Page 6 of Bones of Revenge and Reckoning

She closes the door softly behind her, and I’m left alone in my room, crying.

Chapter 2

Renata

Sixteen-years-old

“Are you sure nobody’s home?” Matteo clutches my hand tighter as he leads me through the courtyard, only the night stars lighting our way.

He smirks at me and lifts my hand to kiss it. “You’re safe with me, Rennie.”

“That isn’t what I asked, Matt.”

Matteo sighs and pins me with a cautious glare.

“My father and Uncle Aldo are in the city on business. Clifford is out fucking around; only staff are on the grounds, so you can relax.”

It’s a brazen move, coming onto Mancini territory, but it’s the only way Matteo and I can spend time together. If my parents find out I’m seeing him, I’ll be in so much trouble. Mamma will seriously send me away. The Mancinis are our enemies.

Or rather, we are theirs.

My family did some dire shit to them back in the day in Italy, allegedly. It is ironic that both our families moved to Britain in an attempt to build the more legitimate sides of our businesses. It means we no longer settle our fights with guns and knives, but in boardrooms, with political donations and other forms of supposedly legal power.

Still, we avoid each other like they’re a disease. We don’t speak. We never attend the same social events. We simply do not mix. Except Matteo Mancini is the most gorgeous boy I’ve ever seen. He’s heartbreak wrapped in fine clothes and irresistible charm, with a devilish smile that will have any girl weak in the knees. I think I’m falling in love with him.

Matteo leads me inside and to the den. It’s where we hide away from the world, protecting each other from the wrath of our families and the onslaught of war that would come with our tryst being revealed. It’s a thrill of excitement to grasp the edge of danger, and that’s exactly what we’re doing by sneaking behind our families’ backs.

“Make yourself comfortable while I get us some snacks.”

He tosses his phone on the coffee table, then makes his way into the kitchen. I explore the room, always intrigued by the expensive trinkets on the bookshelves and gaudy gold-framed paintings that adorn the walls. A buzzing sound catches my attention, and I turn toward the coffee table where Matteo’s phone is illuminated. I pick it up and see “Frank Calling” flash across the screen, then set it down where he left it. I don’t recall him being friends with anyone named Frank, so it’s possibly an uncle or something. I peruse the room once more until I hear the microwave ding, then I return to the couch and get comfortable while I wait for Matteo. As he enters the room and places the popcorn and bottles of soda on the coffee table, his phone lights up again. He hurries to silent it before sitting beside me and tucking me close to his side.

“Didn’t you need to take that?” I ask curiously.

He shakes his head and mutters, “Nobody important.” Then he presses a kiss to my forehead, and I smile to myself.

He flicks on the TV and scrolls through a few movies before choosing one, then turns the volume down low so we can hear if anyone enters the house. I rest my head against his chest as the movie begins, completely uninterested in anything but Matteo.

He tilts my chin and brushes my hair out of my face; a mischievous smile alights his face as he stares at me, then his full lips descend on mine. He cradles my face as he kisses me, his touch so gentle. Heat blankets me as the kiss intensifies, and just like every other time we come together, it’s a fiery explosion of wanton lust. Matteo lifts me and places me on his lap, my legs framing his thighs. His hand fists the hair at my nape as he claims my mouth again, his hips bucking to grind against me.

“Rennie…” he mumbles against my lips as he rests his forehead against mine, and I breathe him in. I trail my hands up his chest and clutch the soft t-shirt in my grip, lost in the moment of being close to him.

He grips my ass and pulls me tighter against him, then he slips his hands under the hem of my shirt and slowly trails the pads of his fingertips down my sides. My back bows from the sensation, and he rests his face against my breasts.

“Fucking love your tits, Ren.”

I roll my eyes to myself because him and every other guy who’s laid eyes on me. Mamma was right about power, except she didn’t realize the power I’d one day possess would be the body I’d soon use as a weapon. Matteo doesn’t take too kindly when another guy lets his eyes linger too long, but he can’t act on his jealousy because it could put our secret at risk of being exploited. I’ve reasoned with him that we should out ourselves before it’s too late, but he fights me on it every time.

“Mine,” he growls as he nips at my collarbone, hiding the small love bites he leaves in his wake.

“Prove it,” I challenge, grinding my core against him. Matteo swats at my ass check, then rubs it gently to soothe the ache as he cuts a stern glare at me.

“No,” he denies.

“Your plan is hardly fair, Matteo.”

“Do you think I’m fond of the idea of waiting? I have fucking blue balls for days after I’ve seen you, Rennie.”

“Ouch…” I coo as I grip his hardened length through his jeans. “So this probably makes it worse?”

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