Page 24 of Doll Face

“My office. One hour.”

The call ended as abruptly as it started, and Matteo blew out a breath and tossed his cell onto the bed next to him. What he really didn’t want first thing in the morning was a meeting with his father. He flopped onto his back and stared at the ceiling.

After their intimacy, he had wanted her to spend the night, but he didn’t want her to feel too much pressure. When he finally claimed her innocence, he wanted to make sure she was ready. So, reluctantly, he had driven her back to her shitty apartment, mentally promising himself he was going to move her in with him as soon as he could.

Rising, he headed into the shower. Ten minutes later, he reentered his bedroom and headed into his walk-in closet. He picked out a dark grey suit, a burgundy shirt, and a black tie. He punched in the code to where he kept his weapons and slid a nine-millimeter Glock into the holster under his jacket.

As he headed downstairs, buttoning his cuffs, Rocco walked into his apartment.

“There you are,” Rocco said.

“Here I am,” he agreed. “I’ve been summoned.”

“Are we gonna stop for coffee?” Rocco asked slyly, glancing at him from the corner of his eye.

“Of course, we’re stopping for coffee. We’re not heathens.”

It took about twenty minutes to get to Macy’s shop, but she wasn’t behind the counter. Her boss stood there, and it was obvious she knew exactly who he was.

“S-She’s in the bathroom,” the woman stuttered, obviously scared if her wide-eyed stare was anything to go by.

Matteo narrowed his gaze on her. “I take it you didn’t tell her who I am.”

“No, I, ah, I didn’t. I wanted to…” Her voice faded.

“And you won’t,” he said. “Understood?”

She opened her mouth to say something else, but under his cold stare, all she did was nod. “Please don’t hurt her. She’s a good person.”

“I know,” he replied. “I’m not going to harm her. But I have no trouble hurting anyone who thinks it’s in her best interest that she knows who I am.”

Her boss blanched. At that moment, Macy walked from the back and gave him the biggest smile as she spotted him. A beautiful blush highlighted her cheekbones.

“Have you ordered yet?” she asked.

“No, I just got here.”

She flickered her gaze past him. “Coffee and latte?”

He nodded. Her boss didn’t leave, moving to get Rocco’s favorite latte made while Macy poured a cup for him.

“You work tonight?” he asked her.

“Yeah.”

“Can I pick you up when you get off?”

“Um, sure. You don’t mind?”

“Not at all.”

He laid down another hundred-dollar bill, grabbed his two drinks, and winked at her, leaving before she could protest the tip. He gave a polite nod to her boss, silently giving her another warning, before exiting. Matteo held the latte out to Rocco.

“Thanks,” he said. “Ready for your dad?”

“I’m never ready for him.”

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