Page 58 of Cavaliere

He doesn’t say anything as he parks the car and kills the ignition. Neither one of us makes a move to get out of the car. Matteo lets out a long sigh before finally breaking the silence, “I’m man enough to admit when I’m wrong. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you what I was doing today, but I won’t apologize for making your life more safe.”

“More safe?” I ask, scrunching my face up as I feel my attitude leaking full force into my tone.

“Your place was a waiting death trap. Anyone could kick your door in, and they did.”

I don’t respond as I continue to stare at him. I hate that he’s right. It was way too easy for that man to kick my door in. Even though I feel out of place at Matteo’s, the one thing I do feel is safe. It’s the most unsettling feeling.

“Where’s my stuff?” I break the silence as I open my door and get out.

“It’s in the garage. I figured we could find spots for everything tomorrow.”

“This conversation isn’t over,” I say, dismissing him as I head into the house. I’ve had about all I can take from him tonight.

“Out of curiosity, why would you only slash three tires?”

“Because insurance won’t cover it,” I call over my shoulder.

Matteo’s deep laugh fills the garage. “Jesus Christ, you’re fucking crazy.”

The corner of my mouth slowly tips up as I make my way upstairs. Hell yeah, I’m fucking crazy. It’s in his best interest to remember that.

Chapter

Thirty-Seven

MATTEO

Ididn’t lie when I told Wren I had things to take care of this morning. Technically, I did. I just didn’t tell her that the thing I’m doing today is packing up her apartment to move everything into my place.

Our place.

“You want to take the furniture too?” Alessio asks with his nose scrunched up as he examines the puke-green sofa.

That infestation of a couch belongs on the curb, but that’s not what I find myself saying. “Just the couch. It has meaning.”

“A couch that looks like a rat would pop out and bite you in the ass while you're sitting on it has meaning?” Alessio asks in disbelief.

“The first time I remember seeing her, I was sitting on this couch after I broke in.”

“Ah, every love story should start with a good break-in,” Gio adds as he carries another box out of the apartment.

My top lip curls in disgust as I look around the dingy apartment. It’s a fucking shithole. The longer I stay here, the more pissed off I get. A girl like Wren shouldn’t be in a place like this. She tried to make it her home by putting her spin on it with little pops of Wren here and there. Wren deserves the world and not this thrifted shit. I tap my foot against the dining room chair leg, watching it move from the light hit. “This can definitely fucking go.”

“I swear to god, if I have to listen to that sick fuck below this place get off one more time, I’m going to bust his door down and cut it off,” Gio bitches as he comes back in.

“He’s been going at it since we got here. I don’t know how his dick is even still attached.” Alessio looks just as grossed out as Gio.

“Let’s finish this up and get the fuck out of here. I’m sick of listening to it, too. There isn’t much left. I want to talk to the owner on our way out.” I meant what I said a while ago about expanding. These people in this area seem like they need a little help. Plus, it’s the perfect opportunity for Enzo to prove that he’s ready to take on more responsibility.

“You ready to give Enzo his own crew?” Alessio asks as he goes to one end of the couch. “Grab the other end, Gio.”

“Yeah.” I nod. “It’s time he’s made capo.”

“Goddamn, give your meat a break, man!” Gio yells as he stomps his foot on the floor several times. “I need to get out of here before he ruins jacking off for me. I already know I’m not going to be able to do it for at least a week without hearing his weird ass noises.”

I can’t help but snort at Gio.

He’s not wrong. It’s fucking disgusting listening to that all day. Another reason why Wren should have never even been living here. “The couch is the last of it, so load that up and meet me back in the front office.” I pause in the doorway as I turn back to see Gio and Alessio struggling to get a good grip on the couch. “Don’t bust the pervs door down yet. We’ll deal with it once we run this place.”