Page 84 of Gilded Princess

My words from the family meeting flash across my mind, and I know I need to fill Leo in. But it’s going to have to wait until we’re all settled. The itchy feeling of foreboding still crawls along my skin, and the longer I’m away from Madison, the worse it gets.

“I’ll be fine. No stops anywhere else, yeah? And use the back exit. I’ll see you guys soon.”

They both wave me away as I leave the apartment, jogging down the hallway, and stepping on the elevator right away.

Exhaling a breath, I prepare to grovel.

* * *

Maddie

“I really don’t need a car. I’ll be just fine in a cab.”

“I’m sorry, miss, but I already called the car. It should be here any moment now. They ran into a bit of traffic, you know how driving around the city can be,” the doorman says. He’s an older gentleman with kind eyes, but right now, he’s getting on my last nerve.

I don’t want to spend another second here. The need to move, to put distance between me and whatever the hell just happened is riding me hard.

I look over my shoulder for the twentieth time, expecting to see Leo’s shaggy brown hair, but the lobby remains empty. Sighing, I look out at the street through the glass, mentally hurrying the car up.

Finally, a black town car pulls up to the curb and idles. It must be for me. I adjust my purse across my chest and push open the door, letting the thick summer air in.

“Thank you, Will. I appreciate it.”

Looking over my shoulder, I spot the one person I didn’t want to see.

Matteo.

He’s all smiles as he pats the doorman, Will, on the shoulder, slipping him what looks like a twenty dollar bill. I don’t spare him another glance, just hustle to the car idling at the curb. I open the door and slide in, my thighs sticking to the leather seats a little. I reach over to pull the door closed when it gets caught on something.

“Slide over, Maddie.”

I don’t release my grip on the door handle or look at him when I say, “Get lost, Matteo. This is my car, and I’m not into ride-sharing today.”

“I need to talk to you.” His voice is low, the rich tenor of it melting some of my resolve. “Please, Cherry.”

With a huff, I release the door handle and scoot over to the other side. I cross my feet at the ankle, spread my skirt out to cover my legs, and stare out the window, pointedly ignoring him.

“Thank you,” he murmurs.

I don’t bother replying. What would I even say?

Matteo leans forward and gives the driver an address and he settles back into the seat. I feel his gaze on me, hot and heavy, but heartache roots me to the seat, away from him.

“I need you to come with me. There are things I need to tell you.”

“I’m listening,” I say, watching the colors fly by as the driver takes a corner too fast.

“Not here.” His voice is so low, I’m not sure if I imagined it or not. “Please, I need to talk to you.”

My anger swells and I cut him a glare over my shoulder. “What about what I need, hm?”

As if he can read me so well, his eyes soften and he nods. “Leo will be there. Dante, too.”

My shoulders fall a little, and I repeat the same words I said to him after the warehouse. “I’m tired, Matteo.”

He reaches over and drags his fingertips down the back of my hand with a featherlight touch. “I know, Cherry. All I’m asking for is ten minutes. Then, if you still want to leave, I’ll make sure you get home safely.”

I look from his hand on mine to his eyes and back again before I look out the window once more. “Alright.”

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