“I’ve never seen anything like it, and I’ve seen a lot in my time,” he said. “She was wild… thrashing and fighting some invisible monster. I couldn’t wake her…”
“You did the right thing calling me.”
“Did I? The second I told her I had, she lost it.”
Fuck.
“Did she tell you what it was about?” Although I had a pretty good idea what haunted her dreams. Or rather, who.
“No. Wouldn’t say a word.”
I took a long pull on my beer, stretching my legs out before me. I felt calmer now I was here, knowing she was sleeping in the next room. The urge to storm in there and check on her simmered beneath the surface still, but I could think clearly enough to know that probably wasn’t the best idea—not if I ever wanted her to talk to me again.
“What happened to her?” he asked, his eyes narrowed with grim curiosity.
“We still don’t know for certain. But we know enough that Zander DiMarco will get what’s coming to him.” Anger skittered down my spine. I’d never felt so much wrath as I did for him, and the last few months hadn’t exactly been a walk in the park for my cousins and our family.
I glanced back at the hall, imagining Caitlin curled up in bed asleep. If I could just see her for a second, see with my own eyes that she was okay.
“A word of advice from someone much older and wiser than you,” Luis said, drawing my attention. “Whatever’s running through your head right now… Don’t do it.”
He was right. Of course he was fucking right.
But I wasn’t sure I could listen.
For once in my life, I wasn’t sure I could be the better man.
Until a small voice startled me.
“Matteo?”
My heart almost lurched into my throat when I turned and met Caitlin’s weary gaze.
“You came,” she choked out.
I got up and strode toward her, only stopping when I was in touching distance. She stared up at me, fear and something I wanted to believe was relief glittering in her eyes.
“Yeah,” I said, curving my hand around the back of her neck and drawing her close. “I came.”
Chapter 11
Caitlin
Matteo held me, his big muscular arms cocooning me, shielding me from the world.
My fingers twisted into his jacket as I breathed him in.
“Shh, Tink, I’ve got you.”
My body trembled as I sobbed into his chest. When I’d woken up with a start, and heard his voice, anger had flooded me… but it quickly melted away when I realized he’d come for me.
I tried to make out I didn’t care to protect myself, but really it meant more than I could ever put into words.
Luis gave the two of us some space, mumbling something about retiring for the night. Matteo thanked him before guiding me over to the couch and pulling me down beside him.
“How are you feeling?” he asked.
“I can’t believe you’re here.”
His hand rested against my cheek, his thumb brushing a soothing line over my jaw. “I told you, I will always come.”
Why, I wanted to ask, but I swallowed the question. Part of me knew why; I just didn’t want to admit it.
“Do you want to tell me what happened?”
“It was just a nightmare. I get them sometimes.”
“About DiMarco?” His eyes narrowed, searching my face for answers I didn’t have.
“Zander DiMarco isn’t the only monster I’ve ever faced, Matteo.”
God, why did I say that?
He went rigid. “What does that mean?”
“Nothing,” I sighed, glancing away. “Forget I said anything.”
Matteo slid his fingers under my jaw and gently tilted my face up to meet his. “Talk to me, Caitlin. That’s all I’m asking.”
My shoulders sagged a little at his admission. Not that I expected him to try anything—I didn’t get those vibes from Matteo. Besides, he was clearly very against hurting women. But still, I’d fallen for that act before.
Even though I wanted to trust him—and I did—I needed to keep my wits about me.
“You know, not a single day has gone by when I haven’t thought about you,” he said quietly, so quietly I almost missed it.
“Matteo.” I breathed out slowly. “You can’t say things like that to me.” Peeking up at him, I studied his face. Strong jaw and glittering blue eyes. His dirty-blond hair fell over his face, and the smattering of stubble on his jaw sharpened his boy-next-door good looks.
“Just did, Tink, and I don’t regret a single word.” He gazed down at me, and I felt the strange tug between us. I’d felt it that night all those months ago. I’d felt it again when I saw him standing there in the hospital… and I felt it now.
No one had ever made me feel the way Matteo Bellatoni made me feel. And that was a dangerous thing.
“You can’t call me that anymore. I don’t have the t-shirt.”
My Tinkerbell t-shirt was my favorite thing and I’d worn it the night Matteo and I spent together. But it was with the rest of my things at my apartment—the one I could never return to, all thanks to Zander’s temper.
“You’ll always be Tink to me.” Matteo brushed the hair from my face and smiled, and damn if my heart didn’t flutter wildly in my chest.
This man. This determined, gorgeous, honest man.
“What?” he asked, and I realized I was gawking at him.
“Nothing, it’s late. You probably need to get back—”
“Cait, stop. I came to make sure you’re okay. I’m not going anywhere.”
“But—”
“No buts.” He pressed his finger against my lips and my breath caught. “I can take one of the guest rooms.”
“You’re staying?”
“Yeah. In the morning, I’m going to feed you breakfast, and then you’re going to show me how much progress you’ve made on that puzzle.”
“You’re serious?”
“Do I look like I’m joking? Now, let’s go.” He got up, pulling me with him.
“Uh, go where?”
“To bed. You just said so yourself, it’s late.” Hands on my shoulders, Matteo gently nudged me down the hall, stopping at my room. “You’ll be okay?”
“I… uh, yeah.” I glanced back at him.
“Okay.” He nodded. “You need anything, just shout… or text. I’ll leave my phone on.”
“You’re going to go stay in one of the guest rooms, just like that?”
Matteo’s brow furrowed. “Yeah, why?”
“I… nothing.”
I wasn’t used to this. I was used to men taking what they wanted, when they wanted it. The desire in his eyes was obvious. The way the air crackled between us whenever we were near. Matteo wanted me—he just wasn’t going to do anything about it without my permission.
He chuckled. “I am quite capable of being around you and controlling myself, you know.”
Heat flooded my cheeks. “I wasn’t… that’s not…” Oh God. He was looking at me with so much yearning, I felt stripped bare.