CHAPTER 6

MATTEO'S POV

I smiled as I watched her on my screen.

She thought she was safe.

She had changed her locks, thinking that would be enough to keep me out. I sighed, shaking my head in amusement. Poor thing. She was being careful, trying to regain control of her life, but she had no idea how deep she was already in.

Through the hidden cameras I had installed all over her house, I watched as she moved around, checking every door, every window, making sure they were locked. I admired her caution. It showed that she wasn’t stupid—just naive.

She really believed the locks mattered.

I leaned back in my chair, taking a sip of my coffee as I continued watching. Her reaction to my little gift had been exactly as I expected. Panic. Fear. Desperation. The way she had looked at the teddy bear, the way her hands had trembled as she read the note—I had felt it through the screen.

It was exhilarating.

She had called the police, of course. But what could they do?

Nothing.

Nothing because there was nothing to find except for the gift I had left for her. No broken windows. No forced entry. No fingerprints. No evidence.

I was careful. Always careful.

I watched as she finally settled into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. She kept glancing at the window as if she expected to see me standing there, watching her. I almost wished I was standing outside. Just to see her reaction.

But not yet.

Tomorrow was Friday, which meant her parents would be coming over for the weekend. That was fine. I didn’t want to scare her too much in front of them. That would ruin the illusion. I wanted her to think she had won.

That her precautions had worked.

Let her have her little moment of relief. Let her laugh with her parents, sleep peacefully, and pretend everything was normal. Let her believe that she was safe.

Because once they left, I would remind her that she wasn’t.

I smirked at the thought.

I had never done anything like this before, but with her… it felt right. Necessary.

There was just something about her. The way she carried herself, the way she was so unaware of her own beauty. The way she laughed when she thought no one was watching. The way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was nervous.

She was perfect.

Some people might say I should have just approached her if I liked her. That I should have simply introduced myself like a normal man would.

But where was the fun in that?

That would be dull.

Ordinary.

Boring.

And I hated boring.

This was much more interesting. Watching her. Learning her. Controlling the situation without her even realizing it.

She belonged to me now.

She just didn’t know it yet.

I leaned closer to the screen, watching as she finally closed her eyes, exhaustion taking over. She looked so peaceful, completely unaware that I was right here, watching her every move.

I let my fingers trail over the screen, imagining what it would be like to touch her in real life. To feel the softness of her skin. The warmth of her body against mine.

Soon.

But not yet.

The game wasn’t over.

It was just beginning.

《《《《《《《《《

I leaned back in my chair, watching the slow, steady rise and fall of her chest on my laptop screen.

She looked so peaceful, so unaware of the storm that was about to hit her life. Her soft curls sprawled across the pillow, her lips slightly parted as she slept. I could watch her like this forever. She was beautiful, even in her most vulnerable state. And she was mine.

I ran my fingers over the edge of the laptop, deep in thought, when a knock at the door pulled me out of my trance.

“Sir, your uncle is here.”

I let out a groan, rubbing my temples in frustration. Just great. I was in the middle of something important, something that mattered, and he had to show up now?

I sighed and shut my laptop, standing up. If he was here, it meant he had something to say. Whether it was worth my time or not was another question.

I walked out of my room and made my way downstairs, where my uncle was already waiting in the living room. He was dressed in one of his usual expensive suits, dripping in wealth from head to toe. A man like him never went anywhere without flaunting his power, always making sure people knew who he was.

Typical Damiano.

It was funny, really. He looked like the perfect picture of an accomplished businessman, someone you’d see shaking hands with politicians and celebrities. But underneath the façade, he was nothing more than a ruthless drug lord. A snake.

Not that I was any better.

Our family had been in this business for decades. My grandfather had built our empire from the ground up, and it was meant to continue through our bloodline. But ever since my father’s death, my uncle had been scheming—trying to edge me out of my rightful place. He wanted the throne for himself and his pathetic excuse of a son.

Unfortunately for him, I wasn’t going anywhere.

“Uncle Damiano,” I greeted, plastering the fakest smile on my face. “Long time no see.”

“Matteo,” he said, his voice smooth as ever. “It has been a while. How have you been?”

I chuckled, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Busy. You know how it is, running things, making sure everything goes smoothly.” I tilted my head slightly. “How about you, Uncle? How’s the betrayal business treating you these days?”

His smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he quickly masked it. He was good at hiding his emotions, I’d give him that. But I was better at reading between the lines.

“I see you’re still as sharp-tongued as ever,” he said, sitting down on the leather couch as if he owned the place. “That’s good. A man in your position should always be on guard.”

I didn’t sit. I didn’t trust this bastard enough to let my guard down.

“Cut the bullshit, Damiano,” I said, voice cold. “Why are you here?”

He leaned back, crossing one leg over the other. “Straight to business, I see. Very well.” He glanced around the room before meeting my gaze again. “I hear you’ve been… distracted lately.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Distracted?”

“Yes.” He gave me a knowing smirk. “A certain young lady has caught your attention, hasn’t she?”

I felt my blood turn cold for a split second before I quickly masked my reaction. So, he knew.

That meant someone had been watching me.

I clenched my jaw, keeping my expression unreadable. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

He chuckled. “Oh, Matteo, don’t insult my intelligence. I know you’ve been keeping tabs on that college girl.” He leaned forward slightly. “You really think I wouldn’t notice? You’ve never been one to get distracted by things like this before. So, tell me—what makes her so special?”

I clenched my fists inside my pockets.

What the hell was his angle?

“What I do in my free time is none of your business,” I said flatly. “And I suggest you stay out of it.”

His smirk widened. “Oh, but it is my business. Because the last thing this family needs is for you to get sloppy. Obsession makes people stupid, Matteo. And stupidity gets people killed.”

I stepped closer, towering over him. “Are you threatening me, Zio?”

He laughed, shaking his head. “Not at all. I’m warning you.” His voice dropped an octave. “You and I both know that attachments in our world lead to nothing but weakness. And weakness is something neither of us can afford.”

I stayed silent.

“Be careful, Matteo,” he said, standing up and buttoning his suit jacket. “Because if your little game gets out of hand, you won’t be the only one paying the price.”

I clenched my jaw as he walked past me, his words lingering in the air like a poisonous mist.

This wasn’t just a warning. It was a challenge.

He was testing me, waiting for me to slip up so he could swoop in and take what was mine.

I wouldn’t let him.

Once I heard the front door close behind him, I let out a slow breath, my mind racing.

He thought I was getting distracted?

He had no idea what I was planning.

I smirked, walking back up to my room.

I had been planning to take things slow with my girl. Let her get used to my presence, let her feel my presence before I made my next move. But now?

Now, I needed to speed things up.

Because if Damiano thought he could use her against me, he was dead wrong.

No one was taking her away from me.

Not him.

Not the police.

Not anyone.

I reopened my laptop and stared at her peaceful face once more.

It was time to take this to the next level.