Matteo (The Syndicates series Book 1)

by Cala Riley

  “Shhh, it’s okay. Let me show you something.”

  Matteo takes my hand, helping me from the counter. He leads me up to his office, pulling me behind his desk.

  “You see this button right here?”

  I lean down to look where his hand is. “Yes.”

  “This is my panic button. If you press this, you’ll have over twenty soldiers here within several minutes. If you’re ever in trouble, you press this.”

  “Thank you. That makes me feel better.”

  “If you want, I could get you a cell phone. I haven’t because you didn’t seem to need one, but I want you to feel safe here.”

  “I don’t need one. I wouldn’t even know what to do with it other than call you. The only reason I even knew how to unlock Nico’s is because I’ve seen him do it a dozen times. I asked him once, when he was still talking to me. He explained that his phone would only open with his fingerprint.”

  He rubs his hand along his face. “I’ve failed you. I should have shown you this button and I should be teaching you things you didn’t get to learn on the streets. I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be. You haven’t failed me in any way.”

  “It feels like it,” he mumbles.

  “You need to remember; I’m used to the bare minimum. I don’t need much to be happy. Give me a warm place and a book and I’m good.”

  Matteo pulls me into his arms, hugging me tight.

  I don’t know who needs the comfort right now more, him or me.

  Alessia: Make sure you bring wine tonight.

  Me: Are you even old enough to drink?

  Alessia: Matteo…

  I laugh, picturing my sister’s face as I stand. Locking the screen, I slip my phone into my pocket and go looking for Vanessa. She usually reads in my office, but where I worked from home today, she made herself scarce. I find her in the bathtub, covered in bubbles, listening to some music on low.

  “I can feel you watching me.” She smiles.

  I push off the doorframe, moving toward her, and sit on the edge of the tub.

  “How’s your bath?” I ask, running my finger through the bubbles, catching flashes of her skin.

  “Good. Are you done working?” she tilts her head, looking at me.

  “I am.” I watch a bead of water trail down her neck.

  I want to follow it with my tongue.

  “What are you doing now?”

  “Now.” I stand, reaching for her. “We need to get ready.”

  “For?” Vanessa asks, standing.

  I groan, watching the water and bubbles slide down her perfect fucking body.

  “Matteo,” she chastises.

  I lean forward, licking her nipple, and bite it.

  “Where are we going, Matteo?” Vanessa hisses in pleasure and pain.

  “We’re having dinner with my mother and sister.” I lean in to give the other nipple the same attention, only to be pushed back.

  “What did you just say?” Vanessa demands.

  “Tonight we’re having dinner with my mother and sister, Alessia.” I look down at my watch and see the time. “You need to get ready, we need to be there in an hour and a half.” I step back, letting her step out of the tub.

  “Are you serious? I’m meeting your mother and sister?”

  “Yes,” I say, confused.

  Vanessa grabs a towel and screams into it before wrapping it around her body.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “What’s wrong?” She laughs with tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong is I’ve never done this before! I know nothing about your family. Hell, do they even know about me? Am I just supposed to walk in and have it be extremely awkward?” she rambles.

  I cover my mouth, so she doesn’t see me smile.

  “It will be okay, cara. I promise.” I walk out of the bathroom and sit on the foot of the bed. Pulling out my phone, I type out a quick text.

  Me: I don’t know if I’ve said it or not, but I’m bringing someone.

  Alessia: Iz?

  Me: No, someone else.

  Alessia: Matteo!!

  Me: Act normal. She’s skittish.

  “Please, for the love of all things holy, don’t tell me you just texted them to tell them I’m coming,” Vanessa whines, stomping into the closet.

  “I did no such thing.” I watch as she drops the towel. “And stop acting like a petulant child,” I warn.

  “Matteo,” she whispers a few minutes later.

  “Yes,” I say distractedly, scrolling through my messages.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I see her hovering by the closet door.

