Page 10 of Cavaliere

He inclines his head as he studies me, his lip twitching as if he’s amused. Again. Apparently, I’m just so fucking amusing to this guy. “Matteo.”

Matteo.

He would have a hot guy name.

“Nice to officially meet you, Matteo.”

“I like the way you say my name, Wren,” Matteo says lowly. His tone makes me lose my train of thought, and now I’m just staring at him like a creep. “Now, why don’t you tell me what happened?” he asks before taking a sip of his coffee.

“Right.” I sigh before taking a deep breath. “I worked my usual shift at DD’s last night, and as usual, I started my walk home.”

“Why don’t you have a car?” Matteo cuts in.

A car in the city? In this economy?

“Do you know how much it costs to have a car in the city? And besides, I live within walking distance of everything I need.” I pause to shoot him a glare for interrupting. “As I was saying, I was walking home from work when I started to feel like someone was watching me. At first, I didn’t see anyone, but the longer I walked, the more intense that feeling became. Then finally, when I looked back, I saw him.”

“Him?”

“Yes. Once I realized he was following me, I started running, and he gave chase. I made it to my building in time to get away from him, but not before I heard him say, “Fucking bitch.” It was for sure a male voice.”

Matteo is silent for a moment before responding, “And you think I sent this man to…put you in a box?” I don’t miss the slight warning in his tone.

“Well, I didn’t send him.” I throw my hands up in the air. “What do you expect me to think? You broke into my place after I literally saved your life, didn’t give me a name, told me not to talk to the cops. I mean, honestly.” I shake my head. This man is unreal.

“I don’t harm women,” Matteo says as if I insulted him, his tone leaving no room for argument. I can see in his eyes that he’s telling the truth.

“I didn’t mean to insult you. I just don’t know why else this could have happened.”

“You don’t think some sick fuck you waited on waited for you to finish your shift and follow you home? You’re a beautiful woman.”

I snort. “Please. I work in a biker bar. There are club girls hanging around constantly. Only a few are a little worn out; the rest I don’t even hold a candle to. If he wanted someone, all he would have had to do was slap one on the ass. So you see? No reason to wait for me.”

“Yes, I think I’m starting to see.” There’s a glint in his eyes that I can’t quite place. “I’ll take care of it. If you need anything else, you know how to contact me.” Matteo stands, eyes never leaving me. “Thank you for having coffee with me, bella.” And with that parting goodbye, he leaves, his coffee basically untouched.

I hate that my inner walls just clenched again. I make a mental note to Google what that name means when I get home. His accent alone is enough to make me do very questionable things with no questions asked.

“Excuse me,” a voice sounds from my right. Looking over, I realize it’s the same eyebrow-wagging lady from earlier. “I hope you don’t mind me butting my two cents in, but you go get ‘em tiger. That man has the tightest ass I’ve seen in 73 years,” she says, wagging her eyebrows again as she throws her cup away.

I can’t help but laugh because, honestly, what the fuck has my life come to?

Chapter

Ten

MATTEO

Iknew it wouldn’t be long before Wren blew up my phone. I said I’d take care of it, and I’m a man of my word. I should have known she was going to eventually realize that I never specified exactly how I was going to take care of it.

Wren: What did you mean earlier when you said you were going to take care of it?

Me: Exactly that.

Wren: Are you fucking kidding me?

Me: Did it sound like I was joking?

Wren: This isn’t over.