I didn’t want him to anyway.
He marked me as his. And it’s exactly what I wanted.
Even though our relationship will never last, I’ll never remain his forever. Someday another man will fuck me and have to look at his name on my neck with his name on it.
I may love another man one day. A man that treats me nicely and lets me make my own decisions in my life. A man that isn’t dangerous enough. A man that won’t remind me of Matteo in any way.
When that day comes, I’ll be more than happy to have Matteo’s name etched on my skin.
18
Matteo
“You ready?” I ask Eden.
She raises an eyebrow. “I’m always ready for you.” She throws her arms around my neck and kisses me hard on the lips.
I smirk. “I meant ready to go.”
Her eyes widen as she falls off my lap. “You were serious? You’re taking me on a date?”
I nod.
Her face lights up, and I really wish it wouldn’t. She’s wanted to go on a date for weeks, despite never asking me to take her. I’ve wanted to take her on a date too. Today’s that day.
But as much as I wish this was just about going on a date, it’s not. It’s playing double duty. I’ve given into what Eden wants, in more way than one.
“You have five minutes to get changed.”
She darts off my lap in the main living room and starts running toward my bedroom.
She pauses in the hallway. “What should I wear?”
“Jeans and a nice shirt. And make sure to wear your hair up!”
She grins and then disappears. She better fucking listen to me, for once, and wear her hair up. I need to see her tattoo today.
I thought she would make a big fuss when she finally saw the tattoo. I thought she would yell and tell me I had no right to do it.
She didn’t. In fact, I’m pretty sure she likes it. More than she should.
I don’t even know why I did it. It was an impulse thing. I had the equipment. Not the fancy tattoo guns that you get at the shop, but the kind that barely gets the job done, although in a more painful way.
I just knew that I needed her marked. Especially before today. I may be giving in to Eden and my men’s plans, but I’m going to let the world know she’s mine while I do it.
Eden leans against the wall of the living room. “Does this work?” she asks beaming, knowing how fucking sexy she looks.
I stand and walk over to her. Taking in her dark jeans, her cleavage-revealing yellow halter top, and her matching spiked heels. And her hair pulled up in a clip.
I kiss her on the lips, sweeping her off her feet, reminding her who she belongs to tonight because I’m afraid this plan is going to fail. I think it will work to take Clive and Erick out, but I’m worried I might lose Eden in the process. She might finally find a way to escape. Although, the heels she is wearing makes it a little less likely. But she can run fast. Even in heels.
“So where are you taking me?” she asks, grinning far too brightly.
“Dinner.”
“It’s two o’clock in the afternoon? What are we doing before dinner?”
“Whatever you want.”