21. Luxtyn

21

LUXTYN

M atteo and I say our goodbyes and meet Rocco at the SUV.

"Back to the penthouse, Rocco," Matteo says.

"Yes, Boss," he says before driving back down the lit-up driveway to exit Mancini's estate.

Talking to—or I should say sitting with—Elena and Giuliana was nothing short of awkward and pointless in regard to finding anything out about my mom. I'm not quite sure why I thought that would work.

Giuliana sat there with a scowl on her face the entire time, holding back whatever it is she wanted to say while Elena didn't even acknowledge my presence. Conversation was not had with either of them, and after the disastrous dinner, it wasn't something I was begging for.

Matteo's face is void of expression as we silently make our way back to his penthouse. I'm dying to know if he got any information from Angelo, but he continues to sit there with his elbow propped up on the armrest attached to his door, resting his chin in his hand.

Nothing. He's giving me nothing.

What seems like an eternity passes by before he finally speaks. "I'm just waiting to see how long it takes before you crack and ask me about my conversation with your father."

The passing city lights allow me to see the smile break out on his face as he keeps his stare straight ahead at the back of Rocco's seat. He's joking with me right now?

Slowly, he turns his head, and his teeth are on display as he beams at me. Oh my gosh, he is joking with me right now.

"You think you're funny?" I ask, swatting him on the shoulder.

Enclosing his hand around mine, he drags the pad of his thumb along the lines of my palm, never taking his eyes off me. It feels intimate. Like he's searching my face for something.

"A genuine smile," he says softly.

"I'm sorry?" I ask, confused by his comment, which he subtly brushes off with a shake of his head.

"Are you going to ask me how the conversation went with your father?"

"You have me on the edge of my seat," I say deadpan.

He releases a long breath, which has my heart sinking into my gut. "He doesn't have anything at the moment."

Now it's my turn to let out a long, languid breath.

"But we're going to work together to figure out where she is. Between the two of us, we'll find her," he adds.

Tonight has turned out to be extremely unproductive. Just when I thought I might be able to help find my mom, I've proven to be useless. I have no idea why I was expecting to figure something out during this dinner, like I'm Nancy Drew cracking the clues to some easy case.

Staring out the window, I take in the lights of the passing cars before Matteo squeezes my hand, gaining my attention again.

"I promise I'm going to come up with a plan. We will find her, Little Lux. And I'll go to the ends of the earth to dismantle the bodies of anyone involved in her disappearance." He raises my hand and places a tender kiss on my knuckles. His soft lips cause my heart to flutter. Setting my hand back down on his thigh, he continues to hold it as he brings his attention back to his phone.

"Were you able to talk to him about taking over control of his port?" I'm not sure why Matteo wants control of the port so badly, but that's the only reason he agreed to marry me. Knowing he used me to gain access to it doesn't settle well with me, but isn't that what I'm doing to him too? We're using each other.

Without lifting his head from his phone, he says, "I told him we'll talk about it after we find your mother." Drawing his head up, he turns to look at me. "I want to focus on that first. That is my priority."

His declaration takes my breath away. "Why are you suddenly making this your priority?" This feels like more than a business transaction. It feels like he could actually care about what happens to me and my mom.

"We're married, Little Lux. It's you and I, you got it? I know our vows were done under not so normal circumstances, but they're vows, nonetheless. I plan on taking them seriously, and I hope you do too." I swallow deeply and nod because my mouth can't seem to form words.

Rocco pulls into the parking garage of the penthouse. As Matteo and I walk hand in hand into the elevator, thoughts of what's going to happen once we get to our floor swirl in my mind. When we walk to our rooms, will Matteo come to mine? Am I expected to go to his? Am I overthinking this? He wants to act as husband and wife, so what does that mean exactly?

The ding of the elevator pulls me out of my spiraling thoughts. Stepping onto our floor, we walk down the hall toward our rooms. The thud of my heartbeat is synced with our footsteps as we get closer. It's as if it's happening in slow motion. But before a decision is made, the loud, yet comforting voice of Enzo interrupts us from the living room.

"So, how was dinner with the in-laws?" he calls out from the couch. Matteo brings us to a stop, but before he can respond, I blurt out an answer.

"Unproductive."

Enzo hops up to a seated position on the couch. "Mancini hasn't been able to figure anything out either?"

Matteo shakes his head. "Nothing."

