Page 40 of Shadows of Steel

“You must eat as well.” He says at last, his jaw tight, as if the words escape against his will, reluctant, yet inevitable.

I don’t acknowledge the remark, nor do I push back. Instead, I simply reach for a croissant, tearing off a small piece.

Across the table, Mattia shoves the last bite of food into his mouth before rising, grabbing his bags in one swift motion. Without thinking, I stand as well, the movement instinctive, automatic.

“I’ll accompany him.” I say.

Dante’s brows lift slightly. “And why is that?”

I offer a casual shrug. “It would only be practical for me to know where your son attends school, wouldn’t it?”

He reclines in his chair, regarding me coolly. “You’d be far better served using your time to plan the wedding.”

I release a dry, mirthless laugh. “You have people for that. Better yet, you could call it off entirely. It isn’t too late, you know.”

His response is immediate. “I don’t believe I will.”

I smirk. “Exactly what I expected.”

Dante exhales, his gaze darkening. “You’ll have two additional cars trailing you.”

I arch a brow. “And why is that?”

His expression sharpens, his voice dropping to something hard and absolute. “Don’t think for a moment that I’ve forgotten about your stalker. I have no intention of taking unnecessary risks until that bastard is found. You are not to go anywhere unaccompanied. Is that understood?”

A chill prickles at my skin, but I nod. There’s no point in arguing.

And with that, I turn and follow Mattia out, forcing my mind onto anything but the weight of Dante’s words.

Firstly this wedding is a sham. Just business.

I repeat it to myself, hoping that if I say it enough, it’ll sink in.

And the stalker, there’s no reason to fight him on that. If anything, knowing I’ll have people watching out for me is a relief. Hopefully, he lost my trail in Palermo and remained there, though it’s unlikely. Still, I cling to that hope, because the thought of someone watching me, following my every move, sends an unpleasant shiver down my spine.

Outside, the driver stands by the car, already holding the door open. Mattia climbs in first, and I follow, the vehicle enclosing us as it shuts behind me.

As the car departs the estate, I glance at Mattia. He’s staring out the window. “You’re not fond of school?”

He offers a nonchalant shrug. “It’s fine.”

Yet, something in his tone suggests otherwise. I don’t push. Instead, I lean back, watching as the city passes by outside. When we finally pull up to the school, Mattia moves to open the door, but then stops.

“Don’t get out,” he says quickly, eyes darting to me. “I don’t need a mommy to kiss me goodbye.”

I blink, caught off guard by the sharpness in his tone.

“As you wish.” I say simply.

Mattia falters for just a second before grabbing his bags and stepping out. As the car pulls away, I watch him disappear into the building. Something stirs in my chest. A strange, unfamiliar ache.

I don’t understand it.

But I do know one thing.

That little boy just did something to me, and I don’t know how to make it stop.

Chapter 14