"For giving me a choice. Even if it's an illusion. Even if I can't really leave safely. Even if this whole situation is completelyfucked up." I kissed him softly. "Thank you for making me feel like I have control over something."
We ended up on the bed. Not for sex—though I wanted him with an intensity that was becoming familiar. Just to hold each other. To process everything that had just happened.
I'd chosen to stay.
Chosen Matteo over freedom. Over my family. Over the life I'd known before.
It was probably the stupidest decision I'd ever made. Or maybe the smartest. I honestly couldn't tell the difference anymore.
But it was mine.
For the first time in my life, I'd made a choice that was entirely my own. Not because Giuseppe ordered it. Not because it served some family purpose. Not because I was playing a role or maintaining an image.
Just because I wanted to.
That had to mean something.
Even if I didn't fully understand what yet.
"What are you thinking?" Matteo asked, his hand tracing patterns on my back.
"That this is insane. That I'm probably making a huge mistake. That my feelings might not be real and I might regret this in a week or a month or a year." I tilted my head to look at him. "And that I don't care. I'm staying anyway."
"That's very brave or very stupid."
"Probably both."
He laughed. The sound was warm and genuine and made my chest tight with affection that was either real or my brain's desperate attempt to survive trauma. I still couldn't tell.
"What happens now?" I asked.
"Now?" Matteo pulled me closer. "Now we take it one day at a time. Figure out what this is. Build something real if wecan. And deal with whatever comes next together instead of with you locked in a room and me pretending I'm not completely obsessed with you."
"You're admitting again you're obsessed?"
"Stefan, I kidnapped you and kept you locked up for two weeks because I couldn't let you go. I'm way past pretending this is anything other than complete obsession."
I laughed despite everything. "At least you're honest about being insane."
"It's one of my few virtues." He kissed my forehead. "Are you hungry? We barely ate the Thai food."
"Not really. Just tired."
"Then sleep. I'll stay."
"You don't have to—"
"I want to." His arms tightened around me. "Get some rest, Stefan. Tomorrow we can start figuring out what comes next. But tonight, just sleep."
I closed my eyes and let myself relax against him.
The door was unlocked. I could leave anytime I wanted. The cage was open.
And I was choosing to stay.
CHAPTER 10: MATTEO
I COULDN'T PUTthis off any longer.