"I had a few gang members shake up one of Silvestri's soldiers down off thirtieth like you asked to see if getting one of his made men to talk would be possible, but no luck. He says he has some information, though. Information we'd find interesting."

"What's a made man ?" I ask, suddenly feeling ignorant as I listen to the terms they toss around when they talk about their world.

"It's a fully initiated member of the Mafia. They start as associates, but once they've been initiated, they become soldiers," Matteo answers.

"But not all associates become made men. Only the fancy ones," Enzo says with a wink.

I love his ability to lighten the mood.

"Enzo, I don't hear the movie starting. Why don't I hear the movie starting?" Izzy walks in wearing a matching light-pink silk short set with black piping lining the edges. Her face lights up as it settles on Matteo and me. "Oh perfect! You're both back, which means we need more popcorn," she says excitedly as she rushes over to Enzo and shoves the bowl of popcorn into his hands. She turns back to us. "We were just about to watch a rom-com. You can both join!"

Watching a rom-com. Like my mom and I would be doing right about now if we were back in our little apartment down in Florida. I try to brush that thought aside, knowing that I can't get lost in my emotions. I need to stay strong and hold onto any and all hope that we will find her.

"We're going to pass on the rom-com," Matteo says before directing his attention to Enzo. "But I am interested to hear what Silvestri's guy had to say."

"Oh, come on, Matteo. You never hang out with me. I came all the way into the city to spend time with my brothers. Plus, I want to get to know my new sister-in-law. Are you really going to deny me that?" Izzy pouts her lip and gives her brother puppy dog eyes that nearly have me caving.

"Another time, Isabella. It's already getting late, and I want to hear what information Enzo got today."

"Ugh. Fine. Well, if you're going to be lame and talk all business, at least let me hang out with Lux while you do it."

Matteo glances down at me. "Are you okay with that? I don't want to force you to entertain my sister. She can be. . ." He pauses as he ponders the right word to use.

"I can hear you," Izzy states, which doesn't faze him as he finishes his thought.

"A lot."

I giggle softly. "I don't mind." And I don't, which is a new feeling for me. Hanging out with people, making friends, it's never something I cared to do in the past, and yet here I am, more comfortable with these strangers that are now my family than I've ever been with anyone else.

Izzy claps as she prances up to me, then loops her arm through mine. Matteo leans down, brushing his cheek against mine and whispers, "I'll be there in a few minutes." The hairs on the back of my neck rise as his warm breath dances across my skin. I give him a small smile before descending the hallway with Izzy intact.

Upon entering my room, Izzy jumps on my bed and makes herself comfortable among the ridiculous amounts of throw pillows.

"So, Lux, tell me"—Izzy lifts her brows in curiosity—"what did you have that my brother wanted so badly that he was willing to marry you?"

I nearly trip over myself as I shut the door. "Um. . ."

"Marriages in our world are purely transactional. They're only arranged to benefit both parties. Besides," she says with a shrug, "my brother has never been interested in love, so you must have something that he wants for you to get on his radar the way you did."

I guess that's true.

"It'll be the same for me," she continues. "One of these days, I'll be married off to someone to benefit our family. Just like it's always been done." She gives me an expectant look like I should know arranged marriages are common.

"And you're okay with that?" I ask as I climb up on the edge of the bed and lean over to untie my boots.

"I guess. I don't really have a choice."

I glance at her over my shoulder as she plays with the ends of her hair, which is still as perfect now as it was a few hours ago. Her somber eyes are focused on each strand as she runs her fingers through them.

"Arranged marriages seem like an outdated practice. Maybe you can fall in love with a really great guy and a marriage will naturally progress for you."

A sliver of sadness passes through Izzy's eyes before she quickly recovers, brushing it off like it never even happened, but I saw it. It was almost like there was a longing there.

"There's no point in combining two families unless each family is getting something out of it." She offers a relaxed shrug. "And I know that. I've known that my entire life. I was raised to do right by my family, and when my time comes, I will."

Sitting up straighter, she props herself up on the pillows with her legs stretched out and her hands folded in her lap. Pasting that beauty queen smile of hers back on, she puts the focus back on me. "Anyway, enough of that. Now, tell me, what sealed the deal between you two?" Raising a brow at me, she continues. "There's not much my brother needs or wants , so you have me intrigued."

