The Sweetest Temptation
Chapter 229: Danger

Chapter 229: Danger

His gaze shifted to the weapon she held limply. It was clear she was not experienced with a gun, the realization made him recall the previous night at the office.

She’d said something about having a gun with the thought of someone invading the office. A surge of laughter bubbled from his depths, easing the tension that had threatened to ruin his mood. His lips curled slightly, giving him more chance to convey how funny the moment now was.

The gesture must’ve eased her off because as soon as he did, her shoulders slumped slightly and she drew a deep breath.

"We’ll be okay." He said to her in a voice filled with conviction. She nodded affirmatively.

The car screeched to an abrupt halt, alerting them both to the arrival at their supposed destination.

In an instant, the earlier mood dissipated, charged with a foreboding energy that replaced their prior mood with a disquieting sense of anticipation.

Matteo gave her one last intense gaze and stepped out of the vehicle, his every movement exuding an air of controlled intensity. He turned back to face her, and spoke in a voice laced with a mix of caution and urgency, "Remember what I told you."

She knew what he was trying to do. Notwithstanding, she nodded vigorously, she had no intention of obeying his words, but she wasn’t about to let him know that.

From the looks of it, he wanted to be certain about her safety, most likely to prevent him from having to worry about something going wrong, and leaving himself open to danger when she would be able to help somehow.

While she’s still here, nothing of that sort will happen, she would make sure of that But she wasn’t about to let him know that. She would give him that peace of mind that he clearly needed.

He slammed the door shut.

Helplessly, her gaze followed his determined strides as he made his way towards the sleek, black G-wagon parked just ahead. However, what shook her will was the imposing figure of a man that stood beside it.

Despite his average height and less than ideal physique, he emitted an aura that made it clear he was not to be trifled with.

Adorned in a finely tailored three-piece suit, he carried himself with an air of authority that demanded attention.

His broad shoulders were squared fearlessly, and he leaned ever so slightly on a masterfully crafted cane, its gold-plated grip serving as a testament to his opulence. The image he projected was one fit for a mafia boss, leaving no doubt as to the nature of the forthcoming discussion.

She felt the hairs on her neck stand still as Matteo closed the distance toward him.

"Please, be safe," She whispered the prayer under her breath.

***

Everything seemed normal as she maintained her spot, peering through the windshield. She contemplated capturing the exchange with her phone’s camera should the matter arise that he needs to find out if anything fishy happens.

How she came up with such a thought was another thing entirely, probably the unbearable need to be of help somehow.

From the way things were currently, she was tasked with just protecting herself. And that was far from anything.

She wanted to be responsible for him; she wanted to protect him – herself; like she’d done at the office that night.

Suddenly, a movement caught her eye, a disturbance at the far corner of the heap of rubbles one floor above. She squinted her gaze for better focus, but it served no purpose, as it seemed the person, whoever it was, went right back to hiding.

A backup?!

Her gaze shifted to the car door to her left as she contemplated calling an alarm or remaining quiet. She looked back at where Matteo was, he seemed oblivious to the disturbance.

That was a good sign – right? But then, she remembered their discussion at the office, when he’d mentioned getting into a fight with people who wanted to rob him instead of having a genuine transaction.

What if that person was part of a plan for an ambush from his client, or worse, what if he is not aware?

Then she had to do something. But telling him would put his entire business at jeopardy if it turned out to be a false alarm and just an animal scuttling by.

What am I saying? This is not a jungle.

With her last thought, she leaned back in the seat, tapping her foot anxiously as she willed her mind to be calm.

"You’re overthinking it, you’re overthinking it, you’re overthinking it," She chanted continuously. And then, she opened her eyes to observe the two men once again. Both seemed alright, or was that the illusion that she wished to maintain?

It was then she turned her gaze to the debris once again, and this time, she affirmed, it was not a trick of the light – it was indeed impending doom.

There, covered in desert colored camouflage, was a glint of metal, facing Matteo and his client. The desert camouflage cover confirmed her earlier confusion about whether or not there existed a disturbance.

It blended seamlessly with the dirt mounted with the remains of previous demolished structures.

Her insides went ice cold when she tried to make a move, shift a finger, make a noise if possible, but nothing was forth coming.

She watched in horror as the figure adjusted into a steady position, taking a proper aim firmly pointed toward Matteo this time. It was at that moment that she felt the twitching in her finger. Her limbs moved again.

Sparing no bit of a second, her instincts kicked in. She hoisted herself towards the door by her right and pushed with such force she thought it’d come off the car.

Without a second thought, she threw herself out of the car and started towards the men in a mad frenzy, neglecting all form of decency as her only aim was to save the one person she cared for with all her heart.

With her breath ragged and her voice trembling, she shouted, "Matteo! Danger! Get down!" The two men turned to face her, stunned to silence as they beheld her. But before anyone could react, a single shot rang out, cutting through the air.