“Calla,” he said in that guttural voice. Calla’s head immediately lifted, and she stared at the baby in his arms with shocked eyes for a moment before her mouth dropped open.
She whispered a quiet, “Holy shit,” to which Matteo only grinned in response.
“Sunshine, this is my boss Matteo,” I introduced, though it seemed very obvious that the man needed no introduction. If Luna hadn’t been enough of a sign of who Matteo was, then the fact that the man’s face was in the news often probably was.
“Nice to meet you,” she whispered, staring at the door in longing.
“Angel!” he barked suddenly, spinning to face his wife who bit her lip anxiously. “What did you tell her? She’s terrified.”
Ivory stifled her giggle, glancing down at Calla’s pale face. “Did it occur to you, my darling husband, that perhaps you just give off that psychopath vibe?”
“She’s sleeping with Ryker,” Matteo returned, turning to me. His expression was pleading, and I knew he wanted me to agree with him. Undoubtedly, I was scarier at first glance.
But not by much.
I ignored him, knowing that I needed to get Calla home before she truly lost her sanity. "I just need to talk to Scar for a minute, Tesoro," I murmured, tucking her ice blond hair behind her ear when she rolled her eyes at me.
"I behaaavved," she said, and though the words were drawn out, she didn't slur. She was always so good with her words, even when she was drunk. It made sense, since she thought they were her greatest weapon.
She didn't understand that I was her greatest weapon.
With a chuckle, I turned away from the gaping women and went for where Scar just stood watching like he'd found a reality show. He followed me into the sitting room. Simon passed us as we went, and I made a mental note to hurry the conversation along. There was zero chance Simon wouldn’t annoy her. "She give you any trouble?" I asked.
"None. They gossiped, told her to just let it happen, and hinted that she wants to fuck you. Then they got her drunk. Sadie said they were lowering her inhibitions so she could 'ride your meatballs until the sun came up.'"
I hung my head, sighing at the floor. Thanks to Sunshine, everyone would be talking about my meatballs.
Meatballs. A monster metal dick.
My junk was getting more and more strange by the day. If I didn't show her my cock soon, the next thing I knew, she'd claim it spit marinara.
"You going to let her ride your meatballs, Ryke?" Scar asked, trying to contain his laughter.
"Shut the fuck up," I laughed. "Thanks for keeping an eye on her."
"You know I've got your back. You deserve to be happy. She's the only person who gives you that." He shrugged, but I knew him well enough to know exactly what went through his head.
He didn't deserve the same happiness, even if our situations had been similar.
"You do too. You'll find her someday. She'll come out of nowhere and that will be that," I grunted, stepping back to the dining room to grab my woman so we could go get our kids.
Sure enough, Simon had made himself welcome in her space at the table, leaning in and whispering something to her. I fought back the rage boiling my blood. Simon was one crazy fuck, I’d give him that. But he wasn’t stupid.
He’d never think to touch what was mine, and as I got closer, it became increasingly obvious. He was close, but not a single part of him touched her. She giggled at whatever shit show he told her, and then he stepped back to smile at the thunderous look on my face.
“I was just telling Calla that you like to paint in your free time,” Simon said, his face contorting into a laugh. I instantly wanted to strangle him.
The only paintings I did were in blood.
“I think it’s time to go get Ines, Sunshine,” I murmured, closing the little distance between us and grabbing her hands. I lifted her until she stepped into my chest. I felt the room go still when I leaned over her to touch my lips to the top of her head. My heart rate and the anger that always pulsed through every muscle in my body instantly dissipated once I had my Sunshine back in my arms. She chased away the shadows.
“Why don’t you two stay for dinner?” Matteo asked with a chuckle, but I leveled him with a glare. I had no intention of staying any longer, and the man knew it.
Calla tilted her head back up to look at me, her smile extra crooked with the alcohol altering her state of being.
I was ready to be back in our sanctuary.
Alone. Just the four of us.