The two men eye each other, barely dipping their heads in greeting.
“Anya,” Dante Moretti’s deep Italian voice rumbles. “It’s nice to finally officially meet you. Matteo is going to be so happy to see you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too, Mr. Moretti,” I reply shyly, looking up at the imposingly tall man. His warm smile does little to make him less intimidating, but it’s a step in the right direction.
“Dante, please,” he insists. “Did you have a good flight?”
“It was smooth,” I inform him. “No real turbulence, which was nice.”
“I’m glad to hear it.” Looking toward my uncle, he nods in greeting. “Anton said you would stay in your hotel, waiting for us to return her later tonight, but you’re free to come to the house. Your presence here wouldn’t give away Anya’s. You could visit with your nephews, if you wanted. And make up some story about being in town.”
“I will consider it,” Uncle Mikhail replies gruffly. “Will check out hotel first. Make sure it is secure for Anya.”
“It is,” Nico vows, though it doesn’t seem like he’s trying to get my uncle to change his mind. More like he’s trying to tell him he’s already had the security of the hotel taken care of.
It’s decided that Dante will go with Uncle Mikhail and bring him back to the house after—if he wishes to go. Nico, on the other hand, will bring me directly to the Moretti mansion and sneak me in without being spotted. I don’t know how he’s so confident that he can do it, but I can’t very well doubt the man. He’ll know his childhood home inside and out—he probably has access to their security cameras, too.
I know he’ll get me inside.
And not even twenty minutes later, he’s done exactly that. He got me through the home and up the stairs, holding my hand to drag me along quickly so that we aren’t spotted. When we’re up the stairs and in front of a closed bedroom door, he doesn’t allow me to knock.
No, he opens the door and nudges me inside, following behind and shutting it hastily after he pushes in.
I find Matteo sitting on the end of his bed, sweatpants hanging low on his hips and not a shirt in sight. He appears to be flipping through movie options, a small remote pointed at the TV hanging off of his wall.
“Anya?” he gasps, eyes round and wide.
His body is rippled with toned muscles despite his relaxed state. If I didn’t know better, I would assume he was just doing crunches rather than scrolling his TV for something to watch.
“Surprise,” I offer as my stomach flips with wild excitement and nervousness. “Sorry, Nico insisted on barging in so we weren’t seen in the hallway. I tried to knock.”
“Nico?” he asks as he stands up, dropping the television remote onto his bed and scrambling to put on a nearby shirt. Iknow it’s not for his comfort, but for my own. “What are you…How are you here?”
“You’re welcome,” Nico drawls, moving inside the room from behind me to face Matteo. “Let me know when you go anywhere, and I’ll get you both out without being spotted. Dad knows she’s here, but her father only agreed to let her come on her own if I watch over her.”
Matteo blinks at his brother. “Since when are you so eager for guard duty?”
“Since her,” Nico huffs.
My heart goes warm, hearing his care for me. Whether he’ll admit to it, or why it’s there, I’m glad to have his protection. I think Nico will be a good friend, no matter how he denies it.
Matteo shakes his head in disbelief. “First looking after her in California for two months, and now this?”
“So what?”
“So, what changed? You hate security tasks. You called them tedious and boring. You hate doing anything where you can’t kill someone by the end of it. Did you hit your head and wake up with a new personality or something?”
“What business is that of yours?” Nico snaps.
“Jesus.” Matteo steps back, sensing the threatening tone of his grouchy brother. “You’re in a mood.”
“He means thank you,” I interrupt politely. “Thank you for making this visit possible. I wouldn’t have felt comfortable coming to surprise Matteo without knowing that you would keep me safe in the process. And thank you for bringing your father along. I was glad to finally meet him. He has raised such strong and kind sons.”
“You’re welcome,” Nico grumbles before glaring at his brother. “Don’t do anything that will make her father hate you. Based on our phone call, he apparently likes you now. Who knows why.”
“Why shouldn’t he like me?” Matteo gripes, looking offended. “I’m incredible.”
“No idea what you see in him,” Nico mutters to me under his breath, turning to leave the room. “Text me when you make plans.”
