Accardi by allison franklin novel

You Were My Favorite Hurt, And My Hardest Goodbye by Ava Knight 43 Summary Genevieve nervously boards a private jet with Leo, heading to Austin for a weekend getaway with Matteo Accardi. Although intimidated by flying, she is drawn into the luxurious yet tense atmosphere inside the jet. Matteo appears heavily intoxicated and unpredictable, making Gen uneasy as Leo tries to manage the situation and keep things under control. Matteo's drunken behavior is both menacing and mischievous, creating an uncomfortable dynamic between the three.

As the flight progresses, Matteo's intoxicated state worsens, but Leo reassures Gen that he will soon be asleep. When Matteo finally drifts off, Gen attempts to rouse him gently, leading to a brief, intimate moment that reveals the complicated and charged nature of their relationship. Despite Matteo's erratic behavior, there is a clear undercurrent of desire and tension between them. Upon arriving in Austin, the mood shifts as Matteo's playful and possessive side emerges.

At the hotel, he tries to secure a shared room with Gen, but she discovers he has been outmaneuvered by someone named Alexander. Matteo's reaction is a mix of frustration and tenderness as he slips a key card into Gen's pocket, hinting at plans to keep her close despite the challenges. The chapter ends with a shocking encounter: Gen spots Paul Brooks at the hotel entrance, a figure from her past whose presence stirs deep emotions and surprise. This unexpected reunion adds a new layer of complexity and unresolved tension to the unfolding story.

Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter Forty-Three Genevieve's stomach churned uneasily as the SUV glided smoothly through the security gate and rolled onto the tarmac. The city lights of New York shimmered faintly in the distance, casting a delicate glow over the otherwise dark and vast airport. Clutching her neon pink carry-on tightly against her chest, she tried to steady her nerves as Leo waved casually at another SUV heading off in the opposite direction. "So, a private jet, huh?" Gen ventured, hoping to distract herself with some light conversation. A weekend getaway?

With Matteo? In Austin? She couldn't help but wonder what on earth she was thinking. "Mama," Leo confirmed with a knowing smile. Gen raised an eyebrow. "So, how does he manage it?" Leo chuckled softly. "Mr. Accardi is a wealthy man." Gen laughed, shaking her head. "No kidding. I meant more like, how does a guy who's terrified of heights get on a plane that flies six miles up in the air?" "The old-fashioned way," Leo replied with a smirk. The SUV pulled up beside a sleek, small private jet. Gen swallowed hard, counting the windows with her fingers-there weren't many.

She wasn't much of a fan of flying herself, especially not in something that looked so fragile, like it could fall apart at the slightest turbulence. The jet's door suddenly opened, making her jump slightly. Leo raised a brow at her reaction. He pulled her neon pink suitcase from the trunk and gestured toward the stairs. Gen took the first step, but Leo grabbed her elbow gently. "Wait for me. I don't know how far he's gone," he said quietly. While she tried to process what he meant, Leo handed their luggage to a tarmac worker who quickly stowed it beneath the plane.

Then he returned to her side and nodded for her to go ahead. As she ascended the steps, the engines roared to life. Once inside, Gen stifled a gasp. The interior was stunning: four oversized armchairs, two sofas, a compact kitchenette, a small table, and two doors-one marked as a restroom, the other leading to the back of the plane. Everything gleamed with polished white leather and gold accents, exuding an air of opulence. It looked less like an airplane and more like a penthouse loft with wings.

"We're all here," Leo called out to the pilot, who barely glanced at them before locking himself in the cockpit. Gen's eyes scanned the cabin again, confusion creeping in. "Where's...?" Before she could finish, the rear door slammed open. A heavily intoxicated Matteo Accardi appeared, leaning unsteadily against the doorframe. A trembling glass tumbler pressed to his lips, he threw his head back, draining the last of the amber liquid inside. A sharp hiss escaped him as he set the glass down. She felt Leo's hand grip her elbow again, as if bracing for impact.

"Accardi, how much have you had?" Leo asked, his voice firm. Matteo's bloodshot eyes flicked toward them. His narrowed gaze suddenly widened, lips curling into a predatory grin. "Nearly enough," he slurred. Clearing his throat, he added, "Glad to see you didn't back out, Miss Sinclair." His voice was thick with intoxication. "Care to sit?" he offered, motioning toward one of the armchairs. Gen hesitated, eyeing him warily as she made her way to the chair, all the while feeling his gaze tracking her like a lion stalking its prey.

She settled into the seat and watched as Matteo pushed off the doorframe, swaying unsteadily toward her before collapsing beside her. Leo caught him by the upper arm. "Hey," Matteo whined plaintively. "Careful," Leo warned quietly. Matteo wrenched his arm free from Leo's hold. "What could I possibly do?" he muttered, collapsing heavily into the armchair next to Gen. Leo sighed deeply. "I'll get the hammer," he said, his voice low and serious. Leo turned the volume on the plane's intercom down to ten and spoke to Gen in a quieter tone.

"Don't listen to what he says." Gen guessed, with a knowing look, "He doesn't mean what he says when he's drunk, right?" Leo shook his head. "No, he does." Without another word, Leo strode off toward the kitchenette. Gen glanced back at Matteo, who was already watching her with glassy eyes and a faint, almost mischievous smile. "You have to drink to withstand..." Matteo began. Before she could finish, his hand covered her mouth with a surprisingly gentle touch. "If you say it, my adrenaline spikes, and I have to drink even more. The more I drink, the hornier I get.

Then I get a bit handsy, and before you know it, I've got you on all fours in the back bedroom begging me to keep going." "That's true," Leo said, returning with a refilled glass and holding it in front of Matteo's face, forcing him to cross his eyes. "Remember last time?" Leo teased with a wink. Matteo's eyes narrowed first at Leo, then at Gen, who started laughing. "Cock block," Matteo muttered as he sipped the whiskey. Leo tapped the bottom of the glass and encouraged Matteo to chug the rest. When he finished, Leo took the glass away and patted him on the head.

Matteo flailed an arm, batting Leo away. "Thanks, Dad," he mocked with a grin. "Sure thing, kiddo," Leo replied, expression deadpan. Once Leo put the glass away, he returned to one of the remaining chairs and buckled himself in. Leaning across the aisle toward Gen, he said, "Don't worry, he'll be out within a few minutes." "Don't talk about me," Matteo warned, eyes already closed, head resting against the seat. Gen looked around, noticing there wasn't even a flight attendant onboard. "Is it just us?" she asked Leo. He nodded, pulling a crime novel from his backpack.

"He doesn't like people seeing him like this," Leo explained, nodding toward Matteo. "You've seen me like this hundreds of times," Matteo mumbled, voice fading. "Yeah, one of four," Leo argued with a grunt. A peaceful smile spread across Matteo's face. "One of five," he corrected, before his face slackened into sleep. Leo glanced at Gen and gave her a knowing smile. Four hours later, the plane touched down at Austin Bergstrom International Airport. Gen gathered whatever energy she had left after the long day.

Meanwhile, Leo knelt beside Matteo, who was still unconscious, gently shaking him and trying to rouse him. "Want me to try?" Gen offered. Leo laughed. "Hiding a pitcher of water in your pink carry-on?" "No, mine's much simpler than that," she said with a smirk. Gen approached Matteo and looked at Leo, spinning her finger in a circle to signal him to turn around. Leo rolled his eyes but complied. Biting her lip, Gen sat down on Matteo's lap. She ran her hands up his chest and lowered her lips to his ear. "Wake up, Matteo," she whispered softly, her breath warm against his skin.

Her words sent a shiver down her spine as his strong hand gripped her bare waist firmly. "Wake up, or you're gonna miss me stepping out of the bath," she teased, her hair still dripping wet, water droplets glistening on her skin. She pressed her lips to his ear again. "I'm about to put my robe on. You better-" Suddenly, his right hand tightened around her waist while his left tangled in her wet hair, yanking her head back gently. His eyes, heavy with sleep but burning with desire, roamed over her body. "Liar," he hissed, making her laugh softly.

