Ink because of the many tattoos he had on his body. While every one of us had a tattoo symbolizing our organization, Nicholas' tattoos covered 90% of his body. I wouldn't be surprised if he had one, even in the most private areas.I breathed out as Lucia stepped towards me, her lavender scent teasing my nostrils."Who's that, Bambina?" She questioned, leaning into me. "Giovanni said to remind you about the meeting."Of course, I hadn't forgotten about it. I had only just stepped out now and wanted some respite from everything that had been happening."Teo," Lucia called as I ignored her question. "You've been brooding, Sphinx, and this is the longest I've seen you lost in thought
DEIRDREIt was past eleven, and Matteo still wasn't home. I figured I shouldn't wait up for him, but I couldn't help myself."Mama," Kendall murmured.I looked down at her as she tugged at the hem of the robe I had on. It was Matteo's robe. I didn't have much choice in the matter as I found nothing suitable to wear."Why, baby?" I asked, bending down to her level. "Shouldn't you be in bed?"I ruffled her hair as she wrapped her tiny arms around me."I want Daddy to kiss me goodnight," she murmured, half-asleep.This wasn't the first time she'd asked about her father, but today, she'd been talking about Matteo nonstop, even though I hadn't mentioned anything about him being related to her. It puzzled me. Also, I kept wondering how Kendall, who couldn't stop speaking about Matteo, had called him a monster.Perhaps it was a misconception."I'll kiss you good night," I said, planting a gentle kiss on her forehead."No," Kendall shook her head emphatically. "You do that all the time. I wan