Page 131 of Ruined By Protection
Her eyes stretch wide then contract into a frown as she stares at the damage to my body. Her gaze slides to Matteo as though seeking confirmation, or maybe vindication. He turns his head from her stonily and steps closer to my side, resting his palm on my lower back to demonstrate his total support forme. I realise in this moment how very much I’ve fallen in love with him.
But what she said a moment ago blooms in my mind. “Wait, what did you mean you didn’t know he was going to hurt me? ”
Matteo loses his cool as it hits him too. He drops to his knees and pushes his face right up into Vanessa’s cheek. She flinches with the proximity of his wild fury. “What did he plan to do to Hazel tonight?” He growls like a caged wild animal.
“I…He…Oh God.” She drops her face into her hands but Matteo is having none of it.
He pulls down on her wrists so she can’t hide. “Answer me Vanessa or the devil help me I’ll…”
“Matteo, don’t, please,” I say very quietly. I know he’s riled up because of me but I can’t bear to see another woman intimidated, not for any reason.
Vanessa lifts her head and looks at me with what I take to be genuine regret. “I honestly don’t know what he actually had in mind, he just said that your neck was as vulnerable as the others.”
“Others,” I murmur under my tongue. How many vulnerable necks had he put his hands around. “Others?” I shout, all the rage I thought I’d spent fountaining up again through my core.
Matteo powers his thighs to stand and immediately returns to my side. His unobtrusive but strong presence allows me to vent all my emotion on this vindictive woman. And I’m not done yet. Because Melissa deserves to have her say too.
"I don’t suppose you know, although you understand him so well, that the woman he was with before me? He killed her. She was pregnant with his child. He wrung her neck and buried her out there in the garden." My arm gestures wildly toward the window. “Or perhaps you were hoping for the same fate for me? And you’d have been there no doubt to comfort Matteo in his grief.”
Vanessa's face crumples, tears spilling down her cheeks although I’m still not convinced they aren’t the gift of the crocodile. "Oh my God. Oh my God, I'm so sorry. I didn't know. I swear I didn't know. And…. and…." her voice stalls and croaks out.
I glance at Matteo, pretty sure now that her emotions are real, and she recognizes that the horror she jumped into so eagerly is definitely no game.
Her eyes bat back and forth between us both. "I acted so stupidly," she continues, shaking her head. "For no reason. Over a man who didn't even want me." She looks up at Matteo, thenback to me. "It makes sense now. And I’m kind of certain that it’s not you he would have strangled tonight, but me.”
Her eyes search mine but I don't answer. I don't need to. The truth hangs in the air between us, heavy and undeniable. If not for Matteo and Noah protecting us, at least one of us would definitely not be here right now.
Matteo
I watch Vanessa's face crumple as the reality of her situation sinks in. She knows now that she’s been a pawn in Montgomery's game, just like everyone else—although she walked into it willingly. The tears streaming down her face seem genuine but I don't have time for her regrets.
"Stay here," I tell her, my voice leaving no room for argument. "Don't move until I come back for you."
"I'm sorry," she whispers again, looking between Hazel and me. "I didn't know?—"
"I don't care what you knew," I cut her off. "You'll stay in this room. I'll deal with you later."
She nods, shoulders slumping in defeat.
I take Hazel's hand and her trembling fingers curl around mine. Her skin is chilled, her face pale with shock. She needs to get away from Vanessa, away from this mess.
"Come with me," I murmur, guiding her toward the door.
Hazel follows without resistance, her body moving mechanically beside mine. In the hallway, I check each door until I find another guest room—smaller than Vanessa’s but untouched by Montgomery's madness.
I lead her inside and close the door behind us, shutting out Vanessa's sobs and the chaos of everything that we’ve beenthrough tonight - so far. For a moment we stand in silence, her hand still gripped in mine.
"Breathe," I whisper, turning to face her. Her eyes are distant, unfocused. "Hazel, look at me."
She blinks, struggling to center herself. I place my hands gently on her shoulders, careful not to startle her.
"We have to finish this," I tell her.
Her gaze finally focuses, some clarity returning to those beautiful hazel eyes. She takes a deep, shuddering breath. “I know.”
I brush a strand of hair from her face, my fingers lingering against her cheek. Even now, with everything one huge clusterfuck, I'm struck by how much I need her—not just want her, but need her as much as the oxygen I breathe.
CHAPTER 42