I chuckle as I brush a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "I'm surprised Enzo didn't catch you up."

"While he's definitely the gossiping type, he wouldn't tell me a damn thing over dinner. If you ask me, I think he enjoys holding things over my head. He loves knowing information that I want to know. He's kind of an ass like that."

"You know, I can see that," I say, pursing my lips. "He seems like the type that likes a game. Wants to dangle that little piece of information over you like bait for a fish. Just to keep you interested until you're hooked."

"Precisely. Gosh it's so great having some estrogen around this place. I've been stuck with too much testosterone lately. Ever since our. . ."

Before I can ask what she was going to say, a knock comes from my door. I hop off the bed and open the door to Matteo holding a shirt in his hand. His intense gaze pins me in place. Opening the door wider, I gesture for him to come in.

"And that is my cue to go," Izzy says before jumping off the side of the bed. She bumps her hip into mine. "We'll pick up this discussion tomorrow. You have no plans, right?"

"She does, actually," Matteo answers for me.

I raise a brow at him. "That's news to me."

"I thought you might want to get some clothes so you don't have to prance around half naked anymore."

"Half naked is fun, though," I tease.

Cocking an eyebrow, he says, "We're going shopping, and that's the end of that."

"Hold on. You're going shopping?" Izzy's brows shoot to her hairline as she points at Matteo. "You don't like shopping. You don't even do it for yourself."

She glances at me, and a sly smile pulls at her lips before she turns her attention back to Matteo. "Why don't you have me take Lux shopping? Seems more up my alley than yours, don't you think?" She gives me a quick wink, and I don't understand why.

"No," he gruffs out, and even I feel the finality in his tone, as it pulls my shoulders back.

Tilting her head, she narrows her gaze up at him, studying him. "Interesting." That's all she offers before turning to me and saying, "I'll see you tomorrow, Lux."

She brushes past Matteo, and before he's able to shut the door, he calls out behind her, "You're staying the night, I presume?"

"Duh. You've left me home for too long by myself. I'm bored," she calls out, her voice getting more and more faint as she walks down the hallway.

"You have another home?" I ask as Matteo shuts the door and turns around to face me.

"Yeah. It's my family's home located about forty minutes out of the city. Some place to call a real home."

A real home. That's something I've never had. My mom and I moving around so often made that difficult. By the time I finally got comfortable in one town, it was time to pick up and move again. I wonder if I'll ever get a taste of this real home of his. Or am I just the wife locked in the confines of the not real home penthouse?

"I can see the wheels spinning in that head of yours." He closes the space between us with one long stride and cradles my cheek in his hand, peering into my eyes. "Ask me."

"A-ask you what?" I croak out, my voice hoarse and dry. He's so close to me I can feel the warmth of his breath on my lips. Is he going to kiss me again? Because that kiss we shared earlier, that kiss was nothing but passion. Hot, fiery passion that ignited something within me that has me yearning for more.

"You tell me, Little Lux." And there he goes with that nickname again. It sends a shiver down my spine. A tingle that spreads warmth throughout my body starting at my core and spreading through every ligament and joint.

"I was just thinking about this home of yours."

"And?"

"And if I'll ever be someone that gets to see it or if I'll just be the wife that gets the penthouse version of you."

He feathers my cheek with the pad of his thumb. The caress is so light. So smooth. So endearing. Then he drags his fingers down to my left hand and lifts it between us. Rubbing his finger over my wedding band, he says, "This. This makes you my family." He brings his gaze back to mine. "The penthouse is faster to access when working in the city, and since I've been spending more time here, it's been easier to keep you here. Close to me."

Close to him. It takes a lot for me not to laugh at the statement since he's been doing nothing but avoiding me since I got here .

"I know I haven't been the best husband?—"

I scoff.

"But I plan on changing that. Starting with a shopping trip tomorrow to get you whatever you need to make yourself more comfortable."

I glance down to the shirt in his hand. "Is there a reason you're carrying around that shirt?"

He releases a soft chuckle as he steps back and holds it up to me. "I figured you'd need a new shirt to wear. Since you got yours dirty and all."

I laugh so hard a snort escapes my nose, which I try to cover with a cough. I fail so miserably that I just keep laughing. "Is this your way of telling me you don't want me to wear Enzo's shirts anymore?"

