Page 22 of Third Crime’s A Charm (Princes Take New York #3)
Fifteen
M atteo made the most of Truman’s absence, bounding out of bed as soon as he left and quickly dressing for a run.
He was able to lose Neville in Central Park and came out by Rockefeller Plaza.
There, Matteo jumped into a cab and got out at Bryant Park.
He still had time before he had to meet Tiffany on the C train, so Matteo popped into a quiet deli for a bagel and lox and read a newspaper.
He had concerns that Truman would cramp his style but a paper bag with the prior evening’s score was tucked inside Matteo’s windbreaker. Truman had accompanied him to a dinner party and two other events and hadn’t interfered as Matteo “went to work.”
Back at the townhouse, Truman had pressed Matteo about his intentions for the jewels but it had been easy to deflect and distract him. They had sex in the shower and Matteo spent the rest of the evening on social media, monitoring news of upcoming protests and checking in with local groups.
Coverage of the party itself was sparse but it was widely known that a big event was happening at the St. Regis the upcoming weekend and that several of the city’s most powerful and wealthiest residents would be attending.
That was exactly what Matteo was counting on and the morning paper was reporting that two celebrity activists had arrived and were expected to join the city’s protesters in pushing back against corruption and greed within the government.
Satisfied that he was up to date on current events, Matteo boarded the C train and gradually made his way through the car until he spotted a statuesque Black woman with cyan blue hair. Matteo fell into the seat next to her and casually dropped the folded paper sack into her open tote bag.
“How have you been, beautiful?” he asked, leaning as if he was checking the time on the overhead display.
“Me?” she let out a belligerent snort while pretending to read something on her phone. “You went missing and gave half the city a heart attack.”
Matteo groaned as he sat back. “I didn’t realize so many people cared. But I was fine. Got swept off my feet, actually.”
She clicked her teeth, shaking her head. “I’m just glad you’re alright.”
“I need a favor,” Matteo said, changing the subject. They only had two stops before he got off. “There’s a picture and design specs for a jewel in the bag. Can you make me a good replica?”
“Whatever you want, gorgeous,” she said with a firm nod, keeping her eyes on her phone.
Matteo waited until everyone found a spot and the train departed to continue. “I’m afraid it’s a rush job. I need it by Friday and you cannot tell a soul. You don’t want to know anything about this but a cut of what I get for that replica will be anonymously donated to your shelter.”
“That would be wonderful but I’m happy to do it. You’ve already helped me raise so much money, ” she said with a watery laugh. Tiffany had no idea that her cut would be a quarter of the reward and Matteo wished he could be there to see her reaction.
“It’s good to have something worthwhile to do and keeps me from getting bored,” he said with a shrug. Tiffany made costume jewelry for several shows and pageant queens. “I’ll meet you here at the same time on Friday.”
“Perfect,” Matteo gave her hand an appreciative squeeze. “I’ll be ready with another delivery.”
“You’re an angel.”
“So are you.” He smiled, letting his gaze drift around the inside of the train casually before glancing at Tiffany. “I love that shade of blue!” he said as he gestured at her hair, then leaned closer. “It looks stunning with your skin tone and it brings out those beautiful brown eyes.”
She blushed as she slapped his arm. “What have I told you about flirting with me, sir? I’m the marrying type.”
“It’s a shame I’m not,” Matteo said, rising as his stop approached and winked at Tiffany. “Until next time, beautiful,” he said and moved toward the door as the train came to a jerking halt.
Matteo got out at 72nd, just across from the Olympia and hurried inside before anyone could stop him.
He took a quick shower and stuffed a garment bag with fresh suits and refreshed his toiletry bag, hitting the call button on the elevator in just under an hour.
For a moment, Matteo thought he was in the clear but a black car pulled up to the curb before he could hail a cab.
“Need a lift?” Max asked as the driver got out and retrieved Matteo’s bags.
“Danke!” Matteo replied brightly, then lowered into the back seat next to Max. “In the neighborhood?” He batted his lashes at Max as the car pulled into traffic, enjoying the way his eye twitched. It was almost as satisfying as needling Leo.
Max sighed, propping his cheek on his fist. “East 62nd Street, I presume?”
“As a matter of fact!”
“I really wish you’d reconsider, Teo. Truman Tennyson is…” He groaned as he lifted his cheek and rubbed his temple. “He is unsuitable.”
“I am very aware of his faults but Truman has his redeeming qualities.”
