“Well,that went better than I’d expected,” I say to Matteo a few hours later, once Lorenzo is gone.
“Yeah,” Matteo agrees, pulling me into his arms. “But it doesn’t surprise me. Lorenzo is the calmest, most levelheaded guy I know.”
“I don’t really know him as well as I’d like to,” I admit. “But I look forward to getting to know him.”
After I told them I was hungry, Matteo offered to order food, and Lorenzo stayed to eat and chat. It was nice, talking to him without any distance between us. He’s the only family I have left, and I want us to be close.
When the doorbell rang, I jumped and hid, and Matteo soothed me, assuring me that I was safe, while Lorenzo took the food from the guard.
Thankfully, Enrique hadn’t killed anyone, but two guards and the doorman were shot and are recovering in the hospital. Matteo said all three will be taken care of, especially the guard who made sure to sound the alarm before he blacked out, which led to Matteo being made aware that I was in trouble.
After the food was devoured, Lorenzo said he needed to head to the office, and when I offered to join him, he told me to rest and he’d see metomorrow.
Which reminds me …
“I need clothes.”
Matteo looks at me in confusion, and I laugh.
“Sorry, weird transition. But I was thinking about how I’m going to work tomorrow, and I don’t really have any work clothes. Any chance you want to go shopping with me?”
Matteo groans. “I don’t. But I know someone who loves shopping.”
He pulls out his phone, but I grab it from him.
“I don’t want a pity shopping partner.”
He snatches it back. “Trust me, my sister will be happy to go shopping. Especially with my money.”
I scoff. “I’m not spending your money. You do remember that I’m a Russo, right? When my parents passed away, I got half of everything. I might not be as rich as you, but I’m not hurting.”
Thankfully, despite Enrique mentioning us combining our accounts, we never got a chance to, so my family’s hard-earned money is still safe.
Matteo glares, and I laugh.
“What’s that look for? You want me to play the part of a gold digger? Will that make you feel better?” I coo, “Yes, please, Matteo. Buy me all the things.”
I bat my lashes flirtatiously, and he cracks a smile.
“You would make a crappy gold digger,” he says. “You’ve been living here for over a month, and aside from asking for some baking supplies, you haven’t spent a dime of my money.”
“I’m low maintenance.” I shrug and then remember something else I did buy. “I bought something for you. I’ll be right back.”
I run upstairs and inside my room, grab the package that came in the other day while Matteo was avoiding me, and then run back down.
He’s sitting on the couch, his phone to his ear, so I snuggle into his side and wait for him to get off.
“Okay, but she’s going to have Ian with her. I don’t give a shit if you have Daniil. He’s your guard, and Ian’s hers now that Georgeis out of commission. I spoke to him last night, and he agreed. All right, see you soon.”
He hangs up and pockets his phone. “Bri will be here soon to go shopping.”
“And the guards?” I ask, setting the package on the coffee table.
“Daniil is her personal guard. And Ian will be yours. If you don’t mesh well, let me know, and I’ll pick someone else, but he’s loyal to a fault, and I trust him to protect you.”
“But why do I need anyone?” I ask, confused. “Enrique’s gone, so I’m safe.”
Matteo sighs. “Did you know that the entire time you were in college, your dad had someone watching over you?”
