Ties of Blood (Book One)

Chapter 22 ~ Matteo

Matteo Morreti

I found myself actually enjoying my time with Gianna. I didn't know shit about stars but that didn't seem to bother her.

Now, we were in the car and on our way home when her phone lit up with a text.

Noah: You can't seriously be mad, I said I'm sorry

Me and Gianna saw it at the same time, a look of annoyance crossed her face but when she saw that I saw she said, "Sorry, we got into a bit of, an argument."

Gianna seemed to not be happy about it, although deep down a sliver of myself more primal and possessive was delighted that Noah had slipped up.

"What happened?" I ask, with a piece of concern in my voice.

"I'll show you." she said, she gets her phone, does the 6 digit password right in front of me.

924831.

I felt bad, she was being so open with me, I knew her fucking password yet I was plotting on the downfall of her father. It was almost comical how fast Gianna had changed things, how fast I gave in, how much she meant to me over these last few weeks.

She opened their messages and scrolled through them allowing me to read them.

Noah seemed to have accused her of using me for my money. Which was fucking bullshit considering that Gianna was rich herself.

Then I saw something that infuriated me—he called me a millionaire. I was a billionaire, for fuck's sake.

"I would never do that to you, Matteo," Gianna says pulling me out of my violent thoughts, "Your trust means a lot to me and I would never to anything to betray it."

Another load of guilt dropped on me.

I didn't say anything and Gianna wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug, her warm body pushed against me. I wrap my arms around her too and hug her back.

We stay like that for a while until we get home, Alonso opened the door for us and I got out and guided her out of the car.

She seemed happy that I wasn't mad at her, which I could never be. We walked up the stairs to the doors. I pushed open the door and let Gianna in first.

To my surprise, my father was already inside talking to the maids.

"Matteo! You're here," he turns away from the maid he was talking to and walked towards me and Gianna who had made herself quite comfortable in my arms, which I didn't mind but my father seemed to.

"Gianna, you're here too, I see." he says, with slight sarcasm in his voice but if Gianna was upset about it she didn't show it.

"Good evening, Mr Moretti, it great to see you again." she says sweetly.

Lorenzo's eyes ping-pong between the two of us and where my hand was placed firmly on her hip before settling his eyes on Gianna, "You too, is it okay if I talk to Matteo, it's just some business stuff,"

Gianna nods understandingly, "That's okay, we were going to bed anyways, goodnight," Gianna leans up and kisses my cheek quickly before saying goodbye. I watch as she walked over to the door, and closes it behind her with a soft click.

Once Gianna left my father's eyes settle on mine, "So, it's seems you two are close now, hm?"

I keep quiet, my eyes remain trained on his condescending , my silence sent a clear message of my answer.