Chapter 9 - The Man I Never Expected to Love
Matteo survived.
The bullet had passed through his side without hitting a major organ.
My father recovered.
My mother finally told the truth.
And Daniel Voss's empire collapsed under the weight of the evidence recovered from the USB and the financial records connected to the Carter Trust.
But the hardest part began after the danger ended.
Because when the guns disappeared, I had to face my feelings.
Matteo was no longer the man who saved me from a bullet.
He was the man who sat beside my mother's hospital bed.
The man who brought my father coffee.
The man who silently repaired the broken cabinet in my apartment.
The man who learned exactly how my mother liked her tea.
The man who had never once touched me without permission.
One evening, I found him standing on my balcony.
“You're supposed to be resting.”
“I am.”
“You're standing.”
“Resting emotionally.”
I smiled.
“You're ridiculous.”
He turned.
“I've been called worse.”
We stood quietly.
Then he said,
“You should leave.”
My smile disappeared.
“What?”
“Boston isn't safe.”
“Daniel is gone.”
“Others remain.”
“You're telling me to leave?”
“I'm asking you to choose a life that doesn't revolve around mine.”
I stared.
“You don't want me?”
His eyes closed.
“That is not what I said.”
“Then what?”
“I want you too much.”
My heart skipped.
He looked at me.
“And that scares me.”
“Good.”
His eyebrow lifted.
“Good?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because for once, you're scared of something that isn't a bullet.”
He laughed.
I stepped closer.
“You don't get to decide my future.”
“I know.”
“You don't get to protect me by lying.”
“I know.”
“You don't get to disappear.”
“I know.”
“And you definitely don't get to tell me to leave just because you're afraid.”
He looked at me.
“What do you want?”
I smiled.
“My birthday was ruined.”
“It was.”
“I never got my cake.”
“I bought one.”
I blinked.
“You did?”
He nodded.
“It's in the kitchen.”
“Matteo Conti bought me a birthday cake?”
“I ordered it.”
“That doesn't count.”
“I also chose the frosting.”
I laughed.
“What flavor?”
“Chocolate.”
“My favorite.”
“I know.”
I paused.
Then whispered,
“You really do know everything.”
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“I'm still learning.”
I reached for his hand.
He looked down.
Then back at me.
“Is this okay?”
“Yes.”
His fingers closed around mine.
It was gentle.
Careful.
Nothing like the man everyone feared.
I kissed him.
Only once.
A soft kiss.
When I pulled away, he looked stunned.
“You kissed me.”
“I noticed.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted to.”
He smiled.
“You're trouble.”
“So are you.”
“I know.”
Behind us, my mother began clapping from inside the apartment.
I groaned.
“She's been watching?”
“Yes.”
My father shouted from the kitchen,
“Finally!”
I covered my face.
Matteo laughed.
For the first time in years, my family sounded happy.
Months passed.
The Carter Trust was converted into a legal foundation supporting assisted-care facilities, emergency housing, and medical support programs.
My mother's facility received a new wing.
My father took up photography.
He wasn't good at it.
But he loved it.
Leo became head of security for the foundation.
His sister started college.
And Matteo?
Matteo gave up most of his criminal operations.
He sold businesses connected to the old network and kept only legitimate companies.
People in Boston still feared his name.
But they also began whispering something else.
That Matteo Conti was changing.
I didn't need whispers.
I saw it every day.
One rainy afternoon, he took me to the Velvet Room.
The nightclub had been renovated.
The broken pillar was gone.
I stood where the bullet had struck.
Matteo walked beside me.
“Bad memories?”
“A little.”
He pointed toward the new pillar.
“Stronger wood.”
I smiled.
“You replaced it?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“So nothing gets to hurt you there again.”
I shook my head.
“You're impossible.”
He smiled.
Then he reached into his coat.
A small box.
I stared.
“What's that?”
“Something I should have given you months ago.”
He opened it.
Inside was a ring.
Not the black ring.
A simple silver band.
Beautiful.
My breath caught.
“Matteo…”
“I know you don't like being told what to do.”
“Correct.”
“So I'm not asking you to obey me.”
He took a breath.
“I'm asking you to build a life with me.”
My eyes filled.
He continued.
“Not because your mother trusted me.”
“Not because your father did.”
“Not because I saved you.”
“But because you choose me.”
I looked at him.
“What happens if I say no?”
“I'll still love you.”
“And if I say yes?”
He smiled.
“Then I'll spend the rest of my life trying to deserve it.”
I kissed him before he could say anything else.
“Yes.”
He stared.
“Yes?”
“Yes.”
He slipped the ring onto my finger.
Then he whispered,
“Happy birthday.”
I laughed.
“It's February.”
“I know.”
“Then why say that?”
“Because that night changed everything.”
May you like
He held me close.
“Best terrible birthday of my life.”