“Such as?” Max’s brows lifted expectantly.
“I’m sure you can guess.”
“He’s almost fifty. People are already talking.”
“Good!” Matteo said, then tapped his chin. “I’m sure you’re not making an issue out of Truman’s age. Isn’t Reid…ten years younger than you?”
“It’s not the same,” Max said with a dismissive sweep of his hand. “Reid had already established himself and his agency and we are both respected members of society. People are concerned about you. Look at how worried Muriel and your brothers have been.”
“Trust me, I don’t need reminding. I appreciate your concern but when have I ever given you reason to doubt me?
” Matteo said, his temper stirring. “I have always done my best to be charming and do whatever Leo and Theo want but you all flip out when I go to a few parties by myself and I meet a man.”
“It was a bit more than that. You disappeared for over a week and you met a dangerous man. Do you have any idea who Tennyson works for, the kind of people he knows?”
They didn’t understand what kind of man Truman truly was and just how much Matteo had done when his brothers weren’t looking. “I do, but that doesn’t have anything to do with us. Truman’s business is his own.”
“That’s not how it works. In his world or ours,” Max said wearily but Matteo sighed.
“I’ll be thirty-two in a few months, Max. I’m old enough to make my own decisions and I don’t need the Foundation.”
“We don’t care about the Foundation. We care about you ,” Max stated firmly. “All we care about is your happiness and safety.”
Matteo laughed softly, his heart lighter as he reached for Max’s hand.
“I know you all mean well, and I promise, Truman wouldn’t let anything happen to me and I am happy.
” That wasn’t completely true, but Matteo sensed that he was finally getting through to Max.
“You’re all worrying over nothing. We’re not even that serious.
I think Truman is…interesting and we’re enjoying each other’s company.
” He nodded because that was the truth and Matteo couldn’t explain to his prim and proper older cousin that he and Truman weren’t even friends with benefits.
They were…partners-in-crime-with-benefits.
Criminals with benefits? “We’ve only known each other for a few weeks.
Neither of us are taking this seriously and I wish you all would calm down. ”
“Are you sure? Tennyson isn’t the kind of man who flaunts his relationships, if he’s ever been in one. He’s strict when it comes to his privacy from all I’ve heard.”
“I wasn’t aware that either of us had anything to hide,” Matteo mused. “Truman is an attorney. Most of his clients are criminals but that doesn’t make him one by association.”
“We both know he’s more than that.”
“Has he ever been charged with anything?” Matteo asked but he wasn’t sure why he was still defending Truman. The man was more than capable of defending himself and Max wasn’t far off the mark.
I don’t even like him.
Matteo shushed and clasped Max’s hand. “You’re all making way too much of this. We’re just enjoying each other’s company.”
“Promise me you’ll be careful, Teo.”
“I’m always careful.” They were nearly there so Matteo demanded updates about Max’s daughters and grandchildren.
“Thanks for the ride!” he said when he was let out and the car pulled away.
“They’re worse than the CIA,” Matteo grumbled but smiled at the doorman when he was let into Truman’s townhouse.
“Honey, I’m home,” he called and jogged up the stairs and past the parlor level and into Truman’s suite on the fourth floor.
Truman was in his closet, removing his tie. “Where have you been? I just got back from Chicago and I hear from Neville that you’ve been gone all morning.”
“I went for a run and rode the train for a while, then I stopped at the Olympia for another overnight bag. Max was waiting when I came out.” He slid out of his coat and tossed it at a chair, nodding at the butler as his bags were brought in and taken to the other end.
“You should have told me, I would have called a car and you could have avoided him.”
“I didn’t want to take a car, I wanted to take the train. And I didn’t want to be tailed, so I lost Neville in the park,” Matteo said, leaning against the closet door and crossing his ankles. “Stop having me followed.”
“From now on if I’m not with you, Neville will be.” Truman pinned him with a severe look. “He asked about you and he wants you at the party.”
“Klasse!” Matteo said and gave him a thumbs up. “Our plan’s working.”
“He’s watching you, Matteo. Other people could be too, so do me a favor and let us know where you’re going from now on. Take my car and let Neville do his job.” Truman held his hands together and batted his lashes sweetly.
Matteo wasn’t going to do that. “I think it went well with Max,” he said, sidestepping the request. “I’ve just about convinced him to let it go. I don’t know why they’re all so freaked out about this.”