Total pages in book: 106
Estimated words: 102833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102833 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 514(@200wpm)___ 411(@250wpm)___ 343(@300wpm)
I have no idea where we’re going, but since I’ve been living in my loungewear, I decide on a short-sleeved pink floral minidress that dips low in the front and makes my boobs look fabulous. When I put it on, I realize that it fits a bit looser. I smile to myself.
I guess the workout sessions with Matteo have been doing me good. He’s so knowledgeable that it’s like having a personal trainer. And when I’m done and he keeps going since he’s training for his upcoming fight, it’s like I get my own private show.
Once I’m dressed, I throw on a cute pair of brown boots to finish the look and fluff my hair. I’m swiping some gloss on my lips when Matteo appears in the doorway.
“You ready?”
“Yes.”
I turn around, my dress spinning with me, and when my eyes meet Matteo’s, his jaw is clenched.
“That’s what you’re wearing?”
“Yes,” I say again, eyeing what he’s wearing.
He’s replaced his T-shirt and jeans with a pair of gray slacks and a black collared shirt. And instead of his usual sneakers, he’s wearing a pair of black leather dress shoes. Casual Matteo is sexy, but dressed-up Matteo is on a whole other level.
I could understand his face if he wasn’t dressed up, but he is, so I don’t know what the look is for—until it hits me.
“Does my outfit look bad?”
My hands go to my stomach, and he steps forward, pushing them away.
“No. You look fine. Let’s go.”
“What? Wait.” I grab his arm to stop him. “Tell me what’s wrong.”
“It’s nothing,” he says.
“Don’t lie to me. I’ve been lied to too many times, and I can’t have you lying to me as well.”
“Fine.” He sighs. “You look … gorgeous.”
“Okay, thanks … I think?”
“And the thought of every other guy seeing you like this, in this tiny fucking dress with your tits spilling out, pissed me off.”
It takes me a moment to wrap my head around what he just said, but once I do, I can’t help the grin that spreads across my face because …
“Matteo Antonov, are you jealous?”
He grunts and walks around me. “Let’s go, or I’m changing my mind, and I’m cooking us chicken and broccoli.”
I shiver at the thought. “Okay, no need to make threats. Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” I ask after a few minutes.
I technically grew up in Harbor Point, but because of going to boarding school, I don’t really know the area too well. Something I hope to change once Enrique is dead and I’m free to go anywhere I want.
“You’ll see.”
I click Play on the screen since his phone is linked to Bluetooth, and the craziest song starts to play.
“What is this?” I yell, clicking Next, only for another insane song to start up.
Matteo chuckles and clicks a few buttons, and then a normal song begins to play.
“That was my training playlist. It gets me pumped.”
“You listen to that the entire time you’re training?” I scoff. “It’s no wonder you’re so angry. A few minutes of listening to that, and I’d want to murder someone too.”
Matteo throws his head back with a laugh, and my eyes go to his throat, where his Adam’s apple bobs.
“You see that there?” He pulls onto the side of the road, next to what looks like a construction site. “That’s the waterfront expansion our brothers have been working on. It’s going to be badass. I’m talking hotels, restaurants, condominium developments, shopping. It’s going to be a game changer for everyone involved.”
My brother told me about it, and I’ve been excited to start working alongside him so I can learn, but seeing it in person, even though it’s nowhere near done, is surreal. My heart swells with pride that my brother is part of something like this. All the years of Dad training him, and he not only slid into Dad’s shoes, but he surpassed him.
“I hope whatever Enrique is doing doesn’t mess with it.”
“Nah, he can’t touch this. Besides”—he turns to look at me—“you remember the papers I had you sign the other day?”
I nod.
Last week, Matteo came home with a stack of papers that he said needed to be signed so his attorney could start the process of getting my marriage annulled since he had proof that Enrique had stolen someone’s identity, as well as getting the POA reverted to me.
“I was going to tell you at dinner, but while you were getting ready, Kevin texted me. He pulled some strings and was able to get your annulment expedited and get your power of attorney reverted. Enrique can’t touch shit.”
“Wow,” I breathe, feeling like the biggest weight has been lifted off my shoulders. “Thank you.”
“Margie, the director of operations at Russo Property Group, has already started damage control, but from what she said, he didn’t have enough time to do much.”