Chapter Three

Matteo pulled his car up in front of the coffee shop and immediately saw Macy through the store's window. She waited on a customer, a megawatt smile gracing her lips. He hopped out of his car and hurried to the front door. The little bell dinged as he entered.

"Welcome, I'll be right with y—" She looked up, and smiled at him. "You."

Something beautiful and warm filled his heart. It should've scared the shit out of him, but instead, it gave him warm comfort. It was a feeling he wanted more of, especially from Macy. Her blue eyes sparkled. Her long hair piled up on her head, showing off her delicate neck. He had the strongest desire to suck on that soft skin and leave his mark behind. Possessiveness gripped him, and he wondered if he was losing his damn mind. He'd just met this girl the day before, and knew nothing about her.

He made a mental note to do a background check.

The woman in front of him finally finished her order and he stepped up to the counter.

"Hi," she said, a bit breathlessly.

"Hi," he replied back.

"Salted caramel latte and a black coffee?"

"It's just me today," he said. "Just a black coffee."

She nodded and turned to the large coffee machine, glancing over her shoulder. "What would bears be without bees?"

He shook his head. "What?"

"Ears."

Laughter spilled out of his mouth, surprising him. He honestly couldn't remember the last time he laughed so hard. Or maybe, he never did. Wasn't like he had a lot of things to enjoy and be happy with in his life.

Macy placed a cup of coffee in a to-go cup in front of him. "Here you go."

"Thank you," he murmured. He pulled out his wallet and placed a hundred-dollar bill on the counter. "The rest is for you."

"I can't accept that," she said softly.

He frowned, confusion filling him.

"I, ah, am uncomfortable with you leaving a big tip like that," she admitted.

"I can afford it," he assured her.

"I gathered that," she said dryly. "But you don't need to. Money is nice, don't get me wrong, but I'd rather just have your laughter."

Matteo didn't know what to say to that. He'd never encountered a woman who didn't want money or presents. How did he react to her statement? "All right. I suppose I can respect that. I may not like it, but I get it."

She beamed another smile his way. "So, don't worry about the coffee. My treat today."

"Macy," he said. "You don't have to do that."

"I know," she said, a bit bashfully. "I want to."

"So… I'd like to be honest with you," he said. She cocked her head waiting. "I couldn't stop thinking about you yesterday."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

"Really."

A touch of pink dusted her cheekbones. "I, ah, told my coworker about you."

"You did?" He smiled. "What did you say?"

"I said you had gorgeous eyes."

Matteo leaned closer. "So do you, baby."

The hue in her cheeks darkened and the bell over the door rang. He took his coffee and stepped to the side while she worked. After serving the customer, they were alone once more.

"Do you think you'd like to go out sometime?"

"On a date?"

"Yes. I'd like to take you somewhere nice."

Happiness made her eyes shine.

His phone rang and he pulled it out of his pocket, glancing at who was calling him this early in the morning. Fuck. His father.

"Unfortunately, I have to run, baby," he said. "I've got a meeting to get to. Are you busy tonight?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said, regret heavy in her voice. "I have a night job."

He frowned. "You work two jobs?"

"Yeah, here during the day and at an arcade at night."

"What about the weekend?"

"Right now, I'm only free on Sundays."

The bell dinged again, and Matteo knew he had to leave, although he didn't want to. Ignoring the customer that just walked in, he held out his hand to Macy. Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his, and he brought her knuckles up to his mouth to brush a kiss over them.

"I'll be back," he said. "I found you and I'm not about to lose you."

Giving the new customer a curt nod, he turned and left, holding on to his cup of coffee.

****

"You're late."

Matteo gave his father a one shoulder shrug and held up his coffee cup. "Had to get some caffeine."

Pietro Romanelli raised his hand and gave a dismissive gesture with his hand. Immediately, the two other people in the room rose and left. Matteo watched his father's accountant and lawyer close the door behind them.

"Report."

"I gave Roberto until Friday to get our payment ready," Matteo replied. "After that, I have a buyer in New York willing to pay top dollar."

"You think he'll come through?"

"Yes. I threatened his wife and kids."

"Good," Pietro said, satisfaction shining in his gaze. "Now I need you to visit Allegra. She missed her last payment, as well."

"Why are we suddenly having this rush of people thinking they don't need to pay us back?"

"Maybe we've been a little too lax recently. Time to remind people who we are. That they can't fuck with us without the consequences. I want you to make an example of Allegra."

Fuck, he thought. He hated hurting women, but his father's command was law. "All right."

"Last thing," Pietro said, drumming his fingers on the top of his desk. "I don't like how close the Iannuzzi Famiglia is touching our southern border. I want someone stationed down there to keep watch. The moment that fucking clan steps foot in my city, I want them crippled."

"It will be done."

Pietro waved his hand. "Dismissed."

Matteo straightened his suit coat, gave his father a salute with his coffee cup, and headed out. Rocco met him in the lobby and Matteo gave a nod with his head indicating for his lieutenant to follow. They headed to where his car was parked.

"You feeling the need for speed?"

"What?" Matteo asked, throwing him a confused look.

"You're driving the Aston Martin today," Rocco said as he slid into the passenger seat. "That usually means you're feeling stifled."

Matteo frowned. "Are you psychoanalyzing me?"

"Maybe," Rocco said. "At least just the psycho part."

"You're ridiculous."

He carefully put his still full coffee cup in the cup holder and then started up the engine. The car vibrated with its power and Matteo carefully guided the expensive car from the parking garage before stepping on the gas to head to the sex club owned by the Romanelli family.

"I see you stopped by the coffee shop again," Rocco observed.

"So?" Matteo said defensively. "It's good coffee."

Rocco held up his hands. "No need to bite my head off."

He let out a forced breath. "Yeah. Sorry. This whole fucking problem over the Iannuzzi is driving me crazy because it's driving my father crazy."

"Emphasis on the crazy," Rocco muttered.

"Watch it."

Rocco stared out the window for a moment. "What about the girl?"

Matteo tensed. "What about her?"

He didn't even bother denying who Rocco meant.

"Did you give her the necklace?"

"Dude, I just met her."

"Don't even pretend you didn't grab it for her."

"I'm not talking to you."

"Sounds like you are."

Matteo shook his head. "Nope."

Rocco rolled his eyes.