His gaze darkens. "Shirts?" he says, raising his brows. "He gave you multiple? Of course he fucking did," he grumbles, and I can't help the smile that pulls at my lips. Jealousy isn't a trait I'd find attractive in a man, but Matteo green with envy does something to me. I like knowing his reaction to Enzo is the same reaction I had before I found out Izzy was his sister.

Shaking my head, I say, "No," with a chuckle under my breath. "He just gave me the one. But he did offer me some more if I ever need any." I had to throw that last jab in just to mess with him.

Matteo pulls away from me. "That's it. He's fucking dead."

I wrap my fingers around his wrists. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding!"

He turns back to me. "You were almost responsible for the death of my brother, you know that, right?" he grumbles out.

"I know. I'm sorry. But I couldn't help it. The way you reacted. It just made me want to mess with you a little bit," I say, holding up the little bit of space between my two fingers.

Matteo tosses the shirt onto the bed and pulls me into his arms. Wrapping his hand into my hair, he tugs it slightly. Not too hard, but just enough for the pressure to force me to look into his eyes. "You better be careful, Little Lux. That mouth of yours is going to get you in trouble one of these days."

I wrap my arms around his neck. "Is that a threat, Matteo?"

"It's a promise," he says before closing the distance between us and taking my lips with his.

He doesn't have to beg for entrance, as I part my lips, eager for his tongue to fill me. The taste of whiskey still lingers on his tongue as he thrusts it into my mouth, searching for mine.

The kiss becomes heated, our mouths becoming one, as he moves his hands to my hips and lifts me up like I'm nothing but a feather. He walks us back toward the bed and sets me down on the comforter, then hovers over me, placing his knee between my legs as he nudges it against my core. I squirm beneath him at the pressure. Excitement runs through my body, fueling me to keep going.

I graze my nails up his back, and he shivers beneath my touch. He moans into my mouth, setting that inferno blazing even hotter inside me. I love that I have the same effect on him as he does on me.

A knock sounds from the door, but we both ignore it, as we can't seem to get enough of each other. I pull him down, forcing him to collapse on top of me, and I welcome the weight.

Another knock sounds on the door, this time accompanied with Enzo's urgent voice. "Teo, we need to get going."

Matteo grunts but doesn't let up on me as he continues thrusting his tongue in and out of my mouth.

Enzo's voice breaks through the imaginary barrier I've put up around us again. "I'm not trying to be a cock block, guys, but I'm going to be a cock block. We need to go, Teo. Now. You can lick Lux's pussy later." He pounds on the door one last time. "Let's go! I'll be by the elevator."

His abrasive comment pulls me out of the moment, forcing me to detach myself from Matteo's lips and look up into his darkened eyes. I'm sure the look of horror is written on my face. "Oh my gosh," I say. The only words that come to mind at that moment.

Matteo lets out a sigh before lifting himself off me and smooths the wrinkles in his shirt. "I'm sorry about that," he grumbles. "You won't have to worry about him again."

Propping myself up on my elbows, a small laugh escapes my lips. That might've been embarrassing, but I'm finding a home in Enzo's comedic, over-the-top personality. "It's fine. Really," I say, brushing it off. "Where are you guys going?" It's late and something tells me this has to do with whatever Enzo told him he found out earlier.

"We have to go and meet a guy," he says. Is this what it's like being married to a Mafia man? Secrets on what he's doing and where he's going?

My shoulders sag and the frown that's found its way onto my face doesn't go unnoticed by Matteo.

"Hey," he says as he climbs back over me. "There isn't much to tell you right now, but if I find anything out about your mother, I will let you know."

He presses a delicate kiss to my lips before climbing off me and opening the door. Before exiting, he locks eyes with me. "I won't be back for a while, so don't wait up, okay?"

I'm disappointed but don't let that play out on my face. I fake a smile as I push myself up to a seated position. "I'm exhausted anyway, so I'll just see you whenever I see you."

Something passes in his eyes at my words. At my tone. Maybe I played that off too cool. But he nods before shutting the door, and I'm left alone in this room I've gotten far too acquainted with lately.

After taking a shower and brushing my teeth, I get into bed in nothing but my red boy shorts and the plain black tee Matteo brought me.

His woodsy spice scent envelops me as I fall into the abyss of the mattress. I'm tempted to keep myself up until he gets back, but it feels like no more than two minutes passes by before the weight of my eyelids becomes too much, and I'm carried into a deep sleep.