Page 44 of His to Honor

“American.”

His lips twist. It’s more of a sneer than a smile and unease twists down my spine.

“Dance with me.”

“Sorry, I can’t.”

“You want to get out of here, then?”

I blink in surprise. This guy has no finesse. He’s jumped straight from offering a dance to trying to get me to leave the club with him.

I grimace apologetically. “I think you might be a little young for me.”

“Come on. We can have fun,” he insists. He holds a hand out to me. “I’m Adamo.”

I shake my head. “Sorry, Adamo, you need to find a girl your own age.”

“I had a girl. I lost her.”

He looks so sad I can’t help reaching out to comfort him. I curl my hand around his cheek. “I’m sorry, but…”

Before I can finish my sentence, a large, heavyset man grabs Adamo.

“Leave him alone,” I shout. “He didn’t do anything.”

A hand clamps down on my shoulder and I’m spun around to face Damiano. His face is stern. There’s no disguising the fact he’s a vicious mob boss when his eyes display such cold fury.

“Come with me, Giulia.”

Grabbing my arm, he drags me toward the exit, bumping people out of the way as we cross the room.

“Damiano!” I protest. “What the hell’s going on?”

He shoves me toward one of the muscular brutes who accompanied us to the club. “Take her home.”

The bodyguard nods and waves his hand toward the stairs, gesturing for me to walk ahead of him. There’s no point in resisting. I allow the guard to shepherd me downstairs and out onto the sidewalk where a black SUV is waiting for me. I get into the back seat and slide over when it becomes clear the guard will be joining me. As we drive off, I look over my shoulder.

“What about Rosalia and Carlotta?”

“Your friends will be quite safe,” the bodyguard assures me. “Now fasten your seatbelt, please.”

Huffing, I draw the belt across my body and clip it into place. I have no idea what the hell just happened, but I’m betting it has something to do with Matteo. So much for him being relaxed about me having a night out with the girls. If he thinks I’m going to put up with being hauled out of a club just because a man spoke to me, he’s in for a shock.

CHAPTER 14

Matteo

Until now I didn’t realize just how much Giulia’s presence has soothed me. In the couple of days she’s been here, I’ve felt more relaxed. My guilt over Sofia Montalbano’s death has subsided. I still feel terrible about it, of course, but I now accept it was a terrible accident. The only people to blame are the Rossis. They’re the ones who brought violence to the quiet streets of Cetona. They had no reason to come after me, other than to vent their displeasure at the Volantes taking control of the north of Italy. The Rossis could have fallen into line and accepted Damiano’s rule, but they rebelled. They’ve paid a heavy price for their mistake. We’ve all but wiped them from the face of the earth.

I set aside the pasta salad I was eating but not really enjoying and wander through to the living room. Without Giulia in the house I’m restless, untethered. She’s only been out for a couple of hours, but I miss her. It was a mistake to let her go tonight. I thought I could be a normal boyfriend, that I could relinquish control. It turns out it’s not that easy. Though I tell myselfDamiano can be trusted to keep her safe, I’m not convinced he’ll do as good a job as I would. He doesn’t have the same investment in her wellbeing.

The temptation to jump in my car and head to the club so I can watch Giulia personally is strong, but I don’t give in to it. Giulia would be pissed if I interrupted her girls’ night and I don’t want her to think I’m unable to trust her. Because I do have absolute faith in her not to cheat. If a man flirts with her, she’ll turn him down flat. She’s not the type to lead anyone on. I just have to hope if she comes up against someone who won’t take no for an answer that Damiano or his men will step in.

Grabbing a bottle of Scotch from the cabinet in the corner of the room, I pour myself a glass and head for my bedroom. I’ll watch a movie until Giulia gets home. Then I’ll fuck her so thoroughly she won’t want to leave the house without me again.

As I reach the top of the stairs, my cellphone buzzes. I take it out of my pocket and check who’s calling. It’s Alessandro. He’s the only one of my older brothers who hasn’t hassled me about getting my ass back to New York. While Antonio and Leo have been persistent in their demands, Alessandro has left me in peace. Though I suspect he might have been pressured into calling me by Antonio, I accept the call.

“Hey, Sandro.”

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