Page 71 of Gilded Princess

Then I hear it. My name.

My ears prick when Matteo says my name in that deep baritone of his. It’s like it’s tied to those memories from years ago, and it brings me back to those good times. They say you never forget your first love, and I can attest that it’s true for me.

I pause inside the hallway, so only the barest hint of me is visible. But fate’s on my side today, because Leo, Matteo, and Dante are standing around the island, absorbed in a conversation. None of them are facing me, and that almost makes it too easy.

I feel a little guilty about listening to their conversation, but then Leo opens his mouth, and my guilt flees.

“Oh, so you get to fuck her but I have to stay away?” Leo throws his hands in the air, anger rolling off of him in droves.

“Yeah, that’s exactly right, little brother, so back the fuck off,” Matteo growls without taking his concentration from the espresso machine.

“I’m so sick and fucking tired of listening to you tell me what to do all the time. I always do what you ask, but not this. I won’t do it.”

“Is that right?” Matteo goads, nodding his head.

I can see the fury building inside him, and it only proves to pour gasoline on my indignation. Who are they to tell me who I can and can’t have sex with? And why are they all sitting here and talking about me like I’m not right down the hall? It’s like they don’t care if I walk in on this little pissing contest.

“Yeah, that’s right. I’m tired of always taking your orders. How about you listen to me now, yeah, old man?”

“Watch it. I’m only three fucking years older than you,” Matteo interrupts with a growl.

Leo ignores him and continues, “How about you stay the fuck away from her, yeah? Trust me, brother, I take very good care of her. But you already got a front-row seat for that, yeah?” The implication is there in every word and the smug smile on Leo’s face. I fight my knee-jerk instinct to feel shameful about it, and instead, wrap it around me with pride. I hold on to my empowerment with a vise grip.

Like a train wreck I can’t look away from, I watch in perverse fascination as Matteo’s face totally shuts down and his body goes still.

“The fuck you say to me?” His voice is low, and I think that only makes it scarier.

Dante wades in with his arms raised in the universal calm down gesture. “Alright, c’mon, guys. Let’s remember we’re a fucking family, and it’s the twenty-first century, Maddie can fuck whomever she wants.”

Three things happen at the same time: Dante realizes his wording, Leo grins in satisfaction, and Matteo loses all semblance of control.

“The fuck you just say? Don’t think I don’t know what the fuck you were doing with her, Dante.” Matteo glares at his best friend.

Dante, for all his bravado, doesn’t even blink in the face of Matteo’s ire. His chest puffs out, his muscles looking impossibly bigger, and he tips his chin up, almost like he’s daring Matteo.

I know I need to step in, but I’m just not sure how it’s all going to play out. I take a deep breath and push off the wall in the hallway, stepping out of the shadows and into the bright lights of the kitchen.

“Stop.”

One word and all three heads whip toward me. The sense of power infuses my veins, but I easily dismiss it. I didn’t step in here for that, even if it is a nice ego boost. I did it because the thought of the three of them fighting—really fighting—over me makes me sick to my stomach.

I’m human and I’m an avid romance reader, so of course, I want them to fight a little bit. But not to the level I know they’re heading for.

I lick my lips and look each of them in the eye. “I’m not a prize to be won.”

“Sure you’re not, Jasmine,” Leo says, crossing his arms and fighting a smile.

I roll my eyes and snap my fingers. “Focus, you Disney prince. I’m serious though. None of you have a say in what I do or who I do it with.” I hold up my hand when Matteo’s mouth opens. I can see his rebuttal written in his stiff posture. “I’m the only one who has a say in what I do with my body and who I share it with. That being said, I don’t want to disrespect you in your home, so I think it’s time for me to head back to mine.”

A chorus of protests meets my declaration, but I hold up a hand, palm out, to stay their opinions.

I pause to wet my lips and smooth my dress out, taking a moment to gather my thoughts—and courage. I look at each of them from underneath my lashes. “I don’t know how to go about this exactly, so I’m just going to rip the Band-Aid off. I’m attracted to each of you . . . in spite of our history,” I murmur the last few words, narrowing my eyes on Matteo. “And I know it’s unconventional and maybe unfair of me to ask, not when I’m basically telling you I’m . . . exploring—”

Leo barks out a cough to cover up his laugh. I cut him a glare and he raises his eyebrows in the very gesture of innocence.

“Anyway, I know it’s not fair of me, but I’m asking it anyway. To not see anyone else, I mean, if you’re seeing me. And if you’ve changed your mind, then okay.” I twist my fingers as I look between Dante and Leo as I deliver my terms—that’s exactly what they feel like. I idly wonder if Lainey ever had to lay it out like this . . . I should definitely call her and pick her brain on how exactly to avoid the Rossi and Esposito landmines.

And looking at Matteo now—his posture rigid, his jaw clenched, he looks like he’s one wrong word away from exploding. I sometimes wonder what he would be like if he ever eased up on his control.

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