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9

SADIE

I take a long, hot shower and let the water run until it’s cold. Running every scenario through my mind as to how Hawk is going to play this. I have no doubt he told Gabe everything he knows, even though it’s not the whole truth. It’s protocol. He would’ve told the guys everything in church and now that he knows I’m gone, he’s going to put all his efforts into finding me.

I already know what he’ll do. He’s going to search my phone, checking through all my text messages and social media apps. He’ll probably question Avery, Jayde, Jinx, and Sky, but none of them know anything about what I’ve been up to. I purposely kept them in the dark so they wouldn’t have to lie for me.

Avery knows about my business partnership, but that’s all public record now anyway since Matteo is part owner until I can buy him out down the road. Of course, Mack will probably lose his shit over that. He’ll want to have words with Matteo about it. Hell, he’d probably be ballsy enough to show up at the Pearl looking for him. Thankfully, we’re nowhere near Oakridge so there’s no worry of a surprise visit or bloodshed any time soon.

Avery is going to be pissed when she learns I’ve left and didn’t fill her in on my plans. I’ll call her on a burner eventually, but I need to give it a few days to let things settle. Besides, I’m not sure what I would even tell her at this point. The guys may think they’re shit is kept private under the whole ‘it’s club business’ motto, but my girls are stupid. They listen and pay attention. The men may not think we can handle ourselves, but I dare anyone to try to take out than or Caleb, hell even Mack. They better have a plan for the afterlife, because I can guaran-fucking-tee they’ll be headed straight for hell at the hands of their women if given the opportunity.

My girls are fierce, and they are just as protective and brutal as any of the men. We may not have the same strengths, but we’re not weak either. Any one of us would lay down our lives for this family.

Too bad the men don’t believe it.

I finish in the bathroom and put on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt before heading down to the dining room to meet Matteo. I’m not sure I know where I’m going, but there’s a delicious smell coming from this direction, so I trust my nose to lead the way.

I follow the sound of murmured voices and round the corner to find Matteo sitting at the table talking with two of his men. When they look up and see me enter the room, all conversation ceases.

“Come in, Dolcezza. Dinner will be out momentarily.” Matteo crooks his finger at me then pulls out the chair to his left. “Come. We have much to discuss. How are you feeling?” He searches my face, and I fight the urge to shiver under his scrutiny. Not because I’m into him, though he is very attractive man with wealth and power and could give me anything my heart desires.

Anything but the love you crave.

Matteo is pure muscle and masculine power in an expensive suit. His strong jaw, and piercing eyes, with his dark hair and olive complexion make him the perfect male specimen. Don’t get me started on the size of the man’s hands. Holy shit.

He’s smooth, yet sincere in the way he speaks to women and cares about those who are under his care and protection, which I guess I am for now.

“Are your accommodations to your liking?”

“Oh, uh, yes. Everything is perfect. Thank-you.” I smile politely. “Where will my computers be set up?”

“We’ve set up an office for you. My men are working on mounting your monitors now. I’ve sent Sergio to gather the other items you requested from the store. Once he returns, my men will put everything together for you.”

“That won’t be necessary. If you’ll just have them leave everything in the office, I can set it up myself.” I tell him. When he holds my stare but doesn’t speak, I explain. “I have a certain way I like my things set up.” I shrug. “I’m kind of anal about it actually.”

Matteo’s laugh fills the room. “If it’s anal you’re looking for, Dolcezza…” his words trail off.

I watch him with my mouth agape. Matteo isn’t usually the one to throw around innuendos or dirty jokes. I’m not offended by any means. I’ve grown up with bikers who make a dirty joke out of every possible opportunity. Hell, Hawk and Cash could make anything into an innuendo or an invitation.

“You dirty bastard.” I tease. “You’ve been hiding this fun personality under all those stuffy suits all this time.” Matteo shrugs, still smiling.

“Sometimes an innuendo is the perfect icebreaker to a conversation.” He states. “I thought you could handle it.”

I smile at that. “Aren’t you the one who keeps correcting me whenever I say shit I’m not supposed to?”

“Like cursing, Dolcezza?” He lowers his gaze to glower at me. “We will begin your training soon enough. You might want to learn to curb your affinity for curse words before then.” I shiver in my seat at the meaning behind his words. “For tonight, we eat. Then I’ll take you on a tour. Let you get your barrings before we get into the harder stuff.” He lifts a brow, teasingly.

I bounce my hands in my lap and laugh. “Oh my god. Stop it! I can’t deal with this-” I wave my hand from his head to his feet. “…version of you. It’s weird.”

Matteo laughs again, putting his hands up in front of him. “Fine. Fine. I’ll be business as usual since you are clearly not going to be any fun.” He lifts that ridiculous brow again. Weird bastard.

