Page 13 of Third Crime’s A Charm (Princes Take New York #3)

That was the plan and it was brilliant but the stakes were rapidly changing for Truman.

They had known each other for less than a week and Matteo would probably have left if it weren’t for the star and Donna.

But Truman didn’t waste time when he saw something he wanted and he knew that Matteo was worth more than money or screwing over Marty.

He had until the heist to win over Matteo, without giving him Peter’s name.

That was Matteo’s price at the moment, unfortunately.

Truman would have to find another way that didn’t involve sex because that had already backfired.

And Truman could tell by the way that Matteo’s body stiffened in his arms and slowly eased away that he was regaining consciousness.

Truman sighed and kissed Matteo’s hair, making him jump. “You’re awake,” Matteo said and Truman could tell by his tone and his posture that their truce was over.

“About last night, I—” Truman attempted but Matteo sat up and bounded out of bed.

“Nothing happened last night,” he said simply as he headed for the bathroom, barely glancing at Truman. “Time to get back to work.”

“Wait!” he begged as he followed and caught Matteo’s elbow, halting him. “I was an idiot and everything came out wrong after our clothes came off,” he said quickly. Matteo bit down on a smile and scratched the end of his nose with a knuckle.

“I wouldn’t say everything. And the parts between the talking were hot.”

“It was hot,” Truman agreed, hooking his finger under Matteo’s chin and tipping it back.

“I’m sorry I can’t tell you what you want to know.

I would tell you—I’d do anything—to have a second chance with you.

But I’d be putting someone else’s life in danger.

I’m already worried enough about you being connected to this. ”

Matteo’s eyes hardened and he sniffed as he pulled his face away. “They must be very important to you.”

“No, they’re not!” Truman laughed in disgust. “I wish it was for someone like you or Marie or Donna, but it’s about…doing what’s right and the principle of the matter.”

“The principle? What principle?” Matteo asked, sounding wary.

“Marty isn’t getting that sweetheart deal. Not for all the things he’s done.”

Matteo drew back, shaking his head. “That’s…your job. You’re his attorney… He’s your client and you’re supposed to—” he started angrily but Truman held up a hand.

“My clients don’t choose me. I choose them—I control them—and I decide who gets a deal and who gets punished.”

“That’s unethical! It’s illegal!” Matteo said loudly and Truman hushed him.

“We all know there are two different justice systems in this country. An attorney with half a brain can keep a rich man out of jail because it’s rigged to work like that.

What most people don’t understand is that there is another darker justice system, like the dark web, where criminals judge their peers and maintain their own order.

When you see a rat trying to cut a deal with the Justice Department, it’s because he’s running from something worse. ”

“Like you?” Matteo muttered, making Truman smile despite the accusation. He pushed out a hard breath as he nodded.

Truman didn’t want to scare Matteo, but to prove he could be trusted by owning up to the ugly truth. “You mentioned ‘the code’ before and how things work in polite society. We have a code too and trust me, you don’t need to worry over someone who’s been found guilty of violating it.”

“Trust you…” Matteo squinted, pausing thoughtfully before shaking his head. “I’m supposed to trust your code,” he said and pointed at his face. “And that this other person you’re working for isn’t a monster too. Forgive me if I’m still skeptical.” He turned to go but Truman stopped him again.

“Fine. You have every right to doubt me there and I’m going to work on that. But forgive me for being a clown last night. I know you don’t need a sugar daddy or anyone to protect you. You’re too independent and you’re too smart for something like that.”

“Am I?” Matteo asked, arching a brow. But he was smiling again.

“Way too smart,” Truman agreed. “I don’t know if we would have met if it weren’t for those diamonds. But if we had, I would have done things right and treated you like a prince because it’s what you deserve.”

There was another long pause before Matteo bowed his head. “Apology accepted. Thank you for telling me,” he said, giving Truman a glimmer of hope and a thread of reasonable doubt he could tug at.

“You have to see that I’d be nuts to blow it with a man like you over trash like Marty or some object.

Not when I have prettier things,” he said as he reached for Matteo’s cheek.

This time, Matteo didn’t pull away so Truman stepped closer and pressed a cautious kiss to his lips.

“I’d walk away from it if I could but someone else needs my help. ”

“That someone and your code is the problem, Truman. I have my own code too and I’m breaking it.

I don’t know how much of a crime I’m committing because your definition of justice and mine are very different.

” He gave Truman a quick peck, then pushed him away.

“Like I said, time to get back to work. And by work I mean breakfast.”

Truman let him go, trudging back to bed as Matteo brushed his teeth and started the shower. “I don’t know what you’re made of but go on without me.” He didn’t know if he’d made things better or worse with Matteo but Truman was too hungover to face Donna. “This is why I never drink wine.”