“A Don Doesn’t Date Fat Girls,” She Spat. He Locked The Door “Watch Me Make You My Wife”
Chapter 3
Bianca had never felt more uncomfortable in her life.
Matteo’s residence was enormous, but it didn’t feel luxurious.
It felt controlled.
Every hallway had cameras.
Every entrance had armed security.
Every window was reinforced.
There were no family photographs.
No casual clutter.
No signs of a normal life.
She stood in the kitchen while a housekeeper prepared tea.
“I can leave in the morning,” Bianca said.
Matteo looked up from his phone.
“If the threat is contained.”
“And if it isn’t?”
“You stay.”
“No.”
His gaze lifted.
Bianca folded her arms.
“You don’t own me.”
“I know.”
“Because you’ve said it like you’re giving me permission to breathe.”
A pause.
Then Matteo put his phone down.
“I am trying to keep you alive.”
“By controlling everything?”
“Yes.”
“At least you’re honest.”
He almost smiled.
“Always.”
The housekeeper placed tea in front of Bianca.
She thanked her.
After the woman left, Bianca noticed Matteo watching her.
“What?”
“You haven’t eaten.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You’ve had champagne and water since six.”
“So?”
“You need food.”
She sighed.
“You really notice everything.”
“Yes.”
“Well, notice this.”
She pulled a small pastry from the plate and took a bite.
“Happy?”
“Moderately.”
She laughed despite herself.
It was the first time she’d laughed all night.
Then Matteo’s phone rang.
He answered.
His face changed again.
“Tell me.”
A long pause.
Then:
“Who?”
Another pause.
“Send me the photograph.”
He hung up.
Bianca stared.
“What now?”
“Someone followed you from the foundation.”
She put down her pastry.
“What?”
“We found the car.”
“The black one?”
“Yes.”
“Who is it?”
“That’s what I’m finding out.”
He walked toward the study.
Bianca followed.
“You can’t keep shutting me out.”
He stopped.
“Why not?”
“Because this is my life.”
He looked at her.
“I know.”
“Then let me know what’s happening.”
Matteo studied her.
Finally, he nodded.
“The man following you is called Victor Russo.”
Bianca’s expression changed.
“Russo?”
“You know him?”
“No.”
She hesitated.
“My father mentioned that name once.”
Matteo’s eyes sharpened.
“Why?”
“He said never to do business with them.”
“Your father still speaks to you?”
Bianca looked away.
“He’s been dead for six years.”
That silenced him.
“I’m sorry.”
She shrugged.
“He wasn’t exactly a warm man.”
Matteo said nothing.
Bianca looked at the wall.
“My father believed women should marry into power.”
“And you?”
“I’d rather build my own.”
Matteo’s expression softened.
“That’s why he disliked me.”
Bianca looked at him sharply.
“What?”
“He knew my family.”
“You knew my father?”
“I met him.”
“When?”
“Years ago.”
She stared.
“And you never told me?”
“You never asked.”
Bianca felt something shift inside her.
“You’ve known me longer than tonight.”
“Yes.”
“How long?”
Matteo walked closer.
“Long enough to know that when people underestimate you, you become more dangerous.”
She gave him a skeptical look.
“Dangerous?”
“To anyone who deserves it.”
Then Matteo turned toward the study.
Bianca noticed something on his desk.
A photograph.
Her.
Taken years ago.
At a university graduation.
She picked it up.
Her heart stopped.
“Why do you have this?”
Matteo went completely still.
Then he said quietly:
“Because I promised your father I would protect you.”
Bianca looked up.
Her voice dropped.
“What did he know that I don’t?”
Matteo didn’t answer.
And that scared her more than the threat outside ever had.
