Accardi (Genevieve and Matteo) by Allison Franklin novel Chapter 45

Chapter Forty–Five

She could feel the moment he walked into the propr

Genevieve always hated that line. How could someone feel another’s presence su profoundly they knew when they entered a room? It was idiotic. That’s why she absolutely refused to acknowledge when she felt him enter the room. No, she only knew because everyone else noticed him. It was because everyone else in the hos looking over the perfectly manicured track below stopped their conversation to stare at the enigmatic man. Even as she felt Matter’s eyes boring into her from across the room, sweeping over her entire body, she refused to glance his way.

Instead she kept her attention on the group of women she’d become surrounded by. Maisy was to her right, her red hair coiled into a perfectly coiffed updo that made her round face all the prettier. The woman had snagged her by the arm the moment Leo deposited her in the box. She’d swept her around the room, collecting women as she went. After the first few introductions, Gen quickly realized these weren’t women she could potentially pull in as clients for the accounting firm as she’d hoped. They were clearly from Matteo’s other family business.

As they discussed upcoming events like the famous Spring Gala, tea parties, luncheons, and the ever elusive invitation to the Italian soiree that happens every year, Genevieve sipped her sweet tea and ignored the heat of Matteo’s gaze. She smiled and nodded along as though she were clued in to the darker side of her boss‘ life.

Gen tried to think of an excuse to get away from the group of women as the conversation shifted to the newest fashion trends. She glanced down at her own simple sundress. It was most definitely not up to these women’s standards, She’d found it in a bin marked half–off at her local thrift store. It fit her well, but came nowhere close to the gowns worn by these women which ranged from hundreds to thousands of dollars.

Gen finally broke and sent a fleeting glance toward the man whose magnetic pull threatened to suck her across the room. His eyes sharpened as their gazes connected. He was on the opposite end of the room but even still she had to stifle a gasp at the sight of him. He wore a slim, grey pinstripe suit with a white button–down shirt and a floral tie. She glanced down at her own dress with the same pattern of soft pink roses as the ones on his tie. When she looked back up at him he raised his glass to his lips and winked.

“Uh oh, here comes trouble,” one of the women announced, pulling Gen’s attention away from Matteo.

She looked in the direction the women were staring and couldn’t help the blush that coated her cheeks as Paul sauntered toward them. She had only ever seen him in a suit three times: for his uncle’s funeral, and the two proms they attended as a couple. As a fully grown man, he cut quite the figure in his navy blue suit and cornflower blue tie. His eyes were locked on her as he closed the distance, flashing his thousand–watt smile that used to make her knees

Gen tried to figure out if he was hurt from the night before. It hadn’t taken rocket science to figure out how Matteo bloodied his knuckles. Yet, as she looked at Paul now, his own knuckles were completely unscathed. There was no bruising on his face, either. The only tell he’d been injured at all was how his right leg hitched as he walked,

“Hello, ladies, I thought we were here to see a horse race, not host a fashion show,” Paul said, as he entered the circle. “Then again, I’m not one to complain about a change in headliner.”

The women around her all laughed and fanned themselves. “Oh, Paul, you’re too much,” the senior of the women said as her eyes perused his person without shame

“Only for you, Claudette,” he said with a wink causing her to giggle. “Have you ladies placed your bets yet?”

A soft murmur was their answer. They had just finished griping about how their various men refused to allow them to bet with their money.

“I have,” Gen said with a slight raise of her hand, causing all the women to glare with envy.

Paul’s baby blue eyes were laser focused. His lids drooped as him doing just that, hoping it didn’t show on her face.

they always did when he was secon

was seconds away from kissing her.

n her. She blinked away the memories of

1/1

Chapter Forty–Five

“Who did you bet on? Maisy asked, sipping her lemonade

“Royal Commander,” she announced to which most of the women nodded in agreement.

Paul’s smile turned predatory. “Come on, Gen, I know you better than that. I thought you always go

“You two know each other?” Maisy asked, pointing a

finger between the t

“We were high school sweethearts, weren’t we, Gen?” Paul informed her.

go for the underdog?”

Cen gave a tight smile. “I used to go for the underdog. Then I realized I would much rather have a sure thing.”

Paul’s smile faltered for a split second. “But if Taming the Shrew takes home the cup, you’d triple your earnings.”

“I’m not interested in betting on something in the hopes that he makes it across the finish line. I would much rather put my money on the one who’s proven himself time and time again and won’t disappoint me in the end

Paul’s smile wavered as he took in her double meaning.

“Isn’t Taming the Shrew a mare?” one of the women asked the group

“Well, just know that Royal Commander is not necessarily what he appears, Gen,” Paul w

warned.

She narrowed I her eyes at him while the women glanced between the two with curiosity. “I’m fully

fully aware of Royal Commander’s different endeavors off the

track. I just don’t see how that is any of your concern.”

“Gen… Maybe we could talk in private. Go to dinner with me tonight and I can explain,” Paul suggested as if they didn’t have an audience.

Genevieve felt the pull of Matteo’s gaze intensify. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end in awareness while her heart rate climbed as the scent of him invaded her senses. A moment later she felt his hand settle against her waist. Paul’s eyes zeroed in on the gesture. A flash of familiar jealousy raced across his eyes before he schooled his expression and looked up at Matteo with a friendly smile.

“Mr. Accardi, nice to see you again,” Paul said with far more enthusiasm than required.

Matteo tightened his hold on Gen’s waist and gave feeling this morning?”

a curt nod toward Paul as he raised his glass to his lips. “Nice to see you too, Paul. How’s the stomach

Paul’s face lost a few degrees of color and Cen looked to the flat plains of Paul’s stomach.

“It’s fine, thank you for your help last night. Cen, can I have a word?”

“The race is about to start, Mr. Brooks. I thought the ladies would like to take their seats?” he asked, glancing around at the various women who gawked at the mafia don staking his claim

“Right.” “Yes” “Of course.” They all spoke at the same time, scattering like mice who just spotted a cat.

“Genevieve, please,” Paul asked earnestly,

Cen glanced up at Matteo to find him now glaring at Paul. “Yeah, sure, but let’s make it quick”

2/3

1:06 am D

Chapter Forty–Five

Matteo’s hand pulsed against her waist. He pivoted around, blocking her view of the other man. His jaw ticked and he shook his head once.

11 be okay,” she reassured him. “Just a quick, talk, and I’ll meet you at mur

Matten leaned forward so he could whisper in her ear, “Our private box is in the hallway through the door to the right. You better be there by the time the race starts. If you’re not, I’ll do worse than beat the fuck out of him again. And remember, if he touches you.”

“Gen?” Paul interrupted, extending the very hand Matteo was about to threaten.

Genevieve looked up at Matteo as he leaned back and released her waist.

“You can walk with me and show me to our box, Gen suggested to Paul.

Though Matteo’s glare turned even hotter, Paul smiled from ear to ear. She sidestepped his extended hand and started for the door. Before she could open it herself, Paul was there to do it for her. Genevieve looked over her shoulder for one last glance at the fuming Don before the door closed.

Out in the hallway, Paul took her by the hand. He led her past the door to Matteo’s private box and into a supply closet. Her nose pinched at the scent of cleaner permeating the air.

“Genevieve, I don’t know if you’re fully aware of what you’ve gotten yourself into,” Paul said without preamble.

Gen sighed. “Paul,

“Paul, I do know. I know exactly what Mr. Accardi deals in, however, I’m not part of

of that.”

Paul laughed. “You really

really think you can pick and choose? You’re fooling yourself.”

“Accardi Industries is the first multi–million dollar account we’ve had at my firm. We were close to bankruptcy, I didn’t have a choice.”

His eyes brightened with something that looked like hope. “So, you’re only with him because……”

“I’m not with him,” she interrupted defensively.

His hand reached out and skimmed her forearm “You can have dinner with me then,” he argued.

Gen sighed and rubbed her temples. “If I have dinner w

with you, will you leave me alone?”

Paul nodded eagerly. “Of course, if that’s what you want. I just want to catch up. Reconnect.”

race would be starting in a few minutes. “Pick me up at the

Sure. Reconnect. She thought to herself just as the speakers crackled to

to life to announce the race hotel at Seven. It’s just dinner, Paul.”

His smile faltered before he brushed it aside with a dismissive hand gesture. “We’ll see where the night takes us.” Paul’s phone began to ring and he sighed

the brush when he looked down at the name. “I’ve got to go.”

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