“We need to go over some rules, Miss Jenkins.” I know immediately the fun and games are over. Matteo rarely uses my name unless he’s about to drop something serious on me.

“What rules?” A woman comes out of the kitchen and places two large plates overflowing with what looks like chicken parmesan and fettucine on the side. “Thank-you, Marta.” The woman nods to Matteo then pours two glasses of red wine. He smiles at my quizzical brow then says, “You are not underage when seated at the table in an Italian home. Wine is a staple for us. It’s not the same as hard liquor. But…” He pauses, and that don’t argue with me glare is back. “You do not drink anywhere or with anyone else without my express permission from now on. Are we clear?”

“Is this one of your rules while I stay here?”

“No. It’s one of your rules while in my care. I will not have you harmed because you were reckless and drank too much or were slipped something by swift hands. These people we will be around, they do not care about consent. But if they know you are under my care, they will hesitate to fuck with you unless they have express permission. But even still, if someone offers you a drink, you are to ask me before accepting. Always.” The deep timber of his voice leaves zero room for argument.

I nod and pick up my fork and aimlessly twist the food around. My stomach is still in knots about everything that’s happened.

“Do you not like the food, Dolcezza?” The man missing nothing.

“No. It’s fine. I’m just not very hungry.” I reply not wanting to talk about the events of the day.

“You’ll eat, at least three meals a day while you are here. You’ll need your strength for everything we have to do, and I won’t have you malnourished and passing out on me.” He says then scoops up his food, using both his knife and fork to raise the enormous bite to his lips and eating it. He dabs his mouth with the black cloth napkin and watches me as he chews. With a simple nod to my plate, I get the hint and take a bite of my own. It’s not quite as big as his bite, but it’s enough to satisfy his watchful eyes.

He swallows, then continues to explain. “I’ll take you on a tour of the penthouse apartment. There are areas you may not go, and you need to obey me in this. There will be no leniency for disobedience. Vincenzo is a generous man to a fault. But if you cross him, in any way, I don’t have to tell you what that could mean for your family? I must be able to trust you implicitly in these things. It’s for your safety and my own. Understand?”

“I get it.”

“I can never trust you to be honest or do what’s best for us or the club.” Hawk’s words echo in my mind.

“Good.” Matteo draws me back into the conversation at hand. “I’ll show you to the gym on the second floor and your office. There’s an indoor pool you may use at your leisure, and the kitchen. Of course, if there’s anything you wish to have stocked in the pantry or made for any meal, you need only inform Marta, and she’ll see to everything.”

“I can make my own meals. I don’t usually eat at regular times anyway.” I shrug, taking another bite of chicken.

“I’ve already explained my expectations for you to eat.” He leans back, crossing one knee over the other. “Are you unclear on my rule?”

“No.” I sigh, sitting back myself. “I don’t usually eat full meals throughout the day. I have a drawer full of snacks at my desk and I pick at them all day while I work. If I work out I’ll eat a large meal before and after, but it just depends.”

“Not anymore.” Matteo says matter-of-factly. “You’ll eat three full meals a day with snacks in between if you desire. But you will be working out every day, as well as your training with me, which I can assure you will be…tiring. You’ll need the nutrition and I’m going to see to it that you’ll always have what you need while here.”

“Seriously. All I need is some chocolate, fruit, and the occasional pizza and I’m a happy girl.

I explain. “Oh, and caffeine! Don’t think to hide the caffeine. I don’t function without it and you don’t want to deal with my level of bitchiness when I don’t have it.”

Matteo quirks his brow, rubbing his hand along his jaw. “I can assure you, Miss Jenkins, it’s you who doesn’t want me to have to deal with your level of bitchiness as you put it. Not if you want to sit while you work.”

I don’t miss the threat in his words.

Too bad Hawk can’t just spank my ass and then let all be forgiven.

Matteo’s eyes narrow in on me. “You know I won’t hurt you, Dolcezza. I will correct your behavior as per the agreement we made. It’s necessary for the places we will be going and the attention we will be attracting. They must believe you are my submissive partner in all things.” He leans forward, gripping my chin in his fingers, leveling me with those beautiful eyes. “You never have to fear me, Sadie. I will never push you beyond your limits or take advantage of the gift of your trust. This is not a relationship, but a partnership. I will teach you to be unbreakable and who knows? You may even learn things that you enjoy that you can later explore with someone else. But no matter what, you must listen and obey me at all times. It’s for your safety, Dolcezza. When this is all over, I will return you to your life with your family, unharmed.”

Does a broken heart count?

I can’t think about that now. I have a job to do. So long as I do what Matteo says, Vincenzo assured me he would keep the Kings from finding me and hauling my ass back home.