Free Matteo (Dark Erotic Mob Romance) (Rossi Family Book 1) by Rachael Orman

questions. I’ll leave you alone. I know Matteo is very private and probably wouldn’t want any of us to know too much about his date.” She spoke the last part loudly enough to make sure he heard.
    To my surprise, he rolled his eyes at her before turning away again. I’d expected anger or threats, but he’d looked like he was used to her ribbing and simply let it roll off his back. Maybe I wouldn’t be getting too bad of a punishment after all.
    I breathed a sigh of relief when the dessert plates were collected, thinking the evening was coming to a close, but when glasses filled with amber liquid started being passed out, I realized it wasn’t.
    The men took their glasses and started to exit the room while the women stayed seated. I looked to Allegra for what to do. She nodded and put a hand on my thigh.
    “Be there in a moment,” Matteo spoke to the gentleman he’d spent most of the evening conversing with before holding a hand out for me. “Come with me, bella. ”
    I stood with his assistance and followed him from the room. He ushered me through a door across the hall, locking it behind us.
    “Oh how you disappoint me, bella . I told you to stay quiet, not make friends. Yet there you go, blabbering away. I have business to take care of now and you are not invited. However, you are not permitted to wait with the women, seeing as how you can’t seem to control yourself. You shall go prepare yourself for me in your room and think about your punishment until I come to you.”
    As he spoke, he walked me back until I was pressed against the wall and his face was inches from mine. He didn’t raise his voice or yell as I expected; instead he appeared completely in control, but the tone he used was enough to tell me the punishment would be harsh.
    “Yes, Matteo,” I breathed, afraid to speak too loudly in case it broke the calm demeanor he had. I watched as he took a step back from me, thinking I was being excused to go. I turned to reach for the door, but his hand squeezing my bicep made me spin around in time for his fist to land squarely against my face. White light burst over my vision as pain blossomed through my cheek. 
    “ Bella ,” he sighed. “Seems you have much to learn yet.”
    When he released me, I brought a hand up to my cheek to hold against the stinging pain left behind.
    His eyes never left mine as he tugged down on his jacket and fixed his tie before dragging a hand through his hair, making sure not a strand was out of place.
    “Now go to your room. Make sure no one sees you,” he said before unlocking the door and allowing me to exit first. He didn’t stop to make sure I did as instructed, instead turning in the opposite direction toward the hushed voices of the men.
    I rushed up the stairs, thankful no one had interrupted my escape. Once in my room, I quickly stripped out of my dress and climbed on the bed. I didn’t know how long he’d be occupied, and I wasn’t going to risk not being ready for him when he entered the room.
    As I lay in the bed, tears ran down my cheeks. Not from the throbbing in my face, not from the idea of a harsh punishment coming, but from the fact that I had upset Matteo without meaning to. I had tried to do as he’d instructed, but Allegra had been impossible to escape, especially when we were stuck next to each other throughout the five course meal.
    I had no idea of how much time had passed before the bedroom door was thrown open, banging against the wall letting me know Matteo had returned.
     

 
    Chapter Seven
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    “Think snuggling up to my cousin is going to save you? She might have my father wrapped around her finger and all the other men in the family letting her get away with everything, but you will not use that against me,” Matteo angrily yelled at me. He took a breath and ran his hands through his hair before continuing in a much calmer voice. “Get on your knees in front of me.”
    I scrambled off the bed and fell to