by L A Cotton
It started to ring, but before he could answer, I hung up, throwing my phone across the bed.
What the hell was I thinking?
Hopefully he was asleep and wouldn’t see the missed call until—
My phone began to vibrate.
“Shit, shit.” I snatched it back up and stared at Matteo’s number flashing across the screen.
Dragging my bottom lip between my teeth, I waited for it to stop. It did, and relief sank into me. But a couple of seconds later, it vibrated with an incoming text.
I almost didn’t open it, but curiosity got the better of me.
Caitlin?
My stomach fluttered. I could text him back. A text was safe, non-committal. A text didn’t mean anything. Before I could reply though, another message came through.
Are you okay?
I hit reply and started typing.
I’m fine.
Liar.
So you’re calling me in the middle of night to tell me you’re fine? I may have a pretty face, but I’m not stupid, Cait.
Gosh, the way he called me Cait. As if we were friends. Intimate. As if we’d known each other forever.
That single word wrapped around my heart and didn’t let go.
I had a nightmare.
Can I call you?
No, please… I can’t…
Okay, no phone call. But we can text? This is okay?
I chewed my lip again.
I guess so…
Did you wake Luis?
I didn’t want to disturb him. I’m a grown woman. I should be able to handle a bad dream.
We all get scared of the dark sometimes, Cait.
Was he trying to wear me down? Because there, in the dark of night, it was working.
He beat me to a reply again.
How do you like the cabin?
It’s very peaceful. I found a two-thousand-piece puzzle to keep me occupied
A puzzle you say? Sounds… riveting.
A faint smile traced my lips as I got comfortable and settled in to text him back. This was safe, reassuring in a strange way.
It wasn’t supposed to be, but there was no denying Matteo made it easy.
He had that night all those months ago, and he was doing it again now.
Caitlin?
He texted back when I didn’t reply.
I’m still here…
Good. I thought maybe you’d fallen asleep on me.
Not yet.
Oh, it’s like that, huh?
I’m sorry I woke you.
Don’t be. I was lying here awake anyway.
You were? It’s late.
Yeah, I have a lot of things on my mind.
The knot in my stomach tightened, guilt trickling through me.
Well, I feel better about not waking you now.
I’m glad you texted.
Me too.
It was the truth, I already felt better.
I meant what I said. You can text me anytime and I’ll answer.
I know.
Nervous energy vibrated inside me. I’d never had this. Genuine conversation with a guy. There was always something: the expectation of more, veiled threats, or the feeling of something owed. I wasn’t used to being… an equal.
In fact, I’d long given up on the idea. In my life, sex and attraction were weapons. Ones that had been used against me too many times.
And then Matteo texted me nine little words that told me exactly how different he was to every man I’d known before him.
DiMarco will pay, Caitlin. I promise you, he’ll pay.
I woke up with my phone on the pillow beside me. Matteo and I had texted late into the night. After he’d made his promise to make Zander pay, he’d turned the conversation to safe topics until I’d fallen asleep.
Grabbing my cell, I unlocked the screen and smiled at the message from him.
Good morning. I hope you managed to get some sleep.
I did, thanks to you.
Not exactly how I want to be remembered—for making women fall asleep—but I guess I’ll take it.
Laughter bubbled in my chest, but it was quickly dampened by another wave of guilt. He was flirting… and flirting was skirting a line I wasn’t sure I wanted to cross.
Not now.
Not ever.
I need coffee then a shower. Thanks again for keeping me company last night.
Things felt different in the harsh light of day. I’d been scared last night. Alone and vulnerable. But I didn’t need Matteo to chase off the monsters in my sleep now the sun was up.
“Coffee’s brewing,” Luis called from the hall. He must have heard me shuffling about.
I grabbed a hoodie and pulled it on over my pajamas and padded into the hall.
“Morning,” I said, joining him in the kitchen.
“Sleep well?”
“I… yeah, okay.”
“I thought I heard something—”
“I got up to get some water.”
“Sorry, I should have checked on you.”
I snorted. “I’m a big girl. I can take care of myself.”
“Noted.” He smiled, pushing a mug of coffee toward me. “What do you want to do today?”
“You mean, I have options?”
“You’re not a prisoner here, Caitlin.”
“No, I know that. I just… sorry,” I shook my head softly, “I’m being rude.”
“There’s some pretty neat trails in the forest, we could check those out.”
“You want to take me trekking through the forest?”
That seemed… weird.
“It sounds stranger than it is. Arianne thought you might like—”
“Ah, Arianne put you up to this.” I didn’t know why but disappointment welled in my chest.
It was silly. Of course she’d suggested it to him. Or ordered him to ask me. I wasn’t entirely sure of the nature of their relationship and how it worked.
