Page 53 of Weaponized

“What?” I have no idea what he’s referencing.

“Theo Nicopolis has your phone number in his phone. I saw it.” When I raise my eyebrows, he continues. “Don’t ask how.”

“So, you’re the only one who gets to ask questions?” My irritation is fading, but not by much. I sort of understand why he’s pissed if he thinks I’m out, spreading my number around.

“I met with Theo and a couple other guys related to the Russian business that you are now familiar with,” Matteo grits out. I’m not sure if he realizes he just told me that the Italians are meeting with the Greeks, information my father would love to have. Information I should be reporting back. “I won’t go into details, but Theo was going to call someone for us to talk with, and was scrolling to theGs. I saw your name.”

I’m now remembering how that came to be, but I don’t interrupt as Matteo continues, “When I asked him about it, he said he asked you out and you gave him your number.”

“Hmmmm. Did he tell you when that happened or how many times we went out?”

“I didn’t ask. I told him to stay away from Luca’s girl, and then came straight here.”

I shake my head. Sigh loudly. “Youshouldask him.”

He looks exasperated. “I’m askingyou.”

“Ugh, fine. A fewmonthsago, right when classes started, and after I realized he didn’t hate me, I started to have a little crush on your brother—”

“A little crush?” His eyebrows raise.

“And he didn’t ask for my number. Or invite me to your parties. Or ask me outanywhere. It was…upsetting.” Geez. I hate telling this story.

“I bet you weren’t used to that.” Matteo is smirking. Eating up my humiliation.

“Anyway, I asked Luca to have coffee that first week, and it didn’t go as I planned. I was the one making all the moves.”

“All the moves,”he repeats, amused. His parrot act is getting old.

“Anyway, Luca still didn’t seem to want me. So, in my next class, I sat next to Theo, since he was on the golden list. I flirted with him. He asked for my number and I gave it to him. He seemed nice.”

“That’s it? That’s thewholestory?”

“Yeah. I mean, I forgot about it until you reminded me. He called once that weekend, but I didn’t answer. It was the weekend Luca and I got together. Theo hasn’t called again. I still say hello to him in class, though.” I stand up and walk into my kitchen. I call over my shoulder, “Of course, if you want to kill me now because of it, knock yourself out.” I pour the biggest glass of wine I can. What a day.

Matteo stands next to my countertop. I open my refrigerator and hand him one of my brother’s beers. He accepts it without a word. In silence, we each gulp our drinks.

“So, you just wanted to be seen in public with me?”

I nod. “You, and maybe Liam. He was Rowan’s preference, so that was the initial plan. My father doesn’t take no for an answer.”

He sits at one of my counter stools. “Does Luca know all of this?”

I cringe. “No. Does he know you’re here now?”

He sets his beer on the counter. “No. He doesn’t.”

“Then maybe we both want to protect him,” I say without breaking eye contact. “I love your brother, Matteo. I didn’t plan to, and honestly, it’d be easier for me if I didn’t.”

“How’s that exactly? You’re doing exactly what your father wants.”

I shudder at that thought. He has no idea what my father wants. “My father isn’t a good man. There is just as likely a chance that he will change his mind and tell me he wants me to marry you. Or, he could call and tell me to drag Luca to an altar tomorrow, because an alliance suits him that day. I don’t know what to expect. Loving your brother means I can’t let my father dictate the terms of my relationship. It’s a scary place to be. It would be much easier if I didn’t care and could do whatever my father asked. He is not used to being questioned.”

“Do you need protection from your father, Gráinne?” Matteo asks, his eyes sharpening. Interesting that he’s suddenly on my side.

“No. I don’t. Everything is under control,” I lie. “But, I don’t want you to tell Luca about this. Please.” I’ve put most of my cards on the table. Enough that Matteo should understand what Luca means to me.

He frowns at me. “Why haven’tyoutold him?”

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