Chapter 6 - THE JEALOUS MAFIA BOSSEmma’s former boyfriend approached her at a charity gala.
David Mercer.
They had dated briefly two years earlier and separated without drama.
He hugged her.
Across the ballroom, Matteo became perfectly still.
Emma almost smiled.
Thirty seconds later, one hand settled at her waist.
“David.”
Matteo smiled without warmth.
“We’ve met.”
David looked between them.
“I should find my table.”
He disappeared.
Emma waited until Matteo guided her into an empty corridor.
“What was that?”
“What?”
“The territorial-caveman performance.”
“He touched you.”
“He hugged me.”
“I noticed.”
“You’re jealous.”
“No.”
“Matteo Romano is jealous.”
“Don’t.”
“Why?”
His restraint slipped.
He stepped closer.
One hand braced against the wall beside her head.
Their faces were inches apart.
“Because this arrangement ends.”
Emma’s breath caught.
“In five months.”
“Yes.”
His gaze fell to her mouth.
“Then why are you reminding yourself instead of me?”
Footsteps sounded.
Matteo moved away instantly.
The moment ended.
The tension didn’t.
Three days later, Emma left a florist after approving arrangements for another fundraiser.
A black sedan jumped the curb.
Before she could move, Matteo’s armored SUV slammed between them.
Metal screamed.
Glass shattered.
Matteo came out before the vehicle stopped.
“Emma!”
Gunfire erupted from across the street.
People scattered.
Matteo dragged Emma behind a concrete planter and covered her with his body.
A bullet struck stone.
Emma saw red across his white shirt.
“You’re bleeding.”
“Not mine.”
Another shot.
His arms tightened around her.
For the first time, Emma felt his heart hammering wildly.
Matteo Romano was afraid.
Not of dying.
Of losing her.
The attackers fled.
Matteo checked Emma’s face.
Shoulders.
Arms.
“I’m fine.”
He kept searching.
“Matteo.”
Nothing.
She caught his hand.
“I’m fine.”
His composure disappeared.
He pulled her against him.
No cameras mattered.
No fake engagement.
No audience.
He simply held her.
That night, Emma found him sitting on the floor outside her bedroom.
“You own forty rooms.”
“I know.”
“Why are you outside mine?”
Matteo looked up.
For once, he answered honestly.
“Every time I close my eyes, I see that car.”
Emma sat beside him.
“You can’t protect everybody.”
“I don’t need everybody.”
He looked at her.
“Just you.”
Emma stopped breathing.
He leaned toward her.
Then his phone rang.
Twice.
Matteo answered.
His expression changed.
Daniel Vescari had been found.
Alive.
Barely.
May you like
And Daniel had finally named the person behind everything.
Luca Romano.
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