“A Don Doesn’t Date Fat Girls,” She Spat. He Locked The Door “Watch Me Make You My Wife”
Chapter 9
The escape from the theater took less than two minutes.
Matteo moved Bianca through a side corridor while security returned fire.
She heard shouting behind them.
Glass shattered.
Someone screamed.
Then Matteo pushed open a steel door.
They ran into the alley.
Bianca stumbled.
Matteo caught her.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
He checked her anyway.
His hands were shaking.
Bianca noticed.
“You’re scared.”
“I am.”
She stared.
“I’ve never seen you scared.”
“I’m not scared for me.”
That sentence stayed between them.
They reached the armored car.
Once inside, Bianca finally let herself cry.
Matteo sat beside her.
He didn’t touch her.
He simply stayed.
After several minutes, she whispered:
“My mother knew all of this.”
“Yes.”
“My father knew.”
“Yes.”
“You knew part of it.”
“Yes.”
“And now Russo wants me.”
“Yes.”
She wiped her eyes.
“I hate this.”
“So do I.”
“Why did you agree to protect me?”
Matteo looked at her.
“Because your father asked.”
“That’s not enough.”
His gaze held hers.
“No.”
“Then what is?”
He took a breath.
“The first time I saw you, you were twenty-three.”
She stared.
“When?”
“At the university library.”
Bianca frowned.
“I don’t remember.”
“I know.”
“What were you doing there?”
“Meeting your father.”
She shook her head.
“You saw me?”
“Yes.”
“And?”
“You were carrying six books.”
“So?”
“You dropped three.”
She laughed through her tears.
“You remember that?”
“I remember everything about you.”
She went quiet.
Matteo continued.
“You were angry because everyone kept offering to help.”
Bianca’s expression softened.
“That sounds like me.”
“It was.”
He looked away.
“I admired you before I ever knew your name.”
She blinked.
“Then why didn’t you say anything?”
“Because I knew your father was in danger.”
“And now?”
“Now I don’t want to hide behind duty.”
Bianca’s heart raced.
“You’re saying you want me.”
“Yes.”
“For real?”
“For real.”
She looked at him for a long time.
“Even after everything?”
“Especially after everything.”
She swallowed.
“What about my body?”
His expression sharpened.
“What about it?”
“I’ve spent my whole life being told women like me don’t get men like you.”
Matteo moved closer.
“The people who said that were trying to teach you a lie.”
“What lie?”
“That love is a reward for becoming smaller.”
Bianca’s eyes filled again.
“No one has ever said that to me.”
“They should have.”
He paused.
“I don’t want a thinner version of you.”
Her lips trembled.
“I want the woman who argues with me.”
A small laugh escaped her.
“The woman who refuses to obey.”
“Yes.”
“The woman who eats dessert.”
“Yes.”
“The woman who takes up space.”
Matteo smiled.
“Especially her.”
Bianca leaned toward him.
Then stopped.
“What about the marriage contract?”
“You don’t need it.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want a contract.”
He looked at her.
“I want your answer.”
“And if my answer is no?”
“I’ll still protect you.”
“And if it’s yes?”
He smiled.
“Then I’ll spend the rest of my life making sure you never regret it.”
Bianca kissed him.
It was brief.
Shaky.
Completely her choice.
When they separated, Matteo rested his forehead against hers.
Then his phone rang.
The message was from security.
Luca De Luca is missing.
And underneath it:
Victor Russo has taken the trust documents.