They seemed friendly, but what did I know about these things.
Nothing, you know nothing.
I ran my thumb around the edge of my mug, not meeting his heavy gaze.
“She just doesn’t want you going stir crazy,” he said.
“It’s only been a day. I’m sure I’m good for a while yet.”
“You do have that epic puzzle to complete.”
“Exactly.”
I’d only picked it off the shelf on a whim, but it was fast becoming a metaphor for my situation.
“Well, I’m going to take a shower. If you want to venture out, just say the word. I’ll be around.” He tapped the counter, drained his coffee and then disappeared down the hall.
I considered his suggestion again. It was only a walk. What was the worst that could happen?
Besides, I had to leave here eventually.
Chapter 10
Matteo
“Expecting a call?” Enzo asked me with a frown.
“No. Just scrolling.” I pocketed my cell and tapped my fingers against the counter.
“Seriously, what’s up with you?”
“Nothing. I’m fine.”
“You seem—”
My cell vibrated and I whipped it out of my pocket, disappointed when I saw Arabella’s name.
“Okay, spit it out.”
I hesitated, unsure I wanted to put myself out there like that. But it was Enzo, my cousin, one of my best friends.
“She texted me.”
“She—” Realization dawned on his face. “Caitlin? For real?”
“Yeah. Last night.”
“And what did she say?”
“She had a nightmare and wanted to talk.”
“So you… talked?”
“Yeah.” I didn’t tell him that I hadn’t heard from her since our brief message conversation this morning. Even if it was driving me out of my mind that she hadn’t texted me back.
“See, I told you all she needed was some time.” My expression fell and he added, “Matt?”
“I want more.”
“Shit, yeah, you do. But she made it pretty clear last time—”
“I know. I wasn’t planning on doing anything stupid.”
Like turning up at the cabin unannounced, hoping she would let me in.
And then what…
I jammed my fingers into my hair and tugged the ends, reveling in the slight pinch.
“Did Lucino call yet?”
“Yeah, they arrived yesterday.”
“And?”
“It’s been a day, Matt. Give them a chance to feel DiMarco out. You know, your old man is going to lose his shit when he finds out—”
“Don’t.” My jaw clenched.
It was a risk not telling him what really happened, but Nicco was right—we needed to find out what went down first.
It was more than DiMarco deserved, but it wasn’t my call to make.
“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“That I want to break his fucking face.” I inhaled a shuddering breath.
“For her?”
My eyes snapped to Enzo’s, narrowing. “Why are you pushing me on this?”
“Because I’ve never seen you like this over a woman. I guess I’m trying to understand how you can feel so strongly for someone you spent one night with. It’s even worse than Nicco and Arianne, and I thought that was fast.”
“Thanks a bunch,” I murmured.
“Surely you can see it from my point of view?”
“It’s not something I can explain.” Frustration coated my words. “We had this… connection.”
“The sex was that good?”
“Oh, fuck off.”
“Relax.” He chuckled. “I’m joking.”
“You’re being an asshole.”
“I guess I’m just trying to understand. None of that shit comes easy for me.”
“You have seen yourself with Nora, right?” My brow lifted.
“She’s different.”
“I would hope so seeing as she’s got you locked down heading straight for wedding town.”
“Seriously?” He balked. “We’ve only been together a few months.”
“Like you don’t want to put a ring on her at the earliest possible moment.”
Enzo was a possessive asshole. No way he didn’t want to bind himself to Nora in every way possible, despite his reservations about relationships.
“Fine, you got me there.” He smirked. “But it’s all her. Only ever her.”
“She’s good for you, cous,” I said. There was silence between us for a moment while we were both lost in our thoughts, before I brought us back to present circumstances. “I still can’t believe Uncle Toni is in a coma.”
“He’ll pull through,” Enzo said with arrogant confidence. “He has to.”
“Yeah.”
But the truth was, I wasn’t sure he would.
I didn’t think anyone was.
They just didn’t want to admit it.
Enzo didn’t stick around. Arianne invited Nora over so naturally he went with her. They asked me but I didn’t want to play fifth wheel. Not today.
Not when I couldn’t get Caitlin out of my head.
How was your day?
I stared at the message I’d sent Caitlin ten minutes ago, willing her to reply. It was borderline desperate the way I clutched my phone, waiting. But I couldn’t help it.
The thought of her at the cabin, all alone—Luis hardly counted when he was security—was messing with my head.
When another couple of minutes passed, and she didn’t text back, I changed tack.
I’m guessing from your cold shoulder, you’re either too wrapped up in your puzzle to reply or Luis decided to take your phone off you.
You got me… this puzzle is addictive.
A smile tugged at my lips.
You know… I heard two hands are better than one.
Good job I have two then, isn’t it?
Laughter rumbled in my chest.
You got me there…
Don’t you have better things to be doing than texting me?
Aren’t you bored of your own company yet?
I have Luis to keep me company, remember? He’s really good at puzzles.
My laughter grew. This felt good. Safe and easy. She wasn’t ignoring me or telling me to leave her alone. I wanted to ask if I could go see her, talk in person. But I didn’t want to scare her off, no matter how hard it was to stay away.
I guess I should let you get back to your puzzle then.
The buzzer rang and I traipsed over to answer it. “Yeah?”
“It’s me,” my sister chimed. “I hope you don’t mind but I brought Sia with me.”
Great. Just what I didn’t need—babysitting my sister and cousin.
“Yeah, come up.” I pulled the door ajar and padded back to the couch, typing another reply to Caitlin.
Send help. My sister and cousin just turned up to terrorize me.
Sounds like you have your hands full.
You have no idea. Any suggestions on how to keep two teenage girls occupied?
Sounds trickier than my puzzle… trip to the movies? All teenage girls like that, right?
I’m not sure Alessia will want to go out.
Oh… is everything okay?
It’s Sia’s and Nicco’s father, my uncle. He isn’t doing so good.
I remember now. I’m sorry to hear he still isn’t doing well. Maybe a home movie night instead?
Their footsteps sounded down the hall, the familiar cadence of Arabella’s voice floating into my apartment.
Yeah, maybe. I should probably go see to them. Enjoy your puzzle.
Enjoy your babysitter duties.
“Who’s that?” Bella asked the second they came inside. I pocketed my cell and went to greet them.
“No one.”
“Yeah, I bet.” She smirked.
“How are you feeling?” I asked Alessia. She looked exhausted, dark circles ringing her eyes.
“I… I’m okay. They said he should wake up. That’s good, right?”
“Yeah, that’s real good, Sia.”
“Dad gave you a ride here?”
Bella nodded. “He and Mama are heading to the hospital to sit with Uncle Toni.”
“Make yourselves comfortable,” I said. “I can order some pizza and we can watch a movie? Might take your mind off everything.”
“Sure.” The helplessness in Alessia’s eyes gutted me. She loved her dad, loved him something fierce. If anything happened to him…
I shook the thoughts away. Uncle Toni would pull through. He had to.
The girls got settled while I grabbed a menu from the noticeboard. I might not have had anyone to lean on, not the way Enzo had Nora and Nicco had Ari, but I could do this for my cousin. I could be her person.
“What movie are you thinking?” I asked, diving onto the couch beside Bella.
“Scemo,” she muttered, and I chuckled. “How do you feel about Magic Mike?”
“Oh hell no. I’m not watching a bunch of dudes get naked and dance.”
“Insecure about your sexuality, brother?”
“Pulce.”
“Fine, we’ll pass on Magic Mike. How about the latest Marvel film then?”
“I can get on board with that.” I kicked up my feet and set about ordering the pizza.
At least entertaining the girls would keep my mind off Caitlin.
“Matt,” Bella’s voice trickled through my subconscious. “Matt…”
“Yeah?” I bolted upright. “Huh, what—”
“Your cell phone, it’s ringing.” She thrust it at me, and I blinked rapidly, trying to get my bearings.
I was half-draped on the couch, my neck stiff and my eyes weary. I must have dozed off during the film.
“What time is it?”
“Late; a little past midnight.”
“Shit. Where’s Sia?” I glanced around.
“She went to bed hours ago. You fell asleep and I was watching
Magic Mike, but it just finished. Who’s calling?” She motioned to the phone still in my hand.
It had stopped vibrating, but sure enough, there were two missed calls.
Luis.
“I need to take this.” Stumbling off the couch, I went over to the kitchen and dialed his number. The second he answered, I breathed, “What happened?”
“Shit, Matteo. I’m sorry I called. She’s awake now. She’s—”
“What. Happened?” I ground out, instantly going on high alert.
“She was having a nightmare, a real bad one, and I couldn’t wake her. I panicked and I didn’t want to disturb Nicco, not since Antonio is… and I tried Enzo, but it rang out. So I called you. But everything is fine, she’s fine.”
Yeah, fuck that.
I let out a weary breath and glanced over at my sister who watched me intently.
“I’ll be there soon,” I said.
“Matt, I’m not sure that’s a good—”
“I’ll be there soon.” I hung up and pulled up a new message, texting Alessia’s bodyguard. The building had its own security, but I wasn’t prepared to leave the girls without someone I trusted watching them.
“You’re leaving?” Bella asked.
“Yeah, I need to go check on… a friend.”
