She’sin a silk gown the color of red wine, blood-rich and clinging in all the right places. There’s a slit that adds the perfect amount of sex and allure without being too trashy.
She is perfection in human form. And I’m not the only man who thinks so. Every male watches her with intrigue, and the women glare with envy.
Her neck is graced by a ruby-red necklace that seems out of place on her. It’s gaudy, flashy, and very much Giacomo. But even in its beauty, I know exactly what it is. It’s a leash—his leash on her.
She is under his command. You see it in the way they interact with each other. The way Giacomo holds her arm like he owns her. The way his eyes roam the room, not for enemies, but forwitnesses to show off to. Like he needs everyone to see that she’s his—the most coveted trophy claimed by his hands.
My jaw clenches.
All this time, his bride has been right under my nose—and I’ve been losing my mind over her without even knowing she was his.
