Chapter One-Hundred and Thirteen

Lauren's POV

Shirley’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets as she stared at me in disbelief after my confession of wanting to see Matteo alone.

“Lauren, are you out of your mind!?” She yelled, her sharp voice cutting through the tense air around us. “Why on earth would you even think about doing that? I might not know him, but I know he’s dangerous, and I’m sure you know it too. He’s not someone you just walk up to and strike up some conversation with.”

I felt the every single word she said and how true they were, but I couldn’t back down. I couldn’t let fear dictate my actions.

“I might not have met him as well, but I know exactly what kind of person Matteo is, Shirley. Yes, he’s a dangerous man. But that’s precisely why I need to do this.” My voice was steadier than I felt inside. “The only way to get off his list of people to hurt is to head straight for him and come to an agreement. If we wait around, doing nothing, he’ll come for us when we least expect