Stolen Queen (Dynasty of Deception #4)

4. Matteo

4

MATTEO

I watch as Ava tilts her head back, her delicate throat working as she swallows the shot. Her eyes water and she coughs, sputtering adorably as the liquor burns its way down. A grin tugs at my lips despite my best efforts to remain stoic.

"How was it?" I ask, trying not to lean over and kiss her. In this moment, eyes bright, cheeks rosy, lips shiny with minty liquor, she’s amazingly beautiful.

"It's… strong."

"That's one way to put it." Perhaps I should have picked something else, but I figure Rumplemintz is a good first shot. It’s strong but sweet.

Ava's eyes narrow playfully. "I like it.” To prove her point, she signals the bartender for another round. I raise an eyebrow, both impressed and concerned. This girl is full of surprises.

As we wait for our drinks, I study her profile. In the dim club lighting, the mark on her cheek is less noticeable, but knowing it's there makes my blood boil. I want to fucking rip Vincenzo’s arms from their sockets and beat him with them.

The bartender slides two more glasses our way. Ava reaches for hers without hesitation, but I place my hand over the rim of her glass.

"Slow down, princess. You've got nothing to prove here."

Her eyes meet mine, a flash of defiance in their depths that makes something in my chest shift. "Don't I?"

The simple question hits me harder than I expect. She’s not trying to prove anything to me. She wants to be her own woman. This is about proving to herself that she’s not anyone’s pawn. Except she is. The risk she’s taking by being here is greater than maybe she realizes.

"Not to me," I say softly.

Ava's lips curl into a mischievous smile. "Are you sure this isn't poison? It certainly tastes like it could be."

I laugh at her playful accusation. "If it is, we're both in trouble now."

She giggles, the sound light and carefree. It's a contrast to the prim and proper facade she wore earlier at dinner. The alcohol's starting to work its magic, melting away her initial nervousness. It’s nice to see, and yet, I know I need to tread lightly. I’m not as concerned that we’re serving an underage minor, something I’ll need to talk to the entry staff about, but that she’s so inexperienced in the adult world. But it’s hard to keep my focus on doing what’s right when she looks at me with a sparkle in her eyes at her newfound excitement.

"You know," she says, leaning in conspiratorially, "I've always wondered what it would be like to be… normal. To do things like this without worrying about disappointing everyone."

The vulnerability of her words tugs at something deep inside me. I want to take her away from all this and show her the world, help her find her agency in it. And yes, give her a first kiss… a first orgasm. I've seen countless women in various states of undress and pleasure, but none have affected me quite like this fully-clothed, innocent Mafia princess sipping her second shot of liquor.

"And? How does it feel?"

Ava takes a moment to consider, her brow furrowing adorably. "Liberating. Terrifying. Exhilarating. All at once."

I nod, understanding completely. "Freedom often feels that way at first."

“Is this how Lana is? She’s always so strong, unafraid.”

This tells me that while Ava is quiet and dutiful, she’s observant. “Lana is her own woman.”

“Her father didn’t…?” She trails off.

“Old Man D’Amato did his best to stifle her independence, but Lazaro… well, she had an ally in him. And now Elio respects her. She’s proven her place in the family business.”

“And she’s going to marry a cop. My father says Elio is an idiot.” Her hand covers her mouth, and her eyes widen as if she wishes she hadn’t revealed so much.

“Your father sure has a hard-on to work with Elio for someone who thinks he’s an idiot.” Granted, I’ve had concerns about Lana’s fiancé, Henry, but I trust Lana and so far, Henry has been helpful to the family, saving Lana and later helping Lazaro.

“He wants the deal he made with Elio’s father.”

I wonder if she’s disappointed she didn’t get to marry Elio, and now her marriage to Lazaro is off. A flare of jealousy lights in the pit of my stomach.

“How do you feel about it?” I ask, wishing I hadn’t.

She shrugs. “I don’t want to talk about it. This night is about forgetting all that.”

She is disappointed, and I suppose I don’t blame her. She’d have a freer life with the D’Amatos.

“Alright. What do you want to talk about?”

“Why are those women nearly naked?"

I practically snort out my shot. “Sweetheart, you’ve wandered into a gentlemen’s club for your adventure.”

She stares at me like she doesn’t know what I’m talking about. It’s a reminder just how sheltered and innocent she is.

“It’s a sex club.”

Her eyes widen and for a minute, I think I’m going to have to take her home. But then she laughs. It’s free and so fucking lovely.

“Boy, when I want an adventure, I go all in.”

I shake my head, intrigued and a little too turned on by this sweet, sexy woman.

As we talk, her gestures become more animated, her laughter more frequent. It's like watching a flower bloom in fast-forward. She’s beautiful and mesmerizing. But even as I enjoy this transformed version of Ava, a part of me remains on high alert. I scan the club periodically, making sure no one's paying too much attention to us. The last thing we need is for word of her little adventure to get back to her father. If he hit her for talking back, God knows what he’d do upon learning she’d snuck out and ended up at a sex club. Not just any sex club, but one owned by Elio D’Amato. This is a powder keg situation that could blow up in all our faces.

"We should go." I stand up abruptly. "This isn't the right place for your first taste of freedom."

Ava looks up at me, confusion and a hint of disappointment in her eyes. "But?—”

I offer her my hand. "Trust me, Princess. There are better ways to rebel."

I lead her toward the exit, vowing to keep her safe from the ugliness of the world. The cool night air hits us as we exit. My car is brought around, and I help her into the passenger seat. As I pull away from the curb, I have a thought that I could drive out of the city, driving us both to a new adventure. But I fight that urge. She’s not mine. No, before long, her father will find someone else to sell her off to.

Fucking hell. The image of Ava in the arms of another man makes me sick. I remember her father talked about sending her to a Don in New York. The man is old enough to be her father. The idea of his pawing at her innocence makes me want to kill them all.

"You're different than I thought you'd be," Ava says as I drive her toward her prison.

I glance at her, curious. "Oh? How so?"

"Kinder. Everyone talks about how dangerous you are, but… you make me feel safe."

Her words rattle around my brain and settle softly in my chest. It’s a weird sensation. The only people who feel safe around me are the D’Amatos. Everyone should wonder if I'm going to kill them. That’s my job.

And yet here is this innocent girl, seeing something in me I thought was only there for my family. It’s worrisome. If she can see it, can others? That could be a problem.

Fuck. I should have sent her home the minute she entered the club. Spending time with her has been a mistake that could get us both killed.

“I had fun. We should do it again sometime," she says lightly.

God, how I’d like to, but… "I don't think that's a good idea, Princess."

She crosses her arms. "Why not? Don't you like spending time with me?"

"It's not that," I say carefully. "It's just there are rules.”

Ava rolls her eyes dramatically. "Rules I broke tonight. Rules you break everyday. I’m not so na?ve that I don’t know what our families do. If you obeyed rules?—”

“You made your point.” I can’t decide whether I’m amused or annoyed.

“I know more than you think,” she says defiantly.

I raise an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Absolutely. I know all about the… the business. And the alliances. And the…" She trails off, searching for words.

I smile. Her attempt at sounding worldly is adorable. "You're right. You're clearly an expert."

We pull close to her home. My nerves are on end, wondering how the hell I’m going to get her back into her room without anyone noticing. I’ve been able to breach the perimeter of the Rinella estate, but I’ve never tried to get into the house. How did she even escape?

“I don’t want to go home yet.” Her head leans against the window as if she’s resolved that the night has to come to an end.

“Sorry. The adventure is over. It’s not safe for you to be out like this. Your father?—”

"My father doesn't care about me. He only cares about what I can do for him."

The truth in her words sends a killer rage through me again. Seriously, someday, I’m going to make him pay for the pain he’s caused Ava.

As we approach the Rinella compound, I’m both irritated that I have to return her to that fucker and concerned about getting her into her room undetected, especially given her current state of tipsiness.

I park along the road where I know I can sneak into the yard. "Alright, Princess," I whisper, helping her out of the car. "We need to be quiet now. Can you do that for me?"

She nods, then promptly stumbles. I catch her before she could fall, her body warm against mine. The scent of her perfume mixes with the lingering smell of alcohol, creating an intoxicating combination. I have to shake the rush of desire from my brain.

We make our way across the tree-lined yard, sticking to the shadows. Ava's attempts at stealth are comical, but somehow, we manage to avoid detection as we reach the area below her bedroom window.

My eyes are drawn to a familiar balcony. Memories of standing out here five months ago, watching Ava from afar as she stood bathed in moonlight. The sadness in her eyes had tugged at something deep within me, awakening feelings that I have no right to feel.

Now, here I am, sneaking her drunk self back into that same room. Life is truly strange.

“How’d you get out?” I ask her.

She points to a trellis. I look at it, thinking it can’t be sturdy enough to hold us both. But I don’t know if I can trust her to get up without help.

It’s a fucking miracle when she climbs onto the balcony. I join her, wanting to make sure she can get into her room.

I feel a mix of relief and regret as I prepare to say goodbye. "Time for you to get some sleep.” I guide her toward the balcony doors, thanking God when they open.

She steps toward the door but then stops, her gray eyes locking onto mine. “There’s still one thing I didn’t get tonight.”

“What was that?”

“Well, I got my first shot, but I didn’t get my first kiss.”

My brain short circuits. Surely, she isn’t asking me for a kiss. I remind myself that she’s had a couple of drinks. "I don't think that's a good idea."

The look in her eyes guts me. It’s a look of rejection.

“I just… with the drinks… maybe you should save your first kiss…” Fuck. I’m screwing this up.

“You mean for the man my father sells me to?”

I realize this is another area she’s trying to wrangle some control over. Maybe she can’t stop her father from marrying her off, but she can decide on her first kiss. There’s no doubt I want to give it to her, but… holy hell… it’s wrong. Right? I shouldn’t be me. She deserves better.

I swallow hard, my resolve weakening the longer she looks up at me expectantly. The moonlight casts a soft glow on her face, making her look even more beautiful than usual. Her lips, slightly parted, are begging to be kissed.

But no. She’s vulnerable. And despite my reputation, I have lines I don’t cross.

The air between us crackles with electricity I feel down to my cells. My control is slipping as need takes the reins. I want to be the better man, to walk away and preserve her innocence. But God help me, I want her more.

Fight it, Moretti . "You're not thinking clearly?—”

Ava’s hands grip the front of my shirt, tugging me toward her. And then her lips are on mine. The world explodes into a kaleidoscope of sensation. Her lips are soft, inexperienced, but eager. She parts her lips, and I’m powerless to push her away. I slip my tongue to dance with hers. The taste of peppermint lingers on her tongue, mingling with something uniquely Ava. It’s intoxicating, more potent than any alcohol I'd ever consumed.

All my internal battles dissolve. The guilt, the fear, the sense of duty, it’s gone, replaced by an all-consuming need. My arms wrap around her waist, pulling her flush against me as I deepen the kiss and maneuver her inside toward her bed.