“Oh. It’s you. How did you find me?”
Matteo frowns. “Find you? I was visiting the park today and I happened to see you, so I came over to talk.”
“So… Enzo didn’t send you?”
“No. Enzo didn’t even tell me you were gone.” He flashes me a charming smile that makes my face flush. He is distractingly handsome.
“Are you going to take me back to my husband now?”
He leans in closer. “Why would I do that? This can be our little secret.”
My heart skips a beat but for some reason, it’s not out of excitement. It’s out of… worry. I’m not sure I want to be keeping secrets with Matteo. I may hate my husband but Enzo is still my husband. I took a vow and I made a promise for peace. Keeping secrets with another man seems the opposite of that.
“I should go,” I say. “It was nice seeing you again, Matteo. But I need to head home before Enzo gets too upset.”
“That’s a shame. I thought we could spend some time together.”
“Listen, I know I flirted with you the other day but that was just to get under Enzo’s skin. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have used you like that. But I’m not interested.” If I were single, then maybe… but I can’t risk my marriage with Enzo.
“That’s not what I’ve heard about you.”
“What have you heard?”
“That you’ve been with a lot of men. I was told that you never say no.”
My spine stiffens. “I haven’t actually been with that many men. It’s just a rumor. And I always say no. I don’t like men invading my space.”
“But if you always say no, then how have you slept with any men before?”
“I just… haven’t. Ok?”
“You haven’t slept with anybody? Are you telling me you’re a virgin, Kira?”
I take a step away from him but he only steps closer. “I’m not telling you anything. I’m not a slut though, ok? And even if I have been with hundreds of men, that still wouldn’t make me a slut. I can make my own decisions. So, if you’ll excuse me…”
“If you’ve never known the touch of a man, I can show you.” He grabs my arms, halting me.
“Let me go.” I try to wiggle away but his hold only tightens.
“You played hard to get. You flirted with me. You showed interest. You’re playing a dangerous game, little girl. Don’t tempt a man like me.”
“But you’re Enzo’s friend. If you hurt his wife, he won’t like that.”
“Enzo and I are more business partners than friends. And what he doesn’t know, won’t hurt him.” Matteo wraps his arms around me and tries to kiss me but I keep moving my face around, preventing him. I thought Matteo was handsome when I first laid eyes on him but now I see him for who he really is: a monster.
Just like all the men in the mafia. Just like my own husband.
But to Enzo’s credit, he’s never forcibly put his hands on me. He’s never put me in this position.
Matteo lowers me to the ground and gets on top of me. I kick and I scream with everything inside of me. I will not be raped. This will not be my first sexual experience.
I deserve more.
When Matteo’s hands lower to the waistband of my jeans, I use that to my advantage. I kick him in the balls, making him groan and flinch back.
Scrambling to my feet, I run back in the direction I came. Matteo gives chase but when I leave the path and end up back near the fountain, Matteo stops. There’s too many people around.
I keep running until I make it back to the car and return home.