Page 52 of Weaponized

We talk over options for the next hour. While we don’t have anything firm, Rowan promises to come back later to go over some ideas before he kisses the top of my head and lets himself out.

I walk into my tiny laundry room to look for my favorite leggings and hear him knock on my door again. I stalk to my front door and fling it open. I’m about to ask my brother what he forgot when I encounter Matteo Larozzi leaning against my door frame.

“Expecting someone else?” he asks. My surprise must be written all over my face.

“Did you just pass my brother?” I look over his shoulder. I’m not sure how they didn’t run into each other in my hallway.

“I saw him pulling out of the parking lot.”

Ah. Rowan mustn’t have noticed Matteo or he would have turned around.

“You can call him back if it makes you more comfortable.”

I’m not sure why Matteo would offer that. Something about his demeanor is off. I step out of his way and motion to my living area. “Please, come in.”

He strides just inside my entryway and looks around. “Nice place.”

I nod to the oversized sofa. “Have a seat. Can I get you anything to drink?”

“I’m good.” He toes off his shoes and then makes his way into my living room.

I don’t know why it’s so weird having him in my home. He is Luca’s brother. His best friend. And, Luca is here all the time. He sleeps here more often than not, even has space in my walk-in closet with a few drawers and hangers. His toothbrush sits next to mine. His proclaimed “not girly” soap is in my shower. So, seeing his brother in my space shouldn’t be nearly as odd as it is.

I position myself on the big chair next to him, moving a few pillows out of the way.

He sighs. “Luca said you have a thing for pillows.” I smile as Matteo continues to take in his surroundings. His eyes stop for a minute on the extra-large zip-up hoodie laying across my ottoman. Luca’s. I love it. It smells like him and engulfs me every time I put it on.Instant comfort.

“You have my brother smitten,” he tells me flatly. His eyes narrow on my face. I don’t like his tone.

“He isn’tsmitten,” I respond, my words clipped. “He is in love.”

“Yes. But, are you? Because if this is some game, Gráinne, Iwillkill you. Don’t really care that you’re a girl or an O’Toole.”

I’ve never seen this side of Matteo. He looks bigger somehow, chest puffed out, and yet I don’t feel threatened. I’m angry. I’m not sure what’s happened or why he’s questioning me now, but screw him.

“Is that all?” My tone is snarky.

“This isn’t a game,” he repeats. “If you were sent here to find a husband, congratulations. I have no doubt you’ll succeed. But, we both know Luca deserves better than being dicked around while you make up your mind trying to figure out what will make daddy most happy.”

I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach. All the wind is knocked out of my lungs. I don’t answer him for what seems like an eternity. He continues to glare at me.

“I agree with you. He does deserve better.” My voice is quiet. “And, you’repartiallyright. I was absolutely sent here to find a husband. I was even given a few suitable options.Youwere at the top of the list.”

Matteo’s head rears back, shocked. He can’t believe I’m telling him this. Yeah, me neither. I didn’t exactly plan on this conversation. However, if he’s so quick to question my devotion to Luca, I need to fix that. I want him to understand I am not his enemy. I know this is a calculated risk, but I’m banking on Matteo not wanting to hurt his brother. On my ability to convince him of my sincere intentions.A dose of truth worked with Victor. Let’s hope his son can also be persuaded. “I didn’t wantanyof it. But obeying my father is not optional, so I thought if I could beseenwith those on his precious list of suitable husbands, it would be enough. It wouldlooklike I was trying, which is all I planned to do. Because I sure as hell wasn’t going to climb onto your overused dick.”

Now I’ve really stunned him. His mouth is literally open. He goes to say something. Stops. Then he bursts out laughing, “Did you seriously just say I have anoverused dick?”

So, that’s what he took from everything I just said? I shrug. “Sorry.” We both know I’m not.

“Was Luca on your list?” he asks me, smile fading.

“He was,” I admit. “And, you may not believe this, but he scared the crap out of me. I wasn’t initially interested in spending time with him. My relationship with Luca hasnothingto do with the list.” That’s true. Now.

He takes this in, and is back to glowering at me. “Was Theo Nicopolis also on this list of your father’s?”

I don’t know how he knows this, but I don’t imagine I’ll get far in lying. “You, Theo, Liam McGuiness, and Luca.”

He is quiet. Finally, he asks, “Is that why you gave your phone number to Theo? Because of the list?”

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