Page 13 of Beautiful Sinner

Julia

The sight of Matteo instantly makes me feel safe.

“You’re here,” I gasp out, feeling my body move closer to him. Matteo offers me a small smile before he glares back up at Connor.

“She was just having fun with me and my friends,” Connor says. “Who are you?”

“I’m Matteo Conti and you’ll leave Julia alone.”

Oh no.

Connor’s eyes widen before a dark look crosses his features. “You said your name was Rachel.”

“I…” I have no words.

“And you’re Matteo Conti? As in Dante Moretti’s man?”

Matteo stands up taller. “Yes. So, you’ll leave this woman alone and stop bothering her.”

“She’s under the protection of Dante, I take it.”

“It doesn’t matter who protects her,” Matteo says. “What matters is that you stop harassing her.”

“I’m Connor Barry. You must know who I am if I know who you are.”

“The Irish mob,” Matteo grunts. “Not impressed. You guys can’t seem to accomplish anything. Now, leave Julia alone and go back to your friends.”

Connor walks down the steps until he’s face to face with Matteo. “Or what? What are you going to do?”

“I’m going to punch you right in the face.”

“Oooh. So scary.” Connor wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me in closer to him. “Since you didn’t say you have a claim to Rachel – or I guess Julia – than I’m just going to take her back to my booth.”

“Let her go.”

“Then punch me.”

I wrench away from Connor and stand in front of Matteo. “It’s ok. Let’s just get out of here. I want to go back home.”

“We’re not done here,” Connor says. The more he and Matteo standoff, the more attention they draw. The more attention they bring to me. This is Dante’s club. If he knows I’m here, it could hurt Viktor. I’m not even sure if I can trust Matteo. The moment I leave, he might tell Dante I was here and that could get me in trouble with Viktor. It could show Dante that Viktor isn’t as strong as he appears.

Connor grabs my arm again and hauls me towards him. That’s enough to make Matteo move. He punches Connor straight in the nose like he promised, sending Connor stumbling to the stairs.

“This club is owned by Dante Moretti,” Matteo says. “You don’t hold any power here. Go.”

Connor glares at both me and Matteo before he pushes past us, clutching his bleeding nose, and tending to his burned ego.

“Are you ok?” Matteo murmurs. His hands reach out like he wants to touch my arms but then he thinks better of it and drops his hands to his sides.

“I’m ok. But I really should go. If Dante finds out I’m here…”

“I won’t tell him.”

I look at Matteo more closely. “Why not? You’re his second in command. I’m your enemy’s sister.”

“Let’s go somewhere more quiet. With less eyes on us. Then you can go. I’ll take you back home.”

“That’s all right. I can get myself home.”