PTE

ly audible as they sped through the city. His knuckles still tingled from earlier-ghost

kless, stupid even, to let his guard down around her. But damn if he didn't still feel t

. "Warehouse is gone. Complete los

ock following right after. It didn't take a genius to know someone wanted them at each other's throats. Pr

rking orders and rallying the men. Matteo knew what was coming-a meeting between both families. Neutral ground, maybe one of the

g else. That fierce fire in her emerald eyes when she pointed a gun at his head. The way her long, dark b

le to ignore. He hated the way his mind kept replaying the way she arched under him, that sharp mout

ld take a man out with a blade just as easily as she could with a single glance. He never thought he'd b

nce, sensing the tension in

tear apart whoever set us up," Matt

eady to shoot each other down, before chaos erupted around them. He'd seen the w

ed against her under the club, in that dark, hidden space where anger and lust collided. I

ing nails. His father wouldn't care about his distraction-he'd care about results. They needed t

one of his men-confirmation that the meeting was set for tomo

out, his mind already running through possible leads. The mansion loomed ahe

n't help but wonder how the hell he'd

ather greeted him. The walls were adorned with family portraits-generations of Romanos staring down at him

lence. Around him, uncles and cousins filled the room, voices low and tense, discussing the attack. The Ro

the grim set of his mouth. Cousin Luca leaned against the far wall, arms crossed, his dark eyes narrowing as if assessing Matteo's

nyielding. "You were at the club when it happen

pping further into the room. "The

one of his cousins, Rocco, snorted. "That bi

e who shot first. Someone else opened fire

s narrowed. "And

directly at his father. "Someone's playing us, trying to get us to kill eac

ssues with the Bratva moving in on the east side. Could be their d

themselves, trying to bait us into hitt

nicked as ours." He didn't mention the way her hands shook right before they found their way ar

ink. "It doesn't matter if she was caught off guard. She's still

eeting tomorrow night. Neutral grou

ing stare. "You're leading the negotiations. Make sure you get

is gut. His father's approval was something he'd been chasin

oice cutting through the tension. "To

her. Matteo forced a smirk, but his thoughts were elsewhere-stuc

nt burying the desire that still