Page 70 of Cavaliere

The girl that causes tension in a friend group or breaks it up. It’s usually a me problem if we aren’t vibing anyway. I simply just remove myself from the situation, and everyone wins. There’s no need for others to be miserable when I’m honestly not going to want to talk to you again anyway.

But I’m starting to think Delaney is right. Rob’s behavior today was way out of character, even for him. His comments about me being ungrateful were out of line. I understand I’ve fought Matteo most of the way, but I didn’t like having my life basically taken away from me. He can’t expect me to follow every order like a dog.

Have I been ungrateful?

Once again, I flip the lock on the bedroom for peace of mind before I settle on the bed to watch TV. I decide it’s probably best to just hang out up here until Matteo or someone else comes back to the house.

I must have drifted off without realizing it because the sound of the door handle jingling jerks me awake. My whole body is frozen as my eyes are locked on the moving handle. My mind sends my body back into flight mode, making me feel the same way I did that night months ago.

Quickly scanning the room for anything I can use as a weapon, I come up blank. There’s nothing unless I want to chuck some shoes or a remote at their head. The door handle jingles again, except this time, it sounds like whoever it is is leaning their body into it.

My breathing picks up as the panic starts to set in. I’m like a sitting duck in this room. What if whoever it is breaks the door down?

What if it’s Rob?

Oh god.

If this is how I die, I’m going to come back from the dead and haunt the ever-loving fuck out of Matteo for ripping me out of my bubble and placing me in this house that’s way too big for one person only to be killed by Rob. Fucking Rob.

“Wren?” My body instantly relaxes at the sound of his voice. He jiggles the handle harder. “Wren? Are you in there? Why is the door locked?”

Jumping off the bed, I quickly run over to the door, pausing for a second to gather myself. I don’t want him to see me like this. Flipping the lock, I open the door.

“Hi.”

Matteo’s face is full of concern as he scans me over. “You going to let me in?”

Oh.

I guess I am blocking the entrance. Stepping back, I walk back to the bed as Matteo enters and shuts the door behind him.

“What’s going on?” Matteo asks as he sits down next to me on the bed.

“Nothing. I was just relaxing and watching some TV.” I can’t stop my fingers from nervously rubbing together.

“Why was the door locked?” His assessing eyes haven’t left my face.

I don’t really know how to start this conversation, so I just shrug my shoulders and look away. How do you tell someone their right-hand man is a grade-A asshole who makes you uncomfortable?

“Wren.” Matteo’s commanding tone brings my attention back to his face. “What aren’t you telling me?”

Alright, I’m just going to clear the air. The worst that can happen is he doesn’t believe me. Which will probably break my heart a little, but that’s okay. She’s a bad bitch too, and bad bitches only cry for a night and pick themselves up like nothing happened. I’ll be okay.

“Did something happen with Rob?” He presses, taking my silence as me not wanting to respond. “He was the only one here with you today, and I know you didn’t leave.”

A long groan escapes me as I fall back onto the bed, exasperated with this conversation already. “I don’t want to be this person.”

“What person?” Matteo places his hand on my thigh, kneading in small circles.

“The person that causes issues in other relationships.” Why does this have to be so difficult?

“I can promise that you will never cause an issue in other relationships. I’m always on your side. If one of my men did something to upset you, I want to know about it so I can deal with it accordingly.” I don’t say anything as I stare up at him, blinking. “Wren,” he growls, squeezing my thigh. He’s growing impatient.

“I’m sure you know Delaney came by today,” I start off.

Matteo nods his head. “I saw her on the camera. Did you two have fun?”

“Yeah… once we got past Rob,” I finally get out.