Page 57 of Little Bird (Advantage Play 3)

“You sure? ‘Cause you just gave your dress—that looks beautiful on you, by the way—a glare that would make a grown man cower in fear.”

With a light laugh, I roll my eyes before admitting, “It’s nothing.”

“You’re a terrible liar, Regina,” he points out. “But I’ll let it go for now.”

“That’s very kind of you.”

“Not usually a term that’s used to describe me, but I’ll take it. Besides, we’re in the mafia. Our entire world is built on secrets, is it not?” He spins me around before pulling me back into his arms and dipping me low.

“It is,” I concur when my feet are firmly on the ground, and we go back to gently swaying.

“Tell me this,” Matteo prods. “Does your secret have something to do with a big, brooding man over there?” His gaze shoots over my shoulder before he spins me around so that I can take a peek without seeming too conspicuous.

When I see Dex glaring at me, I mutter, “Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner.”

“Interesting. Can I also assume that your little vendetta against your dress might have something to do with Bianca Castello, who wore a matching color and happened to be hanging on him earlier tonight?”

“Castello?”

He nods.

“As in…Dominic Castello?” The name leaves a sour taste in my mouth. My dad approached me before he died and mentioned finding me a potential spouse before I lost my shit on him. Thankfully, he bailed on the idea before seeing it come to fruition, but I’ll never forget the bastard’s name.

“Bianca is Dominic’s younger sister, though I’m a bit confused as to why they were invited.”

“What do you mean?” I ask, growing more and more fascinated by Matteo the longer I spend my time in his presence. Seems to me that he’s a keeper of secrets. Yet, here he is, divulging them to me. A woman.

“There’re rumors that he was in bed with Burlone. Not literally,” he clarifies with a crooked smirk. “But he was definitely invested in the Allegretti name. Then again, so was your boy.”

I lick my lips but don’t comment, praying he’ll feel generous and continue his musings.

“Would you like to hear my theory?” he asks, watching me with open curiosity.

I nod while taking in the laugh lines around his soft green eyes.

“I think it’s a power play. Your brother is showing that he isn’t afraid of the Allegretti name. That he dethroned Burlone from power and can easily do it again to anyone who stands against him.”

“You’re perceptive,” I compliment, albeit grudgingly. “What else have you observed?”

“That you’ve already won the hearts of every available man in this room, though yours seems to have been stolen for some time.”

I swallow but don’t bother to deny it.

“Who are you?” I repeat, my voice laced with awe.

“A friend, if you ever need it.”

“To me? Or the Romano family?” I press.

“Both.” Spinning me a second time, he pulls me in close then murmurs, “Tell me, Regina. The man who’s stolen your heart is currently contemplating how he can make my death look like an accident. Would you like me to continue our charade that’s making him question his sanity, or should we put him out of his misery?”

I sneak a quick peek over Matteo’s shoulder then lick my lips. “I guess I should probably go talk to him.”

With a soft shake of his head, Matteo leans closer and whispers in my ear. “Excuse yourself from the room. I guarantee he’ll follow, and you’ll be able to find a bit more privacy. As I’m sure you can see, you won’t find it in here with all of these guests who are watching your every move.”

He’s right.

I nod my assent before my mouth stretches into a smile as I realize that I actually enjoyed our little interaction. “Thank you for asking me to dance.”

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