Page 36 of Mafia King: Matteo (Borrelli Mafia #1)

“It’s enough money to buy a few houses in Southern Italy, but I want you to have a one-of-a-kind dress. They will take your measurements, and occasionally, you’ll be invited for private viewings of her latest collections. She has clients, and you have a personal assistant here to help you.”

“Like the ones I’ve gone to in the city?”

“No. The store is closed for you. It’s by invitation only. Each piece is tailored to fit you, and what you buy won’t be sold in New York. She only sells to her clients. You won’t find her clothing in stores or on clearance.”

“Wow,” I murmur. I observe clothing on racks with shoes to match. This is more upscale than the little stores I took Izzy to.

“It’s not uncommon for jeans to cost five thousand dollars.”

I protest, but his lips silence me before my assistant for the day greets us with champagne.

The drink goes down quickly. A dress is brought out. I’m told it’s backless and made of wool. The bottom is wide and flowing. The fabric’s print is black with cream swirls. A tux with a jacket that matches the material of my dress is suddenly carried in front of Matteo, along with black pants.

We move into the dressing rooms to try on our clothes.

A team of women has me raise my arms and check the dress’s length and bust. The bra is built into the undergarment with a hoop like the old-fashioned dresses to keep the shape of the dress perfect at the bottom.

I have to kick the hoop so it flounces the dress out before I walk. I’m gobsmacked.

It’s exquisite. After our fitting, I was led around to pick out what I liked for day wear, and then they brought out a few options for a wedding dress.

The dresses weren’t finished, but I was shown pictures of the sketches.

Cinderella would be green with envy at the choices before me.

I made my selection, and then we moved on to formal wear and walked the shop.

I select a few evening dresses, and we leave to return home. I fall asleep on the way. We enter the house, and I’m foggy but hungry. Federico coos over me as he provides us with a late lunch.

Overall, it was a successful weekend with my new fiancé. And, as life tends to go, it’s one step forward and one back.

Monday dawns with Vito driving me to work.

It’s dark when I get up to fix my hair. Matteo left me a note he’s in the gym.

I don’t have time to see him as I race down the stairs to eat in the kitchen and converse with Federico.

He slides a stylish bag my way, and inside, I find it’s a lunchbox disguised as a large purse.

There is a thermos, a bottle of water, and silverware.

My lunch. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“I wanted to. Besides, Matteo wants you to take care of yourself. So do I,” he adds before making my latte. I want to hug him as he’s so kind to me.

I eat, and Matteo breezes by on his way upstairs.

He kisses my lips and tells me our announcement was on page six yesterday.

I assume the wedding date is June.

However, a knife can cut the tension when I arrive at work. I locate Penny. “What’s up?”

“You never mentioned you are engaged to Matteo Borrelli.”

“And?”

“He was Sophia’s lover before she came here for this position last year. She envisioned herself as the one to wear that ring,” she states emphatically, pointing to the rock on my left hand.

“Fuck.”

“Darling,” she drawls out her voice like Cruella de Vil. “Let me see that ring. You never mentioned Matteo. However, did you meet?”

“It was a coincidence,” I state. Oh, God. Will the world know it was a sex club?

“I bet,” she replies, popping the ‘t.’

Her hands are cold when she picks up my hand, which is heavy with the ring, and bends over to examine the diamond.

“Matteo has the best taste. Why he picked you, I’ll never understand.

I assume he’s in grief over losing his father.

They say don’t make hasty decisions when one’s had a major life event.

” She drones on. “The order you placed on Friday can’t be delivered in time, so you’ll have to find an alternative.

The tile company is running late today. I told them you’d be happy to stay late and lock the office behind you.

They can’t be on the floor without supervision.

The work order has to be signed. They are doing a bathroom today as a test. We have to make sure it’s perfect. ”

“Of course.”

She turns all my achievements into a mudslide of shit.

Matteo never mentioned that they knew each other. What are the odds that they are both from Italy and speak Italian?

My head is swirling. Matteo texts, but I’m too angry and busy to reply.

I take a few minutes to wolf down Federico’s Italian sandwich.

It’s made with homemade bread that resembles pita bread, but it’s light and airy.

As the leafy green lettuce protrudes from it, I take a bite and taste the fresh turkey and cheese.

Both are thinly sliced with a touch of mustard to the mayo spread, which is utterly delicious.

He must have baked a turkey while we were out yesterday. It’s that fresh.

I hear a commotion, and Matteo is leaning against a wall supporting my tiny office’s partition.

“Why haven’t you responded to my text?”

I quickly swallow and take a swig from my water bottle to wash it down.

“I’m sorry.” I stand.

Vito is behind him, looking helpless.

“You can’t go without answering me.”

“I’m sorry. I’m sure you have more important things to do. I was so busy...” My voice trails off as he raises his hand to quiet me.

“From now on, you answer,” he states like the mafia boss he is. All his orders are carried out immediately. I realized too late that I have to follow the rules as well. “I was worried about you.”

“Matteo, my dear,” Sophia appears in the narrow excuse of a hallway. He turns and greets her. She kisses both of his cheeks, and I’m enraged. She buries me in work out of spite, and now, she’s kissing my fiancé.

“Sophia, I trust everything is running smoothly. The floor has to be finished on time.”

“Oh, that. Yes, your protégé is incredible. She’s a hard worker. She even volunteered to work late tonight so I could leave on time for our dinner. You know how subcontractors are unreliable.”

“Unfortunately, I do.” He raises an eyebrow, and I can’t tell if he’s amused or overly kind to the woman he burned with a surprise engagement to someone else. I observe Matteo. What is he playing at? Why are they having dinner? He never mentioned it to me.

“Can I have a word?” I ask Matteo as Sophia stands devouring him with her eyes.

“Sure, Angel. Excuse me, Sophia,” he says as we walk past her and into the hallway where Vito gives us the room. This is why Vito’s presence didn’t raise any eyebrows. Sophia knows who he is and where he’s from. She must have assumed he was here for her or to protect his interests.

Matteo twists me into his arms, and his lips are on mine. I put my hands on his chest to ease his crushing presence that steals my oxygen.

“You never mentioned Sophia.”

“That’s my oversight. I’m sorry. I had a busy weekend. We’re having dinner to discuss the project. Did you volunteer to work tonight?”

“Well, you know, gotta be a team player,” I say as if I’m on a cheer squad for a Taylor Swift rally.

“Okay. Let me know if there are any issues. I have to run. Is that all?” He gives me a once-over, and I almost orgasm. He undresses me with his eyes, and I feel the heat building between us.

“Yes. I’m fine. See you later.” I turn to go, but his hand clamps on my wrist, and he pulls me into his chest, holding my hands in his.

“Not so fast,” he breathes before his lips cover mine for a deep kiss. “I didn’t come here for nothing,” he says before disappearing down the hall and leaving me wanting him.

I presume Gio is waiting for him downstairs. And, just as I thought, he knows how to access the entire building. I’m sure he’s only seen when he wants to be seen.

Considering someone might want him dead, I’m a bit giddy over his supernatural abilities.

Izzy texts and congratulates me on my engagement.

Thank you.

I didn’t know you were getting married so soon.

June isn’t soon.

Page Six has your wedding date in March.

March? There has to be a mistake. I thought it was June.

They don’t make mistakes. I hope you picked out a dress and have connections for a venue, or is it a destination wedding?

I have to go, but I’ll call you with the details.

Am I getting married in a few weeks? This is happening too fast. My head hurts thinking about what has to be done. How can I work and plan an impressive wedding?

Did Matteo plan the wedding without me?

* * *