"Get him up for me, Leo," Gen said, sliding off his lap. "Don't worry, I have a punishment in mind for you," Matteo threatened, lust shining in his eyes as he watched her move away and step out of the plane. The ride to the hotel was quiet. It was nearly two in the morning, and Gen felt utterly drained. All she wanted was to crawl beneath the soft, crisp sheets of their hotel room and fall into a deep sleep. Matteo's mood shifted as they neared the hotel. Every few minutes, she caught his intense gaze fixed on the side of her face.

When she glanced back with a raised brow, he would simply smile and wink. He was clearly up to something, but she had no clue what-until they reached the front desk. "So, you're all booked for the weekend, huh? No vacancy?" the receptionist asked, fluttering her lashes at Matteo. Matteo's soft smile was directed at Gen rather than the pretty blonde. "Yes, ma'am," the receptionist replied in a thick Texas drawl. Gen raised an eyebrow at Matteo. "That's good. Means a lot of people will be at the event tomorrow." "Lucky for us. Maybe not for you," Matteo said with a sly grin.

"What are you-?" "Name's Accardi. I believe I have just the one room? I'll be needing two cards," he announced, winking at Gen. Gen realized then what he was up to. Forced proximity, no doubt. Something mischievous flickered in his eyes as he waited for her reaction. She smiled brightly and pulled her ID and credit card from her wallet, slapping them down on the desk. "Genevieve Sinclair," she announced. Matteo's smile faded slowly as the receptionist handed Gen a key card for her own room. Then she held up a card in front of Matteo's face triumphantly.

"Looks like someone got to Alexander before you did, Mr. Accardi," she said. His eyes narrowed. Taking one of his cards, he suddenly yanked Gen closer with a sharp tug. He slipped a card into the back pocket of her jeans, his touch surprisingly tender despite the roughness of the move. "You'll still need it. I'm sure of that," he murmured. "You're still drunk," she whispered, staring deep into his golden brown eyes rimmed with red. He lowered his face until their lips were mere inches apart.

"Maybe." She caught the scent of whiskey on his breath, so strong it almost made her dizzy-intoxicated by the fumes alone. Gen froze. The voice was so familiar. Paul stopped in his tracks. A flood of memories surged through her, making her knees tremble. She turned toward the hotel entrance and gasped. There he was, just as she remembered: sun-kissed skin, tousled blond hair, and those piercing blue eyes that seemed to light up with a quarterback's confidence. "Mr. Brooks, I'll be with you in a moment," the receptionist said politely.

"Paul?" Gen whispered, disbelief coloring her voice as she ignored Matteo completely. "That can't really be you," she murmured under her breath. Conclusion This chapter beautifully captures the tension and vulnerability threading through Genevieve's journey. The intimate moments aboard the private jet reveal the complex dynamics between her, Matteo, and Leo, highlighting themes of control, desire, and the fragile balance of power in their relationships.

Genevieve's cautious yet playful interactions with Matteo, alongside Leo's protective presence, deepen the emotional resonance and hint at the challenges they face together. As they arrive in Austin, the quiet anticipation and subtle undercurrents of past and present intertwine, leaving Genevieve caught between familiar ghosts and uncertain futures. The unexpected appearance of Paul adds a layer of poignant reflection, reminding us that the past is never far behind.

How will Gen reconcile the past she thought was behind her with the present that refuses to be simple? The emotional stakes are rising, and the quiet moments of the night are about to give way to a storm of feelings. Meanwhile, Matteo's unpredictable mood and the subtle power plays between him and Gen suggest that their weekend getaway is anything but peaceful. The forced proximity, combined with Matteo's intoxicated vulnerability and sharp wit, sets the stage for moments of raw honesty and perhaps unexpected tenderness.

Yet, beneath the surface, there's a tension that neither of them can fully control. As the story unfolds, readers will be drawn deeper into the complexities of their relationship and the secrets that threaten to unravel everything they've built.