“I don’t need his permission. Plus, he wants this family union so he’s smart enough to stand down.”
I stare at him, unsure of what to say. This man is nothing like anyone I’ve ever met before. Not that I’ve had a lot of contact with people outside our family or security team. And even they usually keep their distance.
I set my jaw, not wanting him to bulldoze me into doing his bidding. “What if I don’t want to go with you?”
He takes a step closer, and I wonder if he’s had it with me since patience doesn’t seem to be his strong suit. “Then I’d say tough shit. This isn’t a wellness trip or a vacation. You’re coming with me. Deal with it.”
I swallow the lump in my throat and don’t say anything in response because, really, what’s there to say? I can’t overpower him, even if I wasn’t injured, and he doesn’t strike me as the kind of guy you can convince otherwise once he’s made up his mind.
Well, he can take me to his cabin, but I don’t have to like it.
Once I’m better, I’m going to make his life a living hell, that’s for sure. At least, I’ll try. There are lots of ways to carry out revenge, and I’ll find the right one for this infuriating stranger.
He holds out one of his hands but doesn’t advance any farther. “Can I check out your wound now?”
I press my lips together until I barely feel them anymore but nod. “Fine.”
I don’t like this, but I’m also not stupid. Even though I’m usually not around my dad during his business dealings, I’ve seen my fair share of wounds over the years when injured men came back to our house.
Finger by finger, I loosen the death grip I have on the sheet and slide it aside enough to give Matteo the access he needs and not a single inch more.
He gives me a silentReally?look, while I mentally shoot him aIs that a problem?one back. Maybe he’ll rethink this whole trip to the cabin, or go by himself and leave me here.
After dragging the chair right next to the bed, he sits and stares at the huge hole Ash cut into my dress yesterday. He apologized but said it was necessary to access the wound without aggravating it more. Matteo brushes his fingers along the frayed fabric. Goosebumps erupt on my skin, and I flinch at the sensation of the skin tightening around my wound.
“Sorry.” He tries to touch me as little as possible and peels the bandage off with a tenderness that surprises me.
We both stay silent while he inspects my wound and cleans it with the water he put on the nightstand. Once it’s dried, he puts on the antibiotic ointment and applies a fresh bandage. I flinch and groan several times, but he never stops.
When he’s done, he picks up his things and stands. “You need to eat something so you can take your medicine. What do you want?”
I close my eyes for a second. “Whatever you have is fine. Just coffee works too.”
He inclines his head and turns to leave.
“Matteo?”
He peers at me over his shoulder. “What?”
I lick my dry lips. “Do you have clothes for me to wear?” I inhale deeply before pushing out the next words. “I also need to go to the bathroom. Could you . . . could you help me get there, please?”
“Sure. Will you be okay for another few minutes?”
“Yeah.”
“I’ll be back.” Just like that, he’s out the door.
I continue to stare at the spot he just disappeared from. He’s different today, almost clinical in the way he talks to me. He didn’t even argue with me. On the contrary, he was almost . . . nice.
My brain has a hard time putting this version of him together with the man who only yesterday looked at me with fire in his eyes and made me orgasm without asking for anything in return. How’s this the same man?
But maybe that’s a good thing?
He’s an engaged man now, after all, and I have no claim on him whatsoever. Maybe that’s the reason for his change.
For a very short, very fleeting instant yesterday, there were possibilities for us, of what could be if the stars somehow aligned correctly. Now, there’s nothing.
If there was ever a future for us, it was over before it could even begin.