Page 83 of Brutal Revenge

“Surprise me.”

He studies me for a moment, nods, then walks to the register, where a staff member stares at him with ogling eyes.

Fighting not to display the jealous twit I unleashed at the gym, I sit at a small table by the window and try not to think about the bridal shop across the street and how Matteo used my dislike of Antonio like he knows my game plan.

I’d give anything to be honest with him, but that could change the outcome of the game entirely.

When Matteo joins me at the table, carrying only one plate, I frown. He must have realized my belly jiggle earlier was too voluptuous.

He sets down the plate in front of me, revealing I still have much to learn about this man.

“Where’s yours?”

Remaining quiet, he pulls a candle out of his pocket and jabs it into a rich chocolate cake. When he lights it, I drink in the flickering flame, lost.

“It’s not my birthday.” I love how thoughtful he is, but I can’t keep lying to him.

“Not for another eight weeks,” Matteo agrees, shocking me. My birthday is in our contract, but I didn’t realize he’d paid attention to the minor details.

“Then why?”

“It’s for Hattie.”

My lungs hunt for air, and tears sting my eyes.

Hattie was my best friend. Today would have been her twenty-third birthday.

I didn’t tell him that, though. Did I?

Too stunned to speak, I wipe at a tear rolling down my cheek.

Mindful that he won’t get much out of me when I’m a blubbering idiot, Matteo slides into the seat across from me. “You didn’t give me all the details. But when you told me you hadn’t drunk alcohol before, you said it was your best friend’s birthday tomorrow, so you’d have a drink for her.”

My pulse thrums in my ears.

He remembered that? From a throwaway comment? From a night I barely remember?

He murmurs, almost to himself, “You had more like ten… but who’s counting?”

Although grateful that his playful comment rids the air of tension, I still kick him under the table.

He grunts, rubbing his shin. “You’re violent today.”

“Don’t act like you don’t like it.”

He winks at me the same way he did earlier when jealousy overwhelmed me. Then he tells me to blow out the candle and make a wish.

Leaning forward, I blow out the candle, close my eyes, tilt my chin toward heaven, and send my best friend a birthday message.

“Happy birthday, Hattie. I promise I won’t stop fighting until everyone knows the truth.”

When I open my eyes, Matteo’s eyes float over my face. His gaze isn’t brimming with pity or curiosity. It’s filled with something softer. Something dangerous.

Something I can’t afford to feel after the promise I just made.

Chapter 24

Azra