Bound by Hatred (Born in Blood Mafia Chronicles #3)(54)

I didn’t even care when Gianna turned her back to me afterward, trying to punish me by not reciprocating. I’d gotten what I’d wanted.

“You realize that sex is all there is between us, right?” she said angrily.

“Sex is important.”

“Sure, but it’s not all there is.”

“It’s not all there is,” I said, annoyed.

“Yes, it is, and there won’t ever be more. Don’t think I like you just because I like to f*ck you.”

“Thanks for the heads-up,” I growled.



Gianna



I was still annoyed at myself during breakfast, especially because Matteo’s expression was far too smug despite my harsh words. Maybe he thought I’d been joking, or maybe he didn’t care.

My body had a mind of its own, always eager for his touch. It didn’t help that Matteo looked like a male model with his tight white shirt and messy black hair. He was sex on legs, and knew it.

“We are invited to dinner at one of the leading families this week, so Aria and you should probably go dress shopping.”

I dropped my spoon with the yogurt. “You want me to attend a social event with you?” I couldn’t believe he’d drag me into public so quickly. We’d been married for two weeks and the gossip mills were probably still going strong. “Everybody will be talking behind my back.”

Matteo shrugged. “I don’t give a damn what they think and they know better than to say anything in front of you or me.”

“I know those women, they won’t miss an opportunity to talk trash about someone, especially me.”

“Ignore them. It’s not like their opinion matters. They will always talk shit about you. That’s all they can do.”

I didn’t care what they said, but I’d never enjoyed myself at social functions and I doubted that would change any time soon. “I know, but I hate these gatherings. Everything about it is false. People who wouldn’t hesitate to thrust a knife into your back smile into your face if they hope to gain something from it.”

For a long time I’d thought I was anti-social and just didn’t like to be around larger groups of people but during my time on the run, I’d attended several parties and I’d never felt out of place. Even though I’d been pretending to be someone else then, I’d still felt truer to myself than I ever did around the people in our world.

“You’ll get used to them.”

“I don’t want to. That’s why I ran away.”

Matteo searched my face with a curious expression, then his lips twitched. “So you didn’t only run from me?”

“Don’t get your hopes up. You were definitely one of the main reasons,” I said.

“But not the only reason.”

I rolled my eyes and took another sip from my coffee. “Do I really have to attend the dinner?”

Matteo rose from his chair and startled me with a quick kiss on my mouth. “Yep. I won’t suffer through it alone now that I have a wife who can share my anguish. Just do what I do when I have to talk to idiots, imagine how it would feel to slice their heads off.”

Despite how often I’d pushed him away, Matteo seemed intend on making it work between us. Why did he have to be so stubborn? Couldn’t he finally grow tired of me and give me the chance to get away? “That’s easy for you to say, but not all of us make a habit out of killing people.”

Images of Sid wanted to anchor themselves in my brain again, but I couldn’t bear them right now and forced them away.

“Then imagine how it would be to watch me kill the people that annoy you. As your husband it’s my duty to kill your enemies after all.” Matteo smiled his cocky grin, his eyes lit up with humor. My stomach fluttered in a scary way and I quickly tore my gaze away from him and emptied my cup.

“I’ll go up to Aria and talk to her about going shopping. I need to be a good wife after all,” I said mockingly but somehow it felt wrong. My emotions were confusing me, everything about my new situation did.

“You should probably buy some new clothes for you,” Matteo said as he put his gun holster on.

“Is that an order?”

“I didn’t know it was necessary to order a woman to buy clothes. Isn’t that your favorite hobby?”

“Really?” I almost laughed. “Not all women are the same.”

“Oh I know.” There was that smile again.

My eyes lingered on his gun, trying to remind myself that this was who he really was. The smile that made my stomach do flips was only a mask.

I stood abruptly. “You and Luca will be gone all day again?”

“Why? Do you and Aria have another escape planned?”

“Haha,” I muttered, then raised the leg of my jeans, revealing the black ankle bracelet. “I can’t, remember?”

“It doesn’t stop you from making plans. Don’t tell me you’re not still thinking about escaping?”

I considered lying but instead opted for the truth. “Of course I am thinking about it. Did you think good sex and a ring around my finger would suddenly make me change my mind?”

“Only good, hm?”

I snorted and headed toward the elevator. Matteo joined me inside, his eyes resting on my hand.