Chapter 8

8

MONA

I t's been almost three days since I saw Matteo. There have been no middle-of-the night visits. Why does that only make me more angry? It's stupid. I hate him; he's rude and bossy. Still, it's been messing with my head. I think I miss the man I met that first night. It's as if there are two different men inside of him.

I know this world. I understand the roles that all the men play in it. I witnessed my own father bringing women home under my mother's roof. I think I was holding on to some form of hope that I could salvage something with Matteo. Even when he's angry, I can still see that he wants me.

He doesn't want to want me. That's the issue. He hates who I am, and I can't change that. I was born into the O'Haire family. His own men can't be bothered to speak to me. I might get a yes or no from Sal, but that's about it. It could never really work between us. Any fantasy I've derived in my head is just that: a fantasy.

My hand goes to my stomach. How will he feel when he finds out he got an O'Haire pregnant? It will only be a matter of time until he notices. You can't very well hide a baby bump, but I have time to come up with a plan. Hopefully, it's better than the one my sister and I drew up about the loss of my virginity.

"Mona." Emma knocks on the door.

"Come in."

"Are you coming out of your room today?" What's the point? It's funny actually; I wanted out of here so badly but come to find out, it's safer in here. It's less awkward than being openly ignored.

"Not really my room." I wonder what would happen if I switched rooms.

"You need to eat."

"That is your all-time favorite thing to say."

"You'll go crazy in this room." Emma tries another angle. I think I might already be there. "Is there anything I can get for you?"

"A ride out of here?" Her expression tells me that's never happening. Emma's demeanor can fluctuate from being sweet to potentially threatening you with a knife. "A phone?"

"You want to call your sister." Her face softens. With her being the only one talking to me, I have told her a lot about my sister. I miss her so much. I also worry about what's happening at home with her being left alone to deal with my father and brother. I've always been there to shield her from their shit. Being here makes me feel helpless when it comes to protecting her.

"So badly." If only to check on her.

"I'll see what I can do if you come down and eat."

"Deal!" I rush over and hug her. "Thank you."

"I haven't done it yet. I'll have to speak to Matteo."

"Is he, ah, here?" I hate myself for asking.

"I'm not sure."

"Okay, I'll change."

"See you downstairs."

I dig through my boxes. They are still all by the door. I refuse to put them away into his closet. When I step out of the bedroom, I'm surprised not to see Sal there. There is a man I don't recognize. He is tall but thin. Tattoos run up both of his arms.

"Hi." I can't help but say it even though I know he will ignore me. It feels rude not to greet people when you come into contact. He gives me a chin nod. Thankfully he doesn't follow me. I pause when I get downstairs, hearing the sound of male voices. I'm shamelessly checking to see if it's Matteo, but it's not. I shouldn't keep listening. I know better, but then I hear my name.

"He's keeping her? A fuckin' O'Haire."

"What better way to stick it to the O'Haires than fucking one of their daughters?"

My stomach turns. In fairness, he hasn't had sex with me since he found out I am one of them.

"You think he'll marry her?"

"Naw, he said he wasn't." I don't know why that comment hits me as hard as it does.

"So, she'll be a mistress. I could get down with that. You think her cunt hair matches that red hair she's got?"

I can't stand to hear any more of their locker room talk, and I really don't want to get caught listening. I'm pretty sure one of them is the guy that's normally at the front door. I have no clue who the other is.

Tears burn in my eyes. I choke them down, making my way toward the kitchen. As much as it hurts, I need that reminder. Matteo is an asshole.

"Are you okay?" Emma asks when I enter the kitchen.

"Fine," I lie.

"Sit," Emma orders. She has a bowl of pasta already waiting. I drop down into the chair. I should try to eat even if I want to throw up. "Tell me what's going on."

"What's going on is I'm stuck in this house. Held against my will. With no communication with my sister." I shouldn't sound so flippant toward Emma. She's shown me nothing but kindness.

"And you want to go home?"

"I want my sister. I don't care about my home." If you can call it that. "I don't understand why I have to stay here. No one wants me here."

"Right." Emma laughs. "Matteo wants you here."

"I don't know why. The only time he comes near me, it's for—" My cheeks warm. I'm not used to openly talking about such topics.

"Sex?"

"Which he can get anywhere." Emma laughs again. I push the pasta around my plate.

"Honey, that man is obsessed with you."

"That may be true, but he doesn't want to be."

"Give it time. Matteo isn't used to this."

"What, and I am?" I push my plate away. Emma pushes it right back in front of me.

"I didn't say that. Just trust me when I say he wants you here."

"As much as the strippers he was with the other night?"

"Strippers?"

"Are you surprised?"

"Yes." I glance over to her, but she doesn't say more. As nice as Emma has been to me, I'm still an outsider. Still, I don't think she would lie to me. Why would she be shocked about the stripper thing?

"Can I ask you something?"

"You can ask me anything."

"And you'll answer it?"

"I didn't say that."

"Has Matteo been staying here?"

"You mean at night?" I nod. "Would it bother you if he didn't?"

"I thought I was asking the questions."

"He's been staying at his condo in the city."

That feels like the final blow. "I'm sorry. I'm really not hungry." I get up from my chair. "Think I'll go lie down."

"All right." Emma sighs, not fighting me about it.

If he doesn't have to be here, then I don't have to be in his stupid bedroom. I plan to remedy that immediately.