Chapter 5

I woke to the sensation of something hard pressing against my backside and a warm hand cupping my breast. Disoriented, I blinked in the morning light before remembering—Matteo. He was still in my bed, his body curved around mine like a protective shell. His breathing remained deep and even against my neck, telling me he was still asleep.

His fingers unconsciously squeezed my breast, sending an unwelcome jolt through my body. Between my legs, I felt a disturbing warmth blooming.

A sharp knock on the door sent my heart into my throat.

"Beatrice? Are you awake, honey?" Mom's voice called through the door. The doorknob rattled. "Why is this locked?"

"Just a second, Mom!" I hissed, jabbing my elbow into Matteo's ribs. "Matteo!" I whispered urgently. "My mom's at the door!"

His eyes flew open, instantly alert. Without a word, he rolled out of bed and darted into the bathroom, closing the door with a soft click. I smoothed down my tank top and ran my fingers through my tangled hair before unlocking the bedroom door.

Mom stood there, her face pinched with worry. "Why was your door locked?"

"I was scared," I said quickly. "This house is so big, and I don't know... I just felt safer with it locked."

She stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room suspiciously. "Did you sleep okay? Any nightmares?"

"Not too bad," I lied, avoiding her gaze. "I woke up once, but I managed to fall back asleep."

Mom sat on the edge of my bed, the same spot Matteo had occupied hours before. The thought made my cheeks burn.

"Listen to me, Beatrice," she said, lowering her voice. "Antonio and I will be gone for a few days. I don't like leaving you here with those boys, but I don't have a choice."

"I'm fine—"

"No," she cut me off, gripping my hand. "You don't understand. These Vasquez men, they're... different. Dangerous. Especially to a girl like you."

"What do you mean, 'a girl like me'?"

Mom glanced toward the bathroom door, then reached into her bag and pulled out a blue dress. "Here. Wear this today. It will make you look proper, respectable."

I frowned at the conservative dress. "Mom, it's not my style—"

"Please, just do this for me," she insisted. "And remember what I told you—don't let any of them get close to you. Keep your distance."

A knock on the door interrupted us. Antonio stood in the doorway, immaculately dressed in a tailored suit. "Sofia, our car is ready."

Matteo emerged from the bathroom at that moment, his face a mask of arrogance entirely different from the playful boy who'd held me all night. "Morning, Father," he said coolly, as if finding him in a teenage girl's bedroom was perfectly normal.

Mom's face drained of color. "What is he doing here?"

"I came to wake Beatrice for breakfast," Matteo lied smoothly. "Found her just getting up."

Antonio nodded, apparently satisfied with this explanation. "Good. Dante will be in charge while we're gone. Enzo will help Beatrice adjust to our family routines, and perhaps teach her some basic self-defense."

"Self-defense?" Mom echoed, alarmed.

"Just basics," Antonio assured her. "Every young woman should know how to protect herself."

"Her body's already in good shape," Matteo remarked with a smirk. "She won't need much training."

My face burned as Antonio and Mom exchanged glances.

"We should go," Antonio said firmly. "The plane won't wait."

As we followed them downstairs, Matteo walked close behind me, his breath tickling my ear. "You have the softest tits I've ever felt," he whispered, so quietly only I could hear.

I nearly tripped down the stairs, my heart hammering against my ribs.

In the grand foyer, Antonio addressed his sons, who had lined up like soldiers for inspection. "Dante, make sure your brothers behave. Enzo, start Beatrice's training tomorrow. Salvatore and Matteo, stay out of trouble." His eyes lingered on Matteo.

Mom hugged me tightly, whispering, "Be careful," before Antonio ushered her out to a waiting black SUV.

As soon as the door closed, the brothers exchanged looks that sent a chill down my spine.

Back in my room, I searched frantically for my phone and the silver necklace I always wore—the only connection to my past before Sofia adopted me. Both were missing. I tore through drawers, checked under the bed, and even looked in the bathroom. Nothing.

"Looking for something?" Matteo leaned against my doorframe, smirking.

"My necklace," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "And my phone. Where are they?"

He twirled something silver between his fingers—my necklace. "This old thing? I took it as a souvenir of our night together."

"Give it back," I demanded, lunging for it.

Matteo raised it above his head, laughing. "If you want it, you'll have to earn it back. Consider it your... initiation."

"Initiation?"

"Every new person in this house goes through certain... tests," he explained, his blue eyes gleaming. "Complete them, and you'll get your precious necklace back."

"That's ridiculous," I snapped. "Just give it back. It's the only thing I have from my birth family."

Something flickered in his eyes. "If you want it, you'll have to find Salvatore first. He has your next clue." He turned to leave, then paused. "We like to share our new toys among brothers."

I spent the next hour searching the massive house for Salvatore, growing increasingly frustrated. It was clear they were playing with me, leading me in circles. Each room revealed another note, another riddle, pointing me to yet another location where Salvatore wasn't.

Later, as I headed downstairs, voices drifted from Antonio's study. I paused, hearing a stranger mention "the Rossi family crest—a pendant with..."

"Eavesdropping is a dangerous hobby," Dante's cold voice came from behind me. I jumped, spinning around to face him. "You might hear things you're not meant to know."

At noon, all four brothers watched me like hawks, exchanging cryptic comments about my necklace.

"Maybe she's not dedicated enough to earn it back," Salvatore suggested with a cruel smile.

"I think she'll do whatever it takes," Matteo countered, his eyes lingering on my chest.

"Enough!" I finally snapped, slamming my hands on the table. "Why treat me like this?" My voice broke, and to my horror, the tears spilled over, streaming down my cheeks.

Salvatore turned, twirling my necklace around his finger. "Look at her. Pathetic."

Matteo looked up from the table. Something shifted in his expression as he saw my tears.

"For God's sake, stop crying," he called out, striding toward us. "You're embarrassing yourself."

Before Salvatore could react, Matteo snatched the necklace from his hand. "Enough. The game's over."

"What the hell, Matteo?" Salvatore protested. "Why the sudden change?"

Matteo ignored him, walking over to me. "Here," he said, thrusting the necklace at me. "Stop with the waterworks. It's just a stupid necklace."