DEIRDREI paused by the doorway alongside Matteo, realizing we stood in front of what I assumed was his room.With my arms crossed, I spoke up. "I thought we were going to discuss this in the living room."Matteo turned to me, his gaze assessing me. He remarked, "I should be the one concerned, considering you're now wearing my things without permission. I can't predict what else you might do."The audacity!I clenched my teeth, unable to hold back. I shot him a glare. "You left me with no choice. And how dare you take my clothes? That was never part of the deal!""This is my home, my rules," Matteo stated firmly."This is a mistake," I muttered, shaking my head. He held the door open wider after entering.I was reluctant to step in with him, but it seemed as though if I didn't, he was going to make me.As I stepped into the room, Matteo shut the door behind us. I stood close to it, still holding onto myself as if it could shield me from whatever might transpire in this room.The space

DEIRDREIt hadn't been more than two hours since Matteo had given me the time I needed. I emerged from the room, my luggage in tow.As I reentered the living room, I spotted Matteo, Lucia, and Kendall. Kendall rushed towards me, her ice cream cone forgotten in her hand."Mama!" she exclaimed, gripping my legs. "You look so pretty.""Thank you, baby," I replied, tousling her hair.Matteo came over to me, leaning in. "You look good."I nodded. It wasn't the first time he'd complimented me, and I doubted it would be the last.Matteo had changed into a different outfit. Instead of the brown two-piece suit he'd worn earlier, he now sported a tailored navy blazer matched with a crisp white dress shirt. He paired it with well-fitted khaki trousers and a complementary brown leather belt.Lucia approached him, adjusting the navy blue silk pocket square, then gestured to the brown loafers he wore."What?" Matteo asked."You promised to get me one," she reminded him, and Matteo nodded in acknowl

MATTEO POV"Advantage?" I scoffed, downing my third drink for the night. Deirdre had made it seem like I had assaulted her.She had made me look like a fucking pervert. While I'd admit she was in shock, she was of legal age, and I wasn't much older than her. We first met when I was twenty-seven and she was eighteen. While a nine-year gap wasn't common, it did happen in relationships.Moreover, Deirdre had approached me herself. She had seduced me. I resisted as much as I could until I couldn't anymore, yet she was painting me as the villain. I felt somewhat disgusted with myself. I didn't understand why, but the way she had expressed it with so much hatred as if I had taken her against her will, was deeply unsettling.Maybe she didn't mean what she had said, but it was Deirdre, and I saw the hatred in her eyes."She's attractive," I heard whispers swirling around me."Damn, I'd have those legs around me, even if just for tonight," another voice chimed in.I didn't want to look, but ju

DEIRDREAn hour passed after Matteo left, and he never returned. He had reminded me to be outside by 7, and it was already 6 p.m.I tried to ask him where he went, but I never received a response to my text. I even called him, but he didn't pick up the phone. I couldn't help but wonder if he was avoiding me. Maybe. But then, I couldn't think of anything I did wrong to deserve being ignored. Or perhaps I did.Sighing, I walked towards the full-length mirror, took off Matteo's shirt, and slipped into the dress.Its fabric, a lustrous, bright blue satin, seemed to capture the essence of the deep, cerulean sea. The sequins were meticulously arranged in intricate patterns, glimmering like a thousand stars. They caught the low light in a dazzling display, casting prismatic reflections that danced across the room.As I touched the elegantly tailored bodice, my gaze moved to the sweetheart neckline that accentuated the curves of my torso. Delicate straps adorned with tiny crystal beads framed

MATTEOIt was the La Festa dell'Ombra, also known as the festival of shadows. This annual gathering was a secret known only to the most influential and mysterious figures of the underworld. It featured masked revelers, enigmatic performances, and secret ceremonies held in the heart of the cruise ship's hidden chambers.Maybe I shouldn't have brought Deirdre here. I heard the warning in Jackson's voice earlier. Perhaps he had known that Javier, the troublemaker, would be here.Javier was from a rival gang, and he should have known better than to approach Deirdre when she was with me. But he didn't even look apologetic. It was as if he was deliberately taunting me.And why was the ship filled with enemies on all sides?!My eyes narrowed when I spotted three more, each flanking the side where Deirdre was seated.To Deirdre's right, three seats away from her, Enzo Romano sat. He looked at me with intrigue in his granite grey eyes. He was also known as "Silencer" due to his few words but i