Chapter 74

Genevieve settled into the back seat of the SUV, her heart fluttering with anticipation as they neared their destination. She shifted forward slightly, eager to catch a glimpse of the elusive club Matteo always mentioned but never fully revealed. Catching Leo’s sly grin reflected in the rearview mirror, she felt a warm blush rise to her cheeks and quickly leaned back, trying to mask her excitement. Matteo’s gaze remained fixed on the passing scenery outside, but without looking, his hand found hers, fingers intertwining naturally. His thumb brushed gently over the back of her hand, a silent reassurance.

He turned his head slightly, eyes filled with the same quiet admiration he’d shown all evening. Lifting her hand to his lips, he pressed a soft kiss to the back of it. “There’s no reason for you to be nervous,” he murmured.

Genevieve’s reply came a little too quickly. “I’m not nervous.”

Matteo raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced, as if he already knew her too well to be fooled. She sighed and confessed, “Okay, maybe a little nervous.” Both men chuckled softly at her honesty. “But mostly, I’m excited. I’ve heard whispers about this club around the office, but no one really knows what it is.”

“Who’s been talking?” Matteo asked, his brow furrowing in a way that hinted at his more serious, ‘mafia boss’ side.

Gen rolled her eyes playfully. “No one but you, really. That guy Raphael mentioned something once, and I overheard Kaitlin gossiping. But no one really understands what it’s about. All I know is what you told me back at the hospital. I don’t even know the club’s name.”

“That’s because it doesn’t have one,” Matteo explained. “My father built it before I was born. He believed that giving it a name would make it too easy to find, which, as you can imagine, wouldn’t be a good thing.”