Chapter 143

Chapter One Hundred and Forty-Three

Gen’s breath came in ragged gasps, each inhale a struggle as Matteo grabbed the bat from her trembling hands and flung it across the dimly lit warehouse. His fingers reached out, brushing her shoulder, but she shoved him away fiercely.

“You were late!” she shouted, her voice cracking with frustration and exhaustion.

Matteo raised his hands in a peaceful gesture, his dark eyes gleaming with a strange mix of regret and resolve under the harsh fluorescent glow. “I know. I’m sorry, Gen. I really am.”

“What happened to the plan?” she demanded, voice sharp. “I picked Leo’s bat for a reason. It was supposed to be one clean hit and done…”

Before she could finish, Matteo cupped her face gently, pulling her into a kiss. Gen wanted to scream, to throw a punch, or just collapse from sheer fatigue. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, leaning on him as he pressed his lips to hers, trying to soothe the anger burning inside her. When he pulled back, his hands lingered on her cheeks, inspecting the bruises and swelling. His eyes darkened with a dangerous intensity, jaw twitching as he touched the tender skin. Gen hissed and pulled away, making him growl low in his throat.

“What the hell is going on?” Michele groaned from the floor, rolling onto his back and clutching his knee in pain.