Matteo’s POV
She was stunned and I loved every bit of the surprised look on her beautiful face.
“But this is too sudden, Matteo. Why do you even want us to be an item? Don’t you have other women in your life?” She asked, her eyes turning glassy.
“I don’t, Aurora. Ever since I met you, I lost interest in other women. It’s just been you and I can’t say what I feel right now, but I’m very sure that I don’t want other men around you.” I stated and she burst into laughter.
Her voice reverberated in a sweet crescendo into the night. Nothing sounded better than the sound of her voice in my ears.
“You’re that jealous? I thought you didn’t care?”
“Now you know that I do, so, Aurora, do me the honor of being my woman. You won’t regret it, I promise.”
She pushed closer to me, her eyes glistening with uncertainty. I knew that she had every reason not to trust me but I was willing to make everything right between us.
“I know that you don’t break your promise. Let’s see where this leads us,” She replied and I slipped the diamond ring in my hands into her middle finger.
It glittered on her smooth skin which I brought up to lips and kissed.
“Thank you for agreeing, Aurora, you just made me the happiest man in Texas.”
“Don’t sound like you won a lottery. It’s nothing serious,” She giggled and bit her lower lips as she used to do whenever she was at a loss of what to say.
“If you were a lottery, then I’d like to win you everyday.”
Footsteps sounded as Aurora darted her eyes to the direction of the footsteps. Her eyes widened when she saw Giselle and Sophia smiling at us with a wave while my pilot stood at the back and inclined his head.
Her eyes popped out as she stared at me with a questioning look.
“Don’t tell me that you let them in on this.”
“They didn’t know my plan. I only told them that I wanted them to be here, so I asked Angelo to put them on the next flight to Texas.” I explained to her as she placed her head on my chest.
“Thank you very much, Matteo. I’m happy to see them here.”
She rushed towards them and they formed a circle as she stretched her arms around them. I watched her glow under the evening receding sunlight and my heart did a staccato beat.
My phone rang loudly and I checked the screen, seeing that it was from Angelo I rejected the call so that I could focus. He was capable of handling the city, so he should allow me to focus on Aurora.
“Aren’t you starving? Let’s go for dinner.” I announced, linking my hands with Aurora’s.
“Congratulations on winning the competition, Aurora, you really did it. And I’m very glad that I informed you about the competition,” Sofia said with a genuine smile.
I led them towards a private room which was lit with several chandeliers. Soft music from a band which I’d requested for their services earlier played from the background, and our table was decorated with real flowers ranging from white orchids to pink carnations.
“This is so beautiful, Matteo. When did you plan all of these?” She asked, sinking onto her chair.
“I don’t think I want to bother you with all the details right now. Let’s just have fun.”
Two waiters came in with silver bowls on silver trays. I’d ordered several kinds of dishes that she could choose from. They placed the trays on the wooden table and walked away.
Aurora removed the bowls covering the trays and served her dinner. Her eyes met with mine and she lowered her lashes, picking another plate which she served some Antipasto and added the leaves, then primo piatto and second piatto.
She passed the plate towards me and dug into her food without waiting for me.
“Are you that hungry?” I teased and she nodded, her eyes fixed on the food.
I dug into the primo piatto, it tasted nice but I wished that Aurora was the one who prepared it.
“It’s been a while since I ate something that wasn’t prepared by me. It feels so nice.” She said and sipped her white wine.
My phone chimed in my pocket causing me to roll my eyes. I really hoped that it wasn’t Angelo or I’d call him and lash out at him for calling me at the wrong time.
It wasn’t a call but a message.
The mansion is under attack. There’s a shootout.
I jerked up from my chair and bumped into the table accidentally. My wine glass toppled over my food because of the intensity from the bump and Aurora gave me a questioning glare.
“What’s going on?”
“I need to go back home, there’s an attack.” I informed them and they all got up at the same time including the pilot.
“We have to go.” Aurora said firmly but I couldn’t agree.
“You’re safer here, Aurora. I won’t allow you to put your life at risk for me.”
She laughed angrily then snorted, “Our lives are at risk anywhere and even if they don’t want to return with you, I will. And don’t think of dissuading me because I won’t listen.”
Her eyes showed determination and I knew that there was nothing I could say to change her mind.
“Let’s go,” I said in surrender as she picked her bag. “But you’ll do as I say.”
“We are also coming with you,” Giselle declared and I nodded.
?
Gunshots rang loudly as we approached my house. I alerted Marco who was my enforcer and Francesco to come with some of our men. I didn’t bother telling my underbosses or captains as I didn’t want them to feel like I couldn’t deal with my issues.
I got out of the car after instructing Aurora to stay in the car. The other stayed in the hotel but Aurora was adamant about coming with me.
Some men shot at me from the roof so I hid behind my car and shot back, watching some of the men falling from the roof.
I wondered who sent them and why, but for me to get information from them, I had to be alive.
“Watch out!” I heard Aurora’s shrill scream and turned around to see her running towards me while holding the hem of her dress.
I wasn’t quick enough to stop her as she stood in front of me the same time the shooter fired a shot at her. My eyes burned as she fell to the ground with blood oozing out from her stomach.