  “Why aren’t you dressed?” I frown, setting my phone down next to me. Giving her my full attention.

  “I don’t know what to wear,” she mumbles, biting the tip of her thumb.

  I walk over, pulling her thumb away from her mouth. “Knock that off,” I say, brushing past her.

  Frowning, I take in the few women’s clothes hanging.

  Is this all I’ve bought her?

  Does she need more?

  Quickly, I grab a navy blue dress off the hanger.

  Casual. That will work.

  Turning back to Vanessa, I hold out the dress. “What do you think?”

  “Thank you,” she says, softly taking the hanger from me.

  “Hey.” I grab her wrist before she can walk away. “It’s going to be okay, I promise.”

  She walks out of the closet, back into the bathroom, and shuts the door behind her.

  “I’ll meet you in the kitchen,” I yell through the door.

  Not waiting for a response, I head downstairs. Once in the kitchen, I open up the wine fridge and select two bottles of wine for tonight. Vanessa walks in as I set both bottles on the counter.

  She wears that dress like it was made for her.

  “You ready?” I ask, grabbing both bottles of wine off the counter.

  “As ready as I’ll ever be,” she mumbles under her breath.

  Walking up the front steps of the modest ranch-style house has me on edge.

  I take deep, slow breaths, trying not to lose my lunch all over his mother’s flowers. Matteo reaches for the doorknob right as the door swings open. A beautiful woman around my age blocks the doorway.

  “Did you bring the goods?”

  “Knock it off, Alessia.” Matteo sighs, holding up the wine.

  “Oh, fancy,” she teases, snagging both bottles from him.

  “Alessia, this is Vanessa,” Matteo says, pulling me close. “Vanessa, this is my younger sister, Alessia.”

  “Nice to meet you,” I whisper.

  “God, she’s adorable. Clearly not Italian, but adorable,” Alessia says to her brother. “Welcome to our home,” she says to me, stepping out of the way.

  Matteo pushes me over the threshold, stepping in behind me.

  No sneaking out now, I think when the door clicks shut.

  “Alessia, is that Matteo and his friend?” a woman yells from the back of the house.

  “It is,” Alessia hollers back, walking that direction.

  Matteo grabs my hand, pulling me alongside him.

  Does he know I’ll flee the first chance I get?

  “No running,” he rasps, pulling me along.

  “If I ran, it would only be back to your place,” I mumble.

  “Interesting,” he whispers.

  “Baby.” The woman smiles as we walk into the kitchen, looking at Matteo.

  “Ma,” he says, pulling her into a one-armed hug and kissing each cheek. “How have you been?”

  “I’d be better if you came around more,” she scolds, hitting him in the chest with a dishtowel. “Now introduce me to this beautiful creature,” she demands, looking at me.

  “Ma, this is Vanessa. Vanessa, this is my mother, Amara.”

  “Vanessa,” she says kindly, pushing Matteo out of the way and pulling me into her arms.

  Her hug is warm and comforting, but also strange at the same time.


  “It’s nice to meet you,” she says as she pulls back.

  “Nice to meet you too.” I blush, unsure what to do.

  “Do you need help with anything, Ma?”

  “Grab the breadsticks and salad and take them to the table.” She waves to the food on the island.

  Wordlessly, I grab the breadsticks and Matteo grabs the salad. I follow him into the dining room and can’t help but look around at the family photos.

  “I’ve asked her to take them down, but she refuses.” He nods toward the photos.

  “It’s nice. It’s a home, you know?”

  He tilts his head and is about to say something when Alessia walks in.

  “I can’t wait to hear all about how you two met,” she teases.

  I turn, looking at Matteo with wide eyes. I watch him hide his smile at my discomfort.

  Asshole.

  “They can tell us after we say grace,” his mother says as she breezes in carrying a large pan of lasagna.

  “That smells amazing, Ma,” Matteo says as he pulls out a chair for her.

  “Suck up,” Alessia mutters under her breath, making me smile.

  Matteo cuts her a glare as we both sit.

  “Matteo, you say grace.”

  He grabs my hand, setting it on the table and doing the same with his mother. I reach across the table and take Alessia’s hand.

  As he says grace I can’t help but wonder if this is what a family meal is supposed to look like. Photos of those you love on the walls around you, hearty food, and banter.

  Is this what I missed out on?

  “Amen,” they say in unison, bringing me back to the present.

  “Amen,” I say quietly, letting go of their hands and placing mine under the table again.

  “Don’t be shy, dig in,” his mother demands.

  As I reach for a breadstick, Matteo sets a piece of lasagna on my plate. I grab the salad, putting some on both of our plates.

  “Aren’t you two cute?” Alessia jokes.

  “Be nice, Alessia,” Amara warns. She turns to me. “So how did you meet?”

  “Uh,” I stutter.

  “We ran into each other in the middle of the street.” Matteo shrugs, taking a bite of salad. “She hasn’t been able to get rid of me since.”

  “That’s sweet,” his mother says.

  “How are your classes going, Alessia?”

  “Ugh, there’s this one professor who can’t make up his mind. He says he wants one thing, but grades another. It’s maddening!” she rants.

  I squeeze Matteo’s thigh. A silent thank you for getting the attention off of us.

  “You’re so overdramatic. I’m sure the teacher is just fine and you’re the problem,” Matteo tells his sister.

  Her face turns red. “Why are you always so mean to me? What if it is the teacher?”

  “Children,” their mother warns.

  Matteo ignores his mother. “If it is the teacher, then you tell me right now and I’ll go have a chat with him and make sure he’s fair to all of his students.”

  “You always go all alpha. It’s fine. I can handle my own battles.”

  “That’s what I thought.” Matteo leans back in his chair, crossing his arms.

  “Matteo, be nice to your sister. Alessia behave. We have a guest.” His mom says, turning to me, “Vanessa, are you in school?”

  I swallow hard. “No.”

  “I see. What is it that you do then?”

  I glance at Matteo.

  “She does independent studies, Ma. Not for school. She likes to read on her own to learn things.”

  “What’s your favorite subject?” she asks, staring me down.

  “Anything about psychology or how people interact with each other.”

  “I see. What do you do for work?”

  “Ma, can you stop giving her the third degree?” Matteo sounds exasperated.

  “I want to know more about the girl you brought home. You’ve never brought anyone here before.”

  “It’s okay, Matteo.” I place my hand on his knee. “I don’t currently work. When Matteo met me, I was homeless.”

  Both she and Alessia gasp.

  “Matteo, is this true?”

  “Yes.” He answers, grabbing my hand to hold under the table.

  “Oh, you poor thing. You look so young. What caused you to be homeless?”

  “I was in foster care. Let’s just say when things turned sour the streets were a better option.”

  “Matteo, you had better tell me you took this girl in.” His mom looks at him, tears clouding her eyes.

  “Of course I did, Ma. I couldn’t let someone as smart and beautiful as her live on the streets.” He leans over, kissing me softly.

  “What a sweet meet cute,” Alessia sighs wistfully.

  “Alessia. Show some respect. Living on the street isn’t some romantic notion.”

  “Sorry.” She looks dejected.

  “It’s okay. Your brother was my hero in a sense. He gave me a place to live and fed me.”

  “He’s sweet when he wants to be.” She sticks her tongue out at him.

  “When did things start to change?” his mom asks.

  I shrug, looking to Matteo.

  “I knew I liked her from the beginning, but I had to convince her she liked me too.”

  I roll my eyes. We are taking liberties with this story, but I’m sure he doesn’t want his mom and sister to know what really happened.

  “It was the time he spent with me. Talking to me about all the books I read. I think that’s when it changed for me,” I tell her.

  “You guys are too sweet.”

  His mom changes the subject then, giving me a wink. I give her a thankful smile. She must have been able to tell I was uncomfortable.

  The rest of the dinner was amazing. They talked about the old days, making me laugh with each embarrassing story about Matteo.

  He would turn red, but then he’d smile at me, letting me know he was okay with them joking at his expense. I don’t think I have ever laughed so much.

  Once it was time to go, they both hugged me and made me promise to come back. Matteo made the promise for me.

  Once back at the house, Matteo unlocks the door, letting me inside first. I go to the kitchen, putting the leftovers his mom forced upon us in the fridge. I smile when I remember her offering to help me cook. I hope he lets me take her up on that.

  Matteo comes up behind me, wrapping his arms around me.

  “You looked happy tonight,” he comments.

  “I love your family. They are funny and kind.”

  “They loved you. Ma pulled me aside while you talked to Alessia and told me how wonderful you are.”

  I beam at the compliment.

  “I’m glad she liked me. Thank you for taking me.”

  “Of course. We will go visit more. You’re expected at Sunday dinner every week now, too. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about something.”

  I turn in his arms. “What?”

  “I’m going to get you a code to the door. I don’t want you to leave without telling me and really would prefer I go out with you, especially after the attack on Nico, but I want you to feel like you have some freedom.”

  “Really?” I smile, feeling warmth spread through my body.

  “Really. When you said you didn’t know how to get out or get help, it hit me. I don’t want you to feel helpless. The whole point of bringing you here in the first place was to give you a chance to get back on your feet. Help you feel safer and stronger. I wanted you to be out of danger.”

  “Why?”

  “I don’t know. I saw you and this protectiveness swelled up inside me. I didn’t question it. I went with it.”

  “I feel safe when I’m with you,” I say, leaning up to kiss him.

  “Good. You should. I’ll never let anything happen to you.”

  He leans down, grabbing my thighs to pick me up and place me on the counter.

  “What are you doin
g?”

  “Rewarding you for being you.”

  He roughly spreads my legs and steps between them, crowding me. Matteo weaves his hand into my hair and roughly pulls my head back, kissing me deeply. He bites my lip, making me moan.

  “Ready to try something different?” he asks, nipping my neck.

  “Yes,” I whimper, wishing I could get closer to him.

  “I want you to strip and wait for me in the middle of the bed, facing the headboard. Think you can do that?”

  I nod, licking my lips.

  “I want to hear your words, cara,” Matteo demands as he slides me off the countertop.

  “Yes, sir,” I purr, unable to help myself. I watch his eyes dilate. “You like that?” I tease, cocking my head.

  “Get on the bed. Clock’s ticking, if you’re not into position by the time I get in there I’ll have to punish you.”

  I hum.

  Matteo slaps my ass. “Move.”

  I hustle toward his room, throwing one last look over my shoulder at Matteo.

  His eyes devouring my every move, making me feel alive.

  I rush into the closet, dropping my clothes into the hamper. As I walk toward the bed, I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror.

  Pebbled nipples.

  Flushed cheeks.

  Bruised lips.

  I blush, looking away and crawl onto the bed. At the last moment, I crawl onto the foot instead of the middle.

  I sit with my butt on my heels and my hands on my knees, facing the headboard. My ears ringing with my heavy breathing.

  When Matteo steps into the room, the energy shifts. I bite my lip, holding back my whimper.

  I want him.

  “You didn’t listen,” he rasps into my ear.

  My eyes close, and I sway in anticipation.

  Something soft covers my eyes, making me gasp.

  “I knew this tie would look good lying against you,” he mutters, running his fingers down the silk on my back, spreading goose bumps in his wake.

  “You did?” I breathe out.

  “Mmhmm. Crawl to the middle of the bed and wait on all fours. You need a punishment before we can move onto the pleasure.”

  I shiver as I move toward where I think the middle of the bed it since I can’t see.

  “Who says your punishments don’t bring me pleasure?” I quip.

  His hand caresses my backside. “Did you want a punishment?”