Page 93 of Ruthless God

Shopping was exhaustingand thrilling all at once.

Shopping with Matteo was in a different league of its own.

Anything I touched was bought, no questions asked. And I had to try on some of the clothes we purchased and come out for Matteo’s opinion. I was sure he had better things to do than to sit around and watch me try on clothes, but he was a good sport about it. I was getting more and more comfortable with the youngest De Luca brother.

No, more than that. I was fond of him.

Three long hours later, we finally called it good, and Matteo had them deliver the purchases to my home.

I squinted my eyes at the sunlight when we got out, feeling like I hadn’t seen daylight in ages. Matteo grabbed my shoulders as I made my way to his car and veered us off in a different direction.

“Aren’t we going home?” I asked.

“No. I don’t know about you, but I’m hungry. Let’s eat.”

Eating meant I spent more time with Matteo. I didn’t think I was so socially awkward that I didn’t know what to say or do around other people, but I felt it with Matteo.

I certainly didn’t have this problem when Andre had taken Lina and me out to meet some of the men and their families that he associated himself with.

But that had been a social event, and I had Lina as a buffer.

I didn’t have any buffers now.

I stayed silent as Matteo led me into a small bistro restaurant. The place was quaint and airy. It wasn’t as crowded as I thought it would be, and I hadn’t realized how hungry I was until we walked in and I saw the waitress carrying a tray of sandwiches.

My stomach grumbled, and Matteo looked back at me with amusement in his eyes.

I looked away from him, and he chuckled, wrapping his arm around me and pulling me in close to him.

I let him talk to the hostess.

We were quickly led to a table, and a small menu was placed in front of us.

Matteo looked around the place, his eyes scanning. It didn’t seem like he thought there were any threats around because his shoulders relaxed.

“Order me a brisket sandwich, yeah? And a side of fries. I’ll be right outside. I have to make a call real quick,” he said.

“Okay.”

He looked at me. It didn’t seem like he wanted to leave me alone.

“I think I’ll be safe here. Don’t worry.”

“Get your phone out and pull up my contact.”

I did as he asked.

“If you sense anything is wrong at all, even if you’re not sure, you call me, okay?”

I smiled. “I will. Don’t worry.”

He nodded and walked away. I watched him through the small window as he made the call, wondering if this was what my life would be like from now on.

It wasn’t like I wasn’t used to it. I grew up with guards watching my every move, but for the first time, it felt like I had people here, not to watch me but to protect me.

A warm, fuzzy feeling took hold. I tried to keep it from overwhelming me. Since when was I so emotional?

I took a sip of my water, waiting for the waitress to stop by, when a shadow fell over me.