Page 104 of Matteo

Shaking his head, he opens his mouth to argue.

I cut him off. I’m done with this fucker. “Go for it. You interrupted the lawyer, warning you that if you say a word, the NDA you signed automatically gives me five million dollars. And lawyer’s fees for suing your ass. Cross me, and I can tie you up in a courtroom and bury your ass in lawyer’s fees. You’ll never recover.”

He's finally getting it. Hanging his head, he doesn’t say a word.

Exactly. I turn around to leave him to stew in his stupidity.

“Asshole. Don’t walk away from me. You think you’re better than me? Hey!”

The fist comes where I know it will, and I let it connect. I want him to leave a bruise—the better to send his ass away for a very long time. There are men recording us from two different views.

Now that he got his hit in, it’s my turn. I send my right fist into his soft middle. Then I give into the burning need to leave a mark on him and send my left fist into his face, aiming for his cheek. Hopefully, my fist doesn’t pay the price for hitting all bone.

He goes down, but I’m not done with this motherfucker. I send a kick to his stomach and watch blood fly from his mouth. Almost. Grabbing him by the front of his stained shirt, I pull him up.

“If you ever even say my name, Amy’s, or Layla’s again, I’ll bury you six feet under. I can make you disappear, and no one will go looking for you.” I send him back to the ground with another blow to his mouth.

The lights are flashing on top of the cruiser behind the vehicle Sean is driving. I nod at the cop talking to Sean. He tips his cap at me as I walk to my car.

In my own car, I sigh. Fuck, my hand hurts. I watch with satisfaction as the cop pulls him off the ground and cuffs him. His head is still swimming, and the cop has to practically carry him to the patrol car.

The moment I’m through the door, Amy’s eyes are on me. “Something is wrong.”

I shake my head. “Everything is right. Your ex thought he was going to get to you. That will never happen. He’ll never get close again to you or Layla. I promise you that.”

Her eyes widen as she moves to me, her arms going around my neck. “Are you okay?” She runs a finger over the bruise on my cheek. “I’m sorry.”

“I’m not. The bruise turns the charges he has on him up.”

She tightens her arms around my neck. “Thank you for loving me and Layla the way you do.”

“I’m the lucky one,” I assure her.

CHAPTER 31

Amy

It’s my wedding day, and the sun is shining brightly through the windows. Matteo is watching me with love glowing in his eyes.

“Good morning. Are you ready for today?”

I nod. “I can’t wait.”

Leaning down he presses a kiss to my cheek. “Me either. I had no idea when I walked into the exam room my whole life was about to change. That was the best damn day of my life until you told me you loved me.”

“Thank you for loving me. Every day with you is better than the one before.”

His alarm goes off, pulling us apart. “If I kiss you, we’ll be late to our wedding. Come on. Hope and Carrie will be arriving soon to help you into your wedding dress.”

“Oh my gosh, your dress is so pretty. You look like a princess. Now I’m sad I had kind of a plain dress for mine.” Hope sighs.

Blushing, I nod. It’s everything I hoped it would be with a big skirt, tight bodice in a creamy white satin and lace. And it’s so comfortable that I feel like I’m wearing a cloud. “I can’t believe she was able to finish it on time, and it fits so perfectly.”

Carrie adds another bobby pin to my hair to keep the long lace-edged veil in place. “Matteo is going to lose it when he sees you. I wonder if he’ll cry.”

I chose not to have a maid of honor or bridesmaids since I only had Elizabeth, Carrie, and Hope. It felt easier to keep it simple with me and Matteo only. To Matteo’s disappointment, I didn’t have anyone walking me down the aisle. But I preferred it. I’m the one who decided to give myself to Matteo.

Carrie isn’t wrong. When Matteo sees me, he loses it for a moment and takes a step toward me before he remembers and stops. He doesn’t cry, but I do when I see the love shining in his eyes.

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