Page 228 of When We Fall: Part One

Matteo had laughed and shook his head at that. Before long, Rosalie returned with Alessio, her nails done.

“Let me see,” Matteo said, reaching for her hands as he greeted her.

She held her hands out to him, and he smiled. “They are perfect,bel fiore.Do you like them?”

“I do.” She nodded. “I like pink.”

“Pink French manicure. Perfect for you,” Matteo said. “The hearts are a nice touch. Alessandro, look.”

I got up, took in her nails, and smiled. They did look good.

“They’re pretty, LeeLee.”

“Vanessa did a good job.” She smiled as Matteo released her hands.

“Alessandro tells me you have a dinner meeting tonight with a record producer. This is exciting news,” Matteo said as Rosalie retook her seat.

“Uh, yeah. I’m nervous. When we leave here, we’ll get an outfit for me.”

“I can arrange something at one of my favorite shops,” Matteo said. “If you’d be OK with that.”

Rosalie glanced at me. I’d let her make that decision.

“I appreciate the offer, but I already owe you for the nails?—”

“Alessio. Set it up,” Matteo said. Alessio immediately pulled his phone out and made the call.

“Mr. De Santis?—”

“Matteo,” he corrected her.

“Matteo.” She cleared her throat. “You don’t need to do this. I-I can go into a boutique on the way home and grab something?—”

“You could, but that’s silly when I can access everything you’d need. Please. Allow me this joy,” he said softly. “I enjoy indulging women. My daughter is no longer here for me to offer these things to.”

“What about the girls in the palace? The ones who are enslaved? Who are sold by the hour? They deserve better.” Rosalie blurted out.

Fuck.

Before I could say anything, Matteo nodded.

“You do not like my business practices.”

“No,” she answered. “I don’t. I want to like you, Matteo. I want to believe you’re a good man. You can’t be a good man and do what you do.”

“Is Lorenzo a good man?”

She licked her lips.

“Does he not do what I do?” he pressed.

“He doesn’t have women forced into sex work.”

Matteo chuckled. “I will tell you a truth,bel fiore.The palace is not what you think it is. Indeed, many of those women are there for one reason or another. However, they can leave should they want to.”

“I-I heard some were in cages…”

“Some are in cages. Those are the ones who are very bad girls. They did terrible things. Those are the ones who suffer. Killers. Abusers. Thieves. Liars. They are dealt with. The otherwomen are free. They are taken care of. They earn their own money through their work. Some men only wish to have someone spend time talking to them. Others want to bury themselves inside something soft and warm. We cater to that, too. I do not, however, harm the innocent.”