“My trip?”
She bit her lip. “I think he is taking you away for a few days. Like a honeymoon.”
I dropped my gaze, shocked. A honeymoon? Somewhere alone with Matteo?
I thought of his drugging kisses from the previous night. The way I felt pressed to his hard body. I had felt no fear or worry. Only a burning desire for more. More of him. It had shocked me. I knew I should be trying to figure out how to get away from him, but I didn’t want to. His promises echoed in my head. Safety. Protection. “I don’t kill innocents.”
Despite what I had seen, the horror and blood, the only thing Matteo had shown me was patience. He was stern and demanding, but he hadn’t been unkind to me. In fact, he had shown me more care in the short hours since the warehouse than Blaine had shown me our entire relationship.
Matteo asked for only one thing. Loyalty.
I could give him that.
Then I glanced at the bed and saw the flutter of lace and the gossamer lingerie in the piles. My breath caught.
He was going to ask for something else.
I thought of his mouth moving with mine. The heat of his body and how it felt when he touched me.
Could I give him that?
I looked at Roza, who was watching me, a smile playing on her lips.
I decided that maybe I could.
I ventured downstairs, dressed in the soft yoga pants, a pretty shirt, and a light sweater Roza had picked out, all in shades of green and gray. My feet were encased in sneakers and warm socks that didn’t hurt my bruised flesh. I brushed my hair off my face, leaving the bangs to cover the discolored skin. Unlike the clothes I’d been forced to wear by Blaine, in these, I felt warm, safe, and covered.
I found the kitchen, stopping as I entered. Matteo was leaning on the counter, listening to an older woman with gray hair as she spoke. He held a cup of coffee in one hand, bracing himself against the counter with the other. He was focused on whatever she was saying, and it gave me a moment to observe him. His commanding presence was evident, his shoulders set back even with his casual pose. His hair was once again slicked back, his eyebrows dark slashes that emphasized the male beauty of his face. He held a mug in his long fingers, and I recalled how gently they had touched me. Not wanting to interrupt, I lifted my hand and rapped on the doorframe.
He glanced my way, the expression on his face softening. “Ah, here she is.” He set down his mug, crooking his fingers. “Come in, Evie. No need to knock,” he said, gentle amusement lacing his voice.
I crossed the room, and he took my hand, raising it to his lips. “How pretty you look today,” he said. “Very fetching. Wouldn’t you agree, Mrs. Armstrong?”
“Indeed, she is lovely.”
Matteo introduced us, and she shook my hand. “There is coffee if you like.”
“Thank you.”
“Breakfast?”
“Oh, um, no thank you.”
She frowned but didn’t push. “I’ll make you a good lunch. You’ll have to tell me your preferences. And when you’re ready, we can go over the household and what you want changed, Mrs. Campari. I’m going to go and check on the yard workers. They missed some weeds last week.” She shook her head. “Lazy scamps.”
She left, and Matteo drew me into his arms. It felt right to be nestled into his chest, his scent—cedar and fresh-cut grass—surrounding me. I felt the press of his lips on my forehead. “You are still pale, my wife. I want you to rest. And please eat.”
“I will.”
He drew back. “I’m sure you have questions. I promise to answer them when I can. I have a very busy day and I have to be gone for a while, but I’ll be here later.”
I stiffened in sudden anxiety. “You–you’re leaving?”
He smiled in understanding. “I am leaving Marcus with you. He is my most dependable right-hand. He will guard you. There is no one I trust more to look after you.”
“What about you? Don’t you need looking after as well?”
His eyes softened, the flecks of gold around his pupils mesmerizing. “Vince will be with me.” He stroked my cheek. “I like that you are worrying about me already.” He shook his head. “I meant what I said last night, Evie. You are safe here. No one will find you, and you will come to no harm under my protection. Even if I am absent, you are protected.”
“Should I stay in my, ah, our room?”
“No, this is your home. The only place off-limits is the office I work in. It’s on the other side of the house. I ask you don’t go in without me there and that you knock before coming in.” He paused, meeting my eyes. “What I do—” He stopped and shook his head. “Promise me, Evie.”