Accardi by allison franklin novel

You Were My Favorite Hurt, And My Hardest Goodbye by Ava Knight 95 Summary Gen clung to Matteo, noticing the shift in his anger to vulnerability despite his hangover and disheveled appearance. When she pressed him about a picture, he reluctantly revealed that before their wedding, he had found a photo of her with her ex and had taken steps to keep the ex away, showing his deep, complicated feelings. Matteo admitted he had tried to forget her after his family tragedy but failed, acknowledging how much she affected him.

As Gen tried to distance herself, Matteo caught her and confessed the depth of his emotions, describing the panic he feels when he thinks of losing her and his frustration when she takes risks. Their conversation revealed tension over her meeting with Michele, which Matteo found reckless, though Gen stood firm on her decisions. Despite the conflict, Matteo's protective nature and desire to keep her close were clear. Matteo teased Gen about punishing her for her recklessness, and their playful exchange lightened the mood.

He then shared a secret compartment holding a Playboy magazine with a photo of her, symbolizing his hidden feelings and the secrets he keeps. The moment deepened as Matteo pulled out a small black velvet box, hinting at a significant gesture. Their intimate moment was interrupted as Matteo tried to confess something important, but Gen stopped him, sensing it wasn't the right time or way. She asked for a surprise instead, and Matteo agreed, placing the box aside but promising a future filled with love and devotion.

The chapter ended with a tender promise of commitment and hope for their future together. Continue Regular Chapter Reading Below Chapter Ninety-Five Gen pressed herself closer against Matteo's chest, forcing herself to look up and meet his gaze. The fierce, matte-black anger she'd seen in his eyes earlier had softened, replaced by a lighter, more vulnerable shade. Yet, the redness and puffiness around the whites of his eyes betrayed the toll of his hangover. Stubble roughened his jawline, and his hair was tousled-either from restless sleep or the way he'd been running his hands through it.

Right then, as if confirming her suspicion, he raked his fingers through his hair once more. "What picture?" Gen asked again, her voice steady but curious. Matteo took a step back, as if regaining control over his emotions. "Nothing. I was imagining things," he said, trying to brush it off. "Matteo..." she began, but he cut her off with a heavy sigh and retreated further until he could lean against the couch. Crossing his arms, he gave a small, resigned shrug. "We run background checks whenever someone in the family is about to get married.

I found a picture of you." Gen narrowed her eyes, sensing there was more he wasn't saying. "Why do I get the feeling there's more to that story?" Avoiding her gaze, Matteo shrugged again. "Maybe it was a photo of you and your ex. Maybe it set me off in a blind rage. Maybe I cut the picture and gave the half with him on it to Frankie, telling him to make sure that guy wouldn't be at the damn wedding." Shock froze Gen in place. "When?" Finally, Matteo's eyes locked onto hers, as if he needed to see how she would react before continuing. "About six months before the wedding.

When Frankie told me about the side chick in New York, I called in a favor. A friend of mine offered him a job in the city." Her mouth fell open. "You said you didn't know my name. When we met, you didn't know who I was." "I didn't remember your name. I didn't want to. I only let myself know you lived in Boston-nothing more." "Why?" she pressed, heart pounding. "You know why," he said simply. Feeling overwhelmed, Genevieve turned to walk away, needing space, but Matteo followed closely behind. "I never planned to chase after you, Gen. I know who I am.

I know most women would run the other way. Then my family died, and I fell into this pit I couldn't climb out of," Matteo confessed as she hurried down the hallway toward the bedroom. "For a few days, you weren't even in my head. I stopped thinking about seeing you at the wedding. I stopped caring about what I'd wear or what I'd say if I got the chance to talk to you." Gen reached the bedroom door, but before she could slip into the bathroom and escape, Matteo grabbed her wrist, spun her around, and pressed her back against the dresser drawers.

His eyes locked onto hers, intense and unyielding, freezing her in place. "Then you lost that damn bet." His gaze flicked down to her lips and back up again. He shook his head slowly. "You were more than I ever imagined. I couldn't let you go. And I never will." She stared up at him, caught in the desperate glow of his golden-green eyes, which spoke volumes without a single word. She licked her lips, and his eyes followed the movement eagerly. "Every time I think I'm losing you, the panic hits me harder.

When you go against what I tell you or do something reckless, it sends me spiraling out of control. You're my enemies' worst nightmare," he admitted softly. "I'm not going to apologize for meeting with Michele," she said suddenly, knowing that was one reason he'd been distant since returning. He barely touched her, and hadn't even used her nickname. His hand tightened around her waist. "It was suicidal." "Beatrice would have done the same for me." "That's different." "How?" "She knows the risks and is trained for them." "Then train me," Gen challenged. "I intend to.

But until then, you'll be attached to my ankle and punished when necessary." Genevieve bristled at that. "I didn't do anything wrong." "You put yourself in danger. You handed my weakness over to a powerful man without a second thought about what that could mean for the whole organization." "My life isn't worth more than anyone else's." "Not to me." "So, what now? You're going to spank me?" she teased, raising an eyebrow. His eyes roamed over her face, down the slope of her neck, and across her chest. "No. I said punish, not reward. I haven't figured out what exactly I'll do yet.

I'm sure it'll come to me in the heat of the moment." Matteo stepped back, letting her finally take a full breath after minutes of tension. She crossed her arms, smirking. "I want to see that picture. It must have been the best photo ever taken of me to make a powerful mob boss act like this." A smirk tugged at Matteo's lips. He moved closer again, stealing her breath with his nearness. Reaching behind her shoulder, he pulled open his sock drawer, twisting a hidden handle to reveal a secret compartment. He lifted a Playboy magazine stacked on top and handed it to her.

Gen raised an eyebrow but took it, walking over to their bed and sitting on the edge. She flipped through pages filled with tastefully shot, scantily clad women until she spotted a photo tucked between two pages. Holding it up, she showed him the picture he had cut in half-the side with her smiling up at where Brian's head used to be. "Did you ever..." she raised her eyebrows twice, a teasing challenge. Matteo's smirk blossomed into a full grin. "What do you think?" Carefully, Gen slid the photo back into place and stood.

"You've got a lot of big secrets hidden in that tiny drawer," she joked, holding out the magazine for him. His brows furrowed as he studied the cover with unusual focus before tucking it back into the secret compartment. His shoulders tensed as his hand slid further back, past her purple vibrator and the rolled joint, reaching the fourth item stashed there. He pulled his hand back and paused before turning to face her again. Gen's eyes dropped to the small black velvet box he held gently. Her breath caught as his fingers traced the fabric's surface.

She looked up, waiting expectantly, but his gaze stayed fixed on the box, a shy smile playing at his lips. Then, his golden eyes flicked up to meet hers, and he gave a lazy smirk that made her heart explode. He looked so carefree, so boyish in the remnants of yesterday's suit-the white dress shirt rumpled, half of the tail untucked past his hip, his belt undone, and pants sagging slightly from where she'd gripped them tightly to steady herself. Matteo reached out and took one of her hands in his. She studied his face-the content smile, the lightness in his eyes, the way he bit his lip.

To anyone else, he'd seem like he was on top of the world, but she saw past the facade. "You want me to share all my secrets, Weakness?" he asked, his voice low and tender. Her eyes fluttered closed at the sound of his nickname for her. He pulled her closer. "I'll tell you my biggest one. I want you to be my..." "Stop," she interrupted, pushing lightly against his chest, making his eyes widen with concern. "What?" "I mean..." She shook her head, suddenly unsure. "This isn't how you planned it, is it?" Matteo smiled softly and looked back down at the box. "No.

It's not." "Then I don't want it like this." "You want me to surprise you?" he asked, hope flickering in his eyes. She nodded. Carefully, Matteo placed the box on top of the dresser drawer. Pulling her back into his embrace, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders. "Did you see it already?" he asked quietly. She nodded shyly. "Did I do good?" Gen smiled into his shoulder. "Yes, you did very good." He lowered his mouth to her ear. "I've got it all planned out, Genevieve-the where, the when, the speech, the night after," he whispered, making her knees weak.

"I'll keep it a surprise, but I'll go ahead and spoil the ending for you. You're going to say yes, and I'm going to spend the rest of my life worshiping you for it." Gen smiled into his shirt, her eyes drifting over his shoulder to the ring box as she pictured it all so vividly. Conclusion The chapter closes on a tender and vulnerable moment between Gen and Matteo, where past wounds and hidden emotions surface, yet their connection remains undeniable.

Matteo's confession of his fears, regrets, and fierce protectiveness reveals the depth of his feelings, while Gen's playful yet earnest responses show her strength and willingness to face the risks that come with loving him. Their exchange about secrets, trust, and the promise of a future together highlights the fragile but unbreakable bond they share, even amidst the chaos surrounding them. As they stand wrapped in each other's arms, the anticipation of what's to come lingers in the air, filled with hope and unspoken promises.

As Matteo's vulnerabilities come to light, so too will the challenges they face in balancing love with the dangerous world they inhabit. The emotional stakes are higher than ever, and readers will find themselves caught between hope and tension as these two navigate their uncertain future together. Expect moments charged with both tenderness and conflict, as Gen and Matteo confront the consequences of their choices and the secrets they keep. The promise of a surprise proposal hangs in the air, but with it comes the question of whether their love can withstand the pressures surrounding them.

This chapter will leave you yearning to see how their story unfolds, as passion, loyalty, and doubt intertwine in unexpected ways.