Page 36 of Twisted Knight

Finally, Jude gave him a little nod. “Sto bene. La scuola è un po 'troppo facile per me. Ma almeno ho gli scacchi.”

Matteo laughed and nodded, visibly impressed.

I was impressed too. Jude was not born into our world, and yet his Italian was almost perfect. It was also strange how he could talk so freely about school and chess with the boss of the bosses, and what was even stranger was that Matteo liked the kid.

“Was there anything you needed?” I asked him, trying to redirect his attention to me. I really didn’t like him near anyone I cared about.

“Just wanted to see how things were going. You know, the babies and all. It will be good to have a Montanari heir for the famiglia.”

He glanced at India’s face, who didn’t look surprised, and a glint lit his cold blue eyes. He now knew that she knew. Calculating bastard.

“Makes sense.” No, it didn’t. “I’ll text you if you want; you don’t have to wait here.”

His nostrils flared as his jaw muscle budged. He did not like my answer.

“È successo qualcosa. Dobbiamo andare. Adesso,” he ordered in Italian, his voice much colder now; he was letting go of pretenses.

India frowned, looking at him. She didn’t have to understand Italian to know what he said wasn’t pleasant.

What could be so important for him to need me to follow him now?

I turned to India, really conflicted. I wanted to be there with them. I wanted to share that moment with my family, but I also knew that saying no to Matteo Genovese would have consequences not only on me but on Luca as well.

India smiled sweetly at me and rested her hand on my thigh. “You do what you need to,” she said softly, patting my thigh. “I’ll explain you had to go. They’ll understand.”

Was it possible to fall in love at once? Because right now as I felt her warm hand on my leg and looked in her mesmerizing green eyes, I felt like I was falling from a cliff.

“Okay, now, let’s go.”

I blinked, somehow brought back to the now by Matteo’s unwelcome voice.

I shot up from my chair, still a little startled by the wave of feelings that had engulfed me all at once.

“Just—” I started and stopped, looking at the stunning woman in front of me like a loon.

She smiled. “I’ll text you as soon as I have news.”

I gave her a sharp nod before following Matteo down the corridor.

“I truly hope it’s important,” I muttered as the elevator closed on us.

He threw me a sideways look. “Do you really think I would have pulled you away for something that would not be crucial?”

Of course I did!Matteo never cared about anything other than what was in his own interest. “Like you care.”

He shrugged. “I really don’t, but you do.”

That startled me and I almost missed a step as we exited the elevator. There was no way Matteo Genovese cared about what I thought or wanted. He was much too selfish and frankly messed up for that. He was playing with my mind; there was no other way.

I snorted. “Oh yeah, because what I think or feel matters now?”

He sighed with exasperation. “No, not really but I need you right now, and I need you receptive and on my side, and the best way to do this is to show you a modicum of consideration—or so I have been told.”

I couldn’t help but let out a little chuckle. That made so much more sense.

“So, the girl…” He trailed off as we sat in his car.

I didn’t even realize I let out a growl until he threw me a surprised look before starting the engine.

---