Page 37 of Stolen Queen

“So, what happens now?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know. I won't let you go back to your father. And I certainly won't let you be shipped off to that bastard in New York. But your being here, that’s problematic. Your father will kill me. Elio will likely make me send you back."

I shudder at the thought of returning to my father and being sent to New York to marry a stranger. A stranger with a terrible reputation.

“For now, you need to stay here, hidden.” His gaze is intense, his words more a command than a statement. “Until I figure this out, this needs to be our secret.”

I understand why Matteo has taken me. I’m even grateful to a certain extent. But it’s clear to me that my situation hasn’t really changed. I’m still at the mercy of a man’s decisions about my life.

“What about what I want?”

He tenses. "What do you want?”

“I… I want freedom. I want to make my own decisions. I want to experience life. I want to travel, to meet new people, to figure out who I am."

Matteo leans forward, his gaze never leaving mine. "What if I told you I could give you that?"

My heart skips a beat. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, I could show you a different life. One where you make your own choices."

A flicker of hope ignites within me.

Matteo reaches out, his hand covering mine again on the table. “I can show you just how good life can be, if you’ll let me.”

14

MATTEO

There is something seriously wrong with me. I’ve never held my breath waiting for a reply from a woman before. I never gave a shit. If she wanted me, great, we’d fuck and move on. If not, that was fine too. There are plenty of other women who’d be interested.

But this isn’t just about fucking. It feels like the weight of the world is on me. That Ava, only just barely a woman, is the answer to the question about the purpose of my life.

Not liking how long it’s taking for her to respond, I lean in, offering her a choice. "Stay with me, Ava. You don't have to go back to your father or marry that old bastard in New York. I can give you the freedom you're looking for."

The words come out with more intensity than I intend, but I can't help it. I've never wanted anything—or anyone—as badly as I want her. And not just in my bed, though I'd be lying if I said that wasn't part of it. I want to show her the world she's been denied. I want to see her eyes light up when she experiences new things.

"What do you mean?" she asks, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she doesn’t quite believe what I’m saying.

I squeeze her hand, like the gesture will somehow help her understand. "I mean exactly what I said. Stay here with me. Let me show you what life can really be like. No arranged marriages. No expectations. Just you living life on your own terms."

I'm used to getting what I want, but this… this is different. For the first time in my life, I actually care about the outcome.

"But what about my family? My father?"

"I'll handle them.” I don’t know how. The situation hasn’t changed. All I know is that if she chooses me, I’ll move heaven and earth to make her happy. “All you have to do is say you’ll be mine.”

Her eyes light with fire, and it excites me. “What do you mean by 'being yours'? I don't want to trade one cage for another."

Her words catch me off guard, but I keep my expression casual. I've got to play this carefully. I don't want to scare her off when I'm so close to winning her over.

"It means whatever you want it to mean, Princess," I say with a shrug, deliberately keeping my answer vague. "I'm offering you freedom, not another cage."

Ava's eyes narrow. "I'm not looking to belong to anyone. Not my father, not some old Don in New York, and not you either."

I feel a surge of admiration for her backbone even as I’m irked that she’s not grabbing hold of what I’m offering.

I smirk. "Is that so?" I lean back in my chair, studying her.

---