228
Matteo’s POV
I didn’t plan on staying long. I didn’t even plan on sitting down.
Alaric’s place was oddly calm when I walked in, but the serenity was an illusion. Beneath it was a storm waiting to happen. I could feel the eyes of all of his men watching me and ready to shoot if I as much as breathed wrongly in Emilia’s direction. My fists clenched at my sides as I caught sight of her on the couch, legs tucked under her, scrolling through her phone like she didn’t set my world on fire.
“Matteo?” She looked up, surprised, but then her face swiftly shifted into that guarded expression she always wore when she knew I wasn’t happy.
“We need to talk,” I said flatly, shrugging off my jacket and tossing it over the back of a chair.
Her brow furrowed, and she set her phone down, already bracing herself. “About what?” she asked but I was sure she already knew what I wanted to talk about.
“You know what,” I shot back.
Her lips pressed into a thin line. “If this is about Gianna-”
“It’s exactly about Gianna,” I interrupted, stepping closer. “What the hell were you thinking, Emilia? That dinner-what you said-it was completely out of line.”
She stood, crossing her arms over her chest. “I didn’t say anything that wasn’t true. I’m just looking out for you.”
“Looking out for me?” I scoffed, shaking my head. “By making the woman I love feel like she’s not good enough?”
Her eyes flashed. “I didn’t say that. Don’t twist my words.”
“You didn’t have to say it outright. The way you acted spoke loud enough.” My voice was rising, but I couldn’t stop it. Days of frustration were boiling over. “Do you even realize what you did? She left that dinner humiliated, Emilia. And now she won’t talk to me. She won’t even look at me because she feels like she’s not welcome in my life.”
Emilia’s expression softened for a split second before she masked it again. “Matteo, I wasn’t trying to hurt her. I was just being honest. She’s older than you, and-”
“And what?” I snapped. “And you don’t think she’s good enough for me? Is that it?”
“That’s not what I said,” she shot back, her voice rising to match mine. “But yes, I have concerns. You’re my little brother, Matteo. I’m not going to stand by and watch you make a mistake without saying something.”
“A mistake?” I repeated, incredulous. “Gianna isn’t a mistake. She’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Emilia sighed, rubbing her temples. “You don’t see it now, but relationships like this… they’re complicated. You’re in different stages of life, Matteo. You think it’s all perfect now, but down the line-”
“Don’t do that,” I said sharply. “Don’t act like you know what’s best for me just because you’re older. You don’t know Gianna like I do. She’s smart, she’s kind, and she’s been there for me in ways no one else ever has.”
She shook her head, exasperated. “I’m not saying she’s a bad person, Matteo. I’m just saying… I don’t know if she’s the right person for you.”
“And who gets to decide that, Emilia?” I asked, stepping closer. “You? Because last time I checked, I’m the one in this relationship, not you.”
Her jaw tightened, but she didn’t respond.
For a moment, we just stood there glaring at each other, the tension between us thick enough to cut with a knife. Finally, I broke the silence.
“Do you even know how much she means to me?” My voice was quieter now, but no less intense. “Gianna isn’t just someone I’m dating. She’s… she’s it for me, Emilia. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. And the thought of losing her because of this-because of you-it’s killing me.”
Her expression softened again, and this time she didn’t hide it. “Matteo… I didn’t realize…”
“No, you didn’t,” I said, cutting her off. “You didn’t stop to think about how much this would hurt me, or her. You just assumed you knew what was best and acted like it was your right to judge her.”
She looked down, her arms dropping to her sides. “I wasn’t trying to hurt you, Matteo. I swear I wasn’t. I just… I worry about you. You’re my brother. I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy,” I said firmly. “Or at least, I was before you decided to stick your nose where it doesn’t belong.”
Her head snapped up at that, and for a moment, I thought we were going to start arguing again. But then she sighed, her shoulders sagging.
“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I didn’t mean to cause all this. I just… I don’t know. Maybe I let my protective instincts take over. It’s not an excuse, but… I’m sorry, Matteo.”
I nodded, some of the tension in my chest easing. “I appreciate that. But it’s not me you need to apologize to. It’s Gianna.”
She hesitated, biting her lip. “I don’t know if she’d even want to hear it.”
“You don’t know until you try,” I said. “But she deserves an apology, Emilia. She didn’t do anything to deserve the way you treated her.”
Emilia nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. “You’re right. I’ll… I’ll talk to her.”
“Thank you,” I said, meaning it.
For the first time since I’d arrived, I felt like I could breathe without a dark cloud looking over my head.
“I really do love her, you know,” I said after a moment, my voice softer now.
“I can see that,” Emilia said, offering a small, tentative smile. “And if she makes you happy… I’ll try to keep an open mind. That’s all I can promise for now.”
It wasn’t everything I wanted, but it was a start.
“Fair enough,” I said, returning her smile.
I felt hope flicker in my chest. Maybe if Emilia spoke to Gianna, everything would fall back into place and everything would be fine between she and I.