Kendall is mine

DEIRDRE

The look in Matteo's eyes told me he meant business and was willing to do whatever it took to get what he wanted. But I wouldn't let him have the satisfaction without a fight. He would never take my child from me.

If he killed me, maybe he would succeed. However, the thought of lying dead on the floor sent a shiver down my spine. No, I had to fight back. I couldn't let him win.

"I'm not pregnant, Matteo. Fuck off," I scowled and pushed him away as he tried to grab my hand.

"You were," Matteo corrected me. "I'll forgive you for keeping me out of her life, but I won't forgive you for taking her away without my knowledge and raising her like a bastard!"

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

Matteo laughed, cold and cruel, "Don't play dumb, Deirdre. I know everything. You can't hide the truth from me."

"I don't have any child of yours with me," I protested.

"You've told me many lies, and I won't forgive you this time. I'm taking Kendall away from you, and there's nothing you can do about it. You should know I'm ready to fight you if you try anything!" Matteo snapped.

He threw a handful of photos at me, and I snatched one from the floor. My fingers shook as I turned it over to see Kendall's smiling face. Kendall was the one person who brought joy to my life, and now Matteo was using her against me. Fear crept up my spine. How did he know about her? Had someone told him? I struggled to keep a straight face, not wanting to reveal anything.

Matteo was a powerful man with many watchdogs. I wouldn't be surprised if he had someone watching me. He let out a hollow laugh as if he knew he had me right where he wanted me.

"See, I have the power to do what I want?" Matteo's words were hard, and I felt the wall I had built around me for four years crumble instantly.

I stepped towards him, desperate to plead for Kendall's safety, but he held out a hand to stop me. "You are useless to me, and I have no need for you."

His words made me tremble. I had known Matteo was unfeeling, but this was a new level of cruelty. I wondered if I had made a mistake by accepting his proposal. I had seen all the red flags, but I had ignored them in my desire to be with him.

I had thought he was Prince Charming, but little did I know, he was the devil himself. If he hadn't come into my life, I would still be living my quiet life as a translator.

I could have ignored him the first time he signalled for me to have dinner with him. We first met at an auction, where I was the translator for a wealthy nobleman. I had noticed Matteo, so handsome and quiet, at the corner, watching as everything unfolded. I had assumed he was one of the artists until he started speaking with my employer. His subtle gaze towards me made me think he was interested in me, but I never knew he wanted to use me.

My employer had warned me to stay away from him, as he was one of the most dangerous men in Sicily, but I had brushed it off, thinking he was only a ruthless businessman. I had foolishly dived straight into his bed without thinking, let him fuck me over again, and when he proposed, I had thought it was love and had jumped at the offer.

It wasn't until after the wedding that I saw all the red flags I had been blind to. They had been present from the beginning, but I had been too stupid to notice them.

As Matteo stepped away from me to answer his phone, I took a deep breath and paced around the room. I stopped in front of him, ready to beg for Kendall's life, but when his beautiful grey eyes gazed at me, I forgot all I had wanted to say. I licked my bottom lip, feeling flushed.

His eyes often did something weird to me, stirring up strange sensations inside me. It wasn't in an awful way; it was a look that screamed, "I want to fuck you, and I hope you are aware of that."

I wondered how many women he had lured into his bed just by staring at them. Fucking and proposing to women was a game to Matteo and people like him. They never committed and never would.

As soon as he finished talking, he tossed his phone aside and gazed at me, "What? Are you ready to bring her to me now, seeing as you have no powers against me?"

I shook my head, trembling as sudden rage glided through my body.

Clenching my fists, I breathed slowly, trying to control my anger.

"Give me a few days with her." I gritted my teeth, knowing nothing I said would make Matteo agree.

He was fucking hard-headed.

"No darling," Matteo shook his head. "You had all the time with her; I believe it's my turn now."

"She is not a commodity that can be whisked around whenever!" I yelled, rather upset.

"And?" Matteo raised his brows.

"She is a fucking child. She should not concern you because our contract has been dissolved. Kendall is mine!"

As Matteo stood up, I became acutely aware of his towering height, which loomed above my 5ft6.

He stepped towards me and loosened the tie around his neck. He yanked it off and undid the buttons on his pristine shirt.

"What are you doing?" I sucked in a deep breath as he slipped out of his shirt.

And then he undid his belt.

Swallowing down the lump in my throat, I glance at the door. I knew it was locked, and I doubted there was another means of escape as several alarms rang in my head.