Page 67 of Cavaliere

Chapter

Forty-One

WREN

Iwoke up the next morning to an empty bed.

The spot next to me that Matteo didn’t move from all night is cold. The only evidence that he was even here in the first place is the soft indent that his head left on his pillow.

Surprisingly, I’m not disappointed this time. If I’m being honest, I need a minute to get my head together. Last night was a lot. Emotions were at an all-time high, but I think we needed it. I never meant to scare Matteo. I just wanted my fucking stuff. He thinks that I don’t understand the threat that’s out there, but I do. With the exception of last night, the first thing I see when my head hits the pillow and my eyes close is that man attacking me.

Matteo seems to be the only thing that can fully distract me from it. I know this is a normal part of recovering. I went through something traumatic. I didn’t expect to get over it overnight, but I also didn’t expect to relive it almost every night.

I’ve noticed the nights I sleep wrapped up in Matteo’s arms, the nightmares don’t come. I wasn’t lying when I said he’s like a knight. He’s ready for a battle that he doesn’t even know he’s fighting. It’s something that I’ll forever be grateful for, no matter how much his bossy, overbearing, stubborn ass pisses me off because, at the end of the day, under all of that anger and hard exterior, there’s a big softie with an even bigger heart. There’s a man who is one hundred percent okay just cuddling in bed watching cheesy romcom movies. A man who would walk through the flames of hell just to find me.

A yawn escapes me as I stretch my arms above my head. The ache between my legs is a happy reminder of last night's events. Rolling onto my side, I wince. The aftermath of Matteo’s rough grip is making itself known with a dull ache. I don’t mind though. The memory of my inner walls clenching him tight every time he slapped my ass or roughly gripped my hips is still fresh in my mind. The corner of my mouth tips up slowly with a soft smile at those thoughts.

I need to get up and actually do something with my life today. Like call Delaney and figure out what the hell she really has planned for my birthday while Matteo is out and Rob isn’t listening in on everything little thing I say or do. Up until last night, I was convinced that the man was some type of cyborg with his supersonic hearing. I also need to figure out what Matteo actually did with my apartment, and all of my stuff. I’m hoping he can be at least semi-reasonable and understand that we probably shouldn’t just jump into living together after all of this huge mess is over.

I let out a long sigh as I throw the duvet off of me and head into the bathroom to start my day. My whole body aches, but it’s a good ache. I turn the shower handle all the way to the left on the hottest setting. As I wait for the steam to fill the bathroom, I lift Matteo’s baggy T-shirt over my head, letting it fall to the floor in a puddle by my feet.

My eyes look happy still as I keep my eyes on the mirror but angle my body so I have a full view of my ass in the vanity mirror. A deep purple bruise in the shape of a large hand is forming on my left cheek. It’s the same spot Matteo slapped over and over again as I rode him. I angle my body so I can see the edge of my hip. The same color of bruises forms along the bone, except these ones are in the shape of Matteo’s fingers. Doing a half turn, the other side of my hip mirrors the other one. My stomach flutters at seeing his mark on me. It looks good. I looked owned.

“I wonder…” I mumble to my reflection before dashing out of the bathroom to grab my phone off of the nightstand, shower forgotten. I quickly scroll until I find Delaney’s name, calling her immediately on speaker phone. “Come on, come on. This slut is always on the phone.”

I make my way back into the bathroom to study the marks again as I listen to it ring. Just as I thought this bitch was about to send me to voicemail, she picks up. “It’s about time your ass got out of bed.”

“Bitch, shut up.” I smirk. “I know what I want to do for my birthday, but I need you to come over and trace something on my hips in Sharpie. I would do it, but I want it to be precise.”

Delaney doesn’t miss a beat. “I’m sorry you want me to do what? Are you talking to me in the shower again?”

“I’m not in it this time!” I exclaim. “It’s just on because I was about to get in.” Although now that I think about it, I do always tend to call or voice message her when I’m in the shower.

“I swear that’s the only time you call me. What am I tracing on your ass?” Delaney asks. “Oh my god! Tell me you don’t think you caught something. I’ll be right over.”

She doesn’t even give me the chance to tell her where Matteo’s place even is and that I absolutely did not catch anything on my ass before she hangs up.

I love that crazy bitch.

Thirty minutes later, the loud doorbell echoing throughout the house has me running down the stairs. I rush to the door before Rob can answer, heaving the heavy door, and I open it to see Delaney standing there.

“How did you even know where this place was?” I ask in greeting as Delaney plows in.

Delaney turns and looks at me like I’m stupid. “Everyone knows where Matteo Adduci lives, bitch. Everyone. It’s not my fault you’ve been living under a fucking rock.”

“That mouth is going to get you into trouble,” Rob sounds from behind me, making me whip around. “Who are you?”

I try my best to keep my tone from sounding as annoyed as I feel. I really did. “Rob, this is Delaney. Delaney, this is Rob. You might recognize each other from that night at DD’s.” I flick my hand out in Rob’s direction.

“Ah, you’re the girl that was screaming across the bar. Classy.” Rob’s guarded eyes don’t leave Delaney. I can see them assessing her. Not quite sure what to think. “Does the boss know she’s here?”

My nose scrunches up at the accusation in his tone. “I wasn’t aware I needed permission.”

“I don’t want to be babysitting two ungrateful women.” Rob sneers.

“Excuse me?” Delaney says at the same time I ask, “How the fuck are we ungrateful?”

I always knew Rob was a dick, but this is a new level.