When I get to the garage with my rifle bag over my shoulder, Matteo meets me with a questioning look on his face.
I pull two helmets off the hook and toss him one. “You know how to ride a bike, right? It’ll be just us.”
“And your guards?” He furrows his brow.
“No guards.”
He only nods, and a grin tugs at his mouth as he swings a leg over the motorcycle. I climb on behind him before I can think about how close we’ll be, and then I wrap my arms tightly around him.
The engine starts under us, and we pull out into the dark. Wind tears at my jacket, and the streetlights blur by. Touching Matteo is super distracting for some reason, though. I try to ignore him, but it’s hard when I’m pressed against him like this.
Once we park the bike far away enough in an alley, I get off with my bag.
“Give me a second,” Matteo says, holding his helmet in front of his crotch, unmoving.
What’s up with him? I head closer to the restaurant and take a peek around the corner. Two men are out front, leaning against cars, and I bet there are other guards that I can’t see.
“It’s impossible to get close without being seen,” Matteo whispers as he comes closer.
“I’m aware.” I tip my head back and look at the building across from the restaurant. “But from up there, we’d see everything and they wouldn’t spot us.”
He follows my line of sight and nods.
The fire escape is rusted and it groans under my boots, so I go as slowly as possible and gently grip the rail. Matteo comes up behind me.
Once we reach the roof, I can see the whole street below us. The restaurant’s front window is in view, and there’s a long table set for more than two that I can see. Dominic isn’t there yet, but his men are.
“The rifle,” I say, handing him my bag.
He crouches with it, putting it together while I keep my eyes on the restaurant. When he hands the rifle to me, I put my eye to the scope and find the front door. A man steps out for a smoke and I follow him, but I don’t see Dominic and there’s stuff in the way.
“Even if he walks out that door,” I say, keeping my voice low, “there’s an awning. I’d get maybe half a second before he’s under it. And there will be plenty of guards around him all the time.”
Matteo leans forward, taking a look. “And if you miss—”
“I wouldn’t. But I need a clear target, and I don’t think I’ll get it.” I grit my teeth.
I know what Tomasso would say right now.Patience.But I’m so tired of waiting, and I rarely get a chance to take a shot. But Dominic is smart. He chose this place on purpose because he knows a lot of people are gunning for him.
I pull back from the scope and turn my head, and I gasp because Matteo’s right next to me, his gaze lower to my mouth, so I quickly look away.
We watch the door together as more cars show up, and men climb out and head inside. I try to recognize as many faces as I can.
One of Dominic’s men suddenly lifts his head toward us.
“Duck!” Matteo breathes, pulling me down with him.
I end up on top of him, his arms wrapped around me. My lips part as I stare into his eyes, which are wide. His mouth is so close, and I could just press my lips against his, and...
What’s wrong with me? I came up here to figure out how to kill the man who took Tomasso away from me, not to lie on arooftop almost kissing the man who’s supposed to be my fake husband. I’m supposed to be using him, not falling for him.
But he’s still watching me, his face serious, and there’s something flickering through his eyes that’s almost like... Wait, is that a bulge in his pants?
I quickly roll myself off him, taking a deep breath. Nope, nope, nope.
Absolutely not.
I’m not doing this with him. Yeah, he’s hot and everything, and I like him, but business and pleasure don’t mix. Dominic is my target and Matteo is just my fake husband, and the second I forget that, I’m dead.
