Chapter 106

Genevieve shifted nervously on her feet, the tension knotting her stomach as she waited for Matteo to unlock the door to their apartment. The muted sounds of his voice drifted from inside, clipped and sharp.

“Bennett,” Matteo repeated with a hint of irritation. “Noah Bennett.” The door swung open, and without hesitation, Gen slipped past him. “Jesus, Gen,” he muttered, but she paid him no mind, her mind racing faster than her feet.

Inside, Matteo was still barking orders into his phone, his tone businesslike and cold. Gen hurried down the hallway, her heart pounding as she entered the sunroom—a small, bright space where sunlight filtered through large windows, illuminating the scattered boxes she hadn’t yet unpacked. Without hesitation, she tore at the tape sealing the first box, tossing its contents haphazardly onto the floor. Frustration bubbled up, and she cursed under her breath, flinging the empty box aside before tearing into the next one.

“Gen…” Matteo’s voice called from the doorway, finally off the phone. “What are you looking for?”

She paused, fingers tangled in her hair, eyes wild with desperation. The silence stretched for a moment before she pushed the second box aside with a sharp motion.

“Genevieve,” he said again, softer this time.

Suddenly, she exclaimed, “Aha!” holding up the bug detector triumphantly. She turned, offering him a determined nod before striding back toward the hallway.