He steps inside with me still attached to him and closes the door behind us. Suddenly, his phone goes off with a steady alarm.
Matteo stiffens around me, and his hands come to my waist. “Baby, can you stand? I need to check the security system.”
That immediately snaps me out of my exhausted state, and I slide down his body to stand.
Matteo reaches underneath the entryway table and takes out a gun. He checks it and hands it to me. “Stay here. Shoot anyone who isn’t me, you hear me? I’ll be right back.”
His lips meet mine in a quick kiss, and then he’s gone.
What happens in the next few minutes is a blur: a thump on the front door, a gunshot, Matteo calling my name, his loud footsteps, and so much blood.
Chapter13
Gemma
“Thank God, you’re here.” I step back into the house, throw the door closed behind me, and jump straight into Matteo’s arms, almost toppling both of us over. My whole body’s trembling, and I’m clinging to Matteo with all my might, not quite ready to let go of him.
His hands roam over my back and neck, hugging me to him before he pushes me back to give me a better once-over. “Fuck, baby, where are you hurt?”
“I’m not. I’m okay.”
“You’re covered in blood.” He’s staring at the front of my shirt.
I don’t blame him for thinking the worst. I probably look like a total monster.
Images of what actually happened pop into my head, and I draw in a shaky breath. “I . . . I . . . there was a thump in front of the door, and I heard a whimper. I peeked out the window and saw the bunny on the front porch, and it . . . The poor thing kept whimpering, so I wanted to check on it. And then . . . and then . . .”
I stop as a lump in my throat prevents me from talking.
Matteo rubs his fingers over my hands. “Shh, baby, I’m here. What happened then?”
Pressing my lips together, I keep the tears from spilling over. “I had to check on it. I . . . I didn’t see it was bleeding so badly until I picked it up.”
Matteo nods, his whole body going rigid. Then he cradles my face and forces me to gaze at him. “Listen very carefully right now, okay?”
I jerk my head up and down as much as I can in his tight grip. “I need to get my keys and wallet, so we can get out of here.”
I swallow. “Okay, I’m coming with you.”
He retrieves a gun from the back of his waistband, takes off the safety, and clasps my hand. “Stay behind me.”
We head toward his office, where he finds his keys and wallet, and shoves them in the pockets of his sweatpants. He turns my way again and grasps the bottom of my shirt to lift it up and over my head. Goosebumps spread across my body, my exposed nipples turning into hard peaks. From a bag in the corner, Matteo snatches a T-shirt and holds it out for me to put my head and arms through. A hoodie is next, and I welcome the warmth and comforting scent I’ve gotten so used to.
He leans down to eye level and catches my gaze. “You okay? Ready to go?”
I lick my dry lips. “What about my things?”
“We can replace everything back home.”
I hesitate but then open my mouth anyway. “My phone.”
He tips his chin. “I secured the house. Get it quick.”
There’s no surprise on his face at the mention of the phone, which I’m guessing means he knew about it all along. Since I want it, I run upstairs and grab it. I hate leaving everything else behind, but he’s right, it’s all easily replaceable.
Matteo’s waiting for me by the bottom of the stairs and rushes me into the garage and into his SUV. I’m barely buckled when he backs out of the garage, spins around, and speeds down the driveway. He reaches over and puts his gun in the glove box and then takes out his phone.
He taps the screen a few times before holding it up to his ear. “Hey. We have a situation at the cottage.” He listens for a moment before he says, “Yeah, she’s okay.” Another pause, then, “Yeah, call Luna to get access and report back.” He ends the call and slides the phone into the dashboard dock.