DEIRDRE
The 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 Kendall; pushing back the alarm ringing in my head, I glanced around. The living room was vast and spacious, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that offered an unobstructed, panoramic view of the city skyline.I touched the sleek modern furnishing as I walked further in. The plush sofas and armchairs upholstered in opulent fabrics enticed me to sink in and unwind, but I knew I couldn't. I wouldn't even dare if I could.Breathing out slowly, I stared at the centre of the room where a contemporary fireplace stood, casting a warm, inviting glow that illuminated the refined decor.The sight before me was breathtaking, reminiscent of the penthouse in Sicily.Nostalgia washed over me as I stood there, alone. I couldn't help but remember the days when Matteo and I frolicked on his island penthouse, enjoying the cool sea breeze and the sun's warmth on our skin. It seemed like only yesterday when we were inseparable, enjoying each other's company and the endless possibilities life had to offer.I couldn't deny that our relationship was primarily physical, without much emotional connection. Despite this, I still enjoyed every moment we spent together. However, that all changed after that night.Taking a deep breath, I tried to push the unwanted memory out of my mind. I detested thinking about it."Beautiful, isn't it?" Matteo's husky voice interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to face him.He was dressed in colourful Bermuda shorts and a white button-up shirt with the top three buttons undone, revealing a dark mat of hair on his chest. I couldn't help but notice his chiselled features and the intensity of his gaze. Despite everything that had happened between us, I still felt a spark of attraction, a flame that refused to be extinguished."It is," I replied in a low voice, barely above a whisper.We stood there, silent for a moment, each lost in our thoughts.Then Matteo spoke again. "Are you here to agree to my terms or to fight me?" he taunted, breaking the solemnity of the moment.I gazed at him and shook my head slowly. "I'm here to agree with you," I murmured."That's perfect!" Matteo feigned enthusiasm.Stepping closer to me, he caused me to back away. Matteo grabbed a lock of my red hair and brought it to his nose, inhaling deeply before grinning. "Why do I feel like you're not going to go down without a fight?" he teased.He tilted my face to meet his, staring into my emerald-green eyes. "Tell me, darling, what is running through that head of yours?"I held his gaze steadily, my expression betraying nothing. "Whatever happens between us, we need to keep it away from Kendall. She's only a child and should not be involved in our business."Matteo raised his eyebrows mockingly. "Do you think I'm so cruel, Cara?" he asked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "You hurt my feelings."He stepped back from me, allowing me to breathe a sigh of relief. However, his intoxicating scent lingered in the air, tempting me to take another breath. I made the mistake of inhaling deeply, and his smell again filled my nostrils.His fragrance was unique and enticing, with a musky undertone that indicated a hint of spice.Since I had first met him, I recognised him with the scent, and it never failed to make me feel giddy.I watched as he strode over to the corner of the room where the bar was located. He grabbed a bottle of red wine and poured himself a generous amount before lifting the glass to his lips. When he noticed me observing him, he set the glass down immediately."Forgive my manners, darling. Would you care for some?" he offered.I shook my head, refusing to be compromised. "I'd rather shoot myself in the head than accept whatever you have to offer," I replied, my voice laced with venom.Matteo closed the distance between us in a few long strides, pulling me towards him. He growled in my ears, "Be careful what you wish for, darling."He formed a gun sign with his hand and pushed it to my head, making me gasp in fear. "You may have that bullet you so desperately desire in your head," he threatened, his eyes glowing with danger."What else do you want?" he demanded gruffly, leaning closer to me. "Tell me before I lose all my generosity."I took a deep breath, steadying myself before speaking. "I'll stay with you as Kendall's mother. I can't leave her alone in your care, and I don't want a random woman or a slut taking care of my child," I said firmly, my nose wrinkling at the thought of him with a leggy blonde standing in as Kendall's nanny."That's even more perfect!" Matteo laughed, clearly enjoying my discomfort. It was apparent he had planned this, and I was playing right into his hands.Despite the terrible situation, I couldn't leave Kendall with him. She was my responsibility, and I had to do whatever it took to keep her safe.Matteo locked his intense gaze on me. "Is there anything else you'd like to add?" he asked.I shook my head, feeling uneasy under his scrutiny.A mischievous smirk formed on his lips. "You've given me your condition, and I will give you mine."I licked my lower lip, trying to hide my anxiety. "What's your condition?" I asked.Matteo tutted at my impatience. "It's nothing you can't handle," he said. "You can stay with me for eternity, but you mustn't engage in foul play because I won't forgive this time, no matter how much you grovel."My heart sank at his words. I knew what was coming next, and I braced myself for it. "And?" "Continue to perform your wifely duty," he said.A wave of anger washed over me. How could he ask me to continue playing the part of a devoted wife when he knew how much pain it caused me? Our marriage wasn't real! I wanted to scream that to him.Matteo chuckled again, "You should know your body fascinates me, Bellissima. You are a piece of art." He unabashedly gazed at me lewdly before smirking."I understand, Matteo," I said through gritted teeth, forcing a smile. "I will continue to be the dutiful wife you expect me to be." Even though it was the opposite of what I wanted to say, Matteo had everything planned out; I couldn't walk out of it.I needed a plan of mine, too.Matteo's grin widened. "Eccellente," he said. "Then we have an agreement."Matteo made a quick phone call, and a petite woman, perhaps in her mid-forties, appeared at the door. She had shoulder-length dark hair and an apron tied about her waist.She smiled at Matteo before gazing at me. "That is Mrs Smith," Matteo introduced. "She'll be showing you where you'll stay until I leave this wretched environment back to Sicily."I nodded, and Mrs Smith flashed me a warm smile, her dark brown eyes crinkling at the side. "Come, ma'am," she said. "I've made the room better, but I don't know if you'd like to rearrange it again to fit your taste."As I turned to leave with Mrs Smith, Matteo called out to me. "Oh, and one more thing, my dear," he said, his voice dripping with honeyed venom. "If you ever try to leave me again, I will make sure you regret it."A cold shiver ran down my spine at his words. After staring at him for a few seconds, I made my way to my room, where I would continue playing the perfect wife until I could finally break free from his grasp.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
DEIRDREI paused by the doorway alongside Matteo, realizing we stood in front of what I assumed was his room.With my arms crossed, I spoke up. "I thought we were going to discuss this in the living room."Matteo turned to me, his gaze assessing me. He remarked, "I should be the one concerned, considering you're now wearing my things without permission. I can't predict what else you might do."The audacity!I clenched my teeth, unable to hold back. I shot him a glare. "You left me with no choice. And how dare you take my clothes? That was never part of the deal!""This is my home, my rules," Matteo stated firmly."This is a mistake," I muttered, shaking my head. He held the door open wider after entering.I was reluctant to step in with him, but it seemed as though if I didn't, he was going to make me.As I stepped into the room, Matteo shut the door behind us. I stood close to it, still holding onto myself as if it could shield me from whatever might transpire in this room.The space
DEIRDREThe next morning, I was awakened from my slumber by Kendall. She kept jumping on my bed, tugging at my robe.She wasn't the only one, although she was the major reason. I heard voices outside my door, making me wonder if there was a special visitor in the penthouse."Mama!" Kendall exclaimed, her hands tangled in my hair, and she pulled, making me wince."That hurts, Kenny," I groaned, gently removing her hand. I sat up straight as a knock followed by Matteo's voice sounded."Daddy has a woman over," Kendall whispered, making me frown."What do you mean he has a woman over?" I asked."There's a woman waiting for him outside," she said, her nose wrinkling.Kendall surprised me most of the time. For a child her age, she was much more eloquent than I would have imagined. Most of the words she used surprised me even more. I believe she learned them from her friends in the playgroup she attended, perhaps from one of her teachers."Darling," Matteo's voice called from outside my doo
DEIRDREIt hadn't been more than two hours since Matteo had given me the time I needed. I emerged from the room, my luggage in tow.As I reentered the living room, I spotted Matteo, Lucia, and Kendall. Kendall rushed towards me, her ice cream cone forgotten in her hand."Mama!" she exclaimed, gripping my legs. "You look so pretty.""Thank you, baby," I replied, tousling her hair.Matteo came over to me, leaning in. "You look good."I nodded. It wasn't the first time he'd complimented me, and I doubted it would be the last.Matteo had changed into a different outfit. Instead of the brown two-piece suit he'd worn earlier, he now sported a tailored navy blazer matched with a crisp white dress shirt. He paired it with well-fitted khaki trousers and a complementary brown leather belt.Lucia approached him, adjusting the navy blue silk pocket square, then gestured to the brown loafers he wore."What?" Matteo asked."You promised to get me one," she reminded him, and Matteo nodded in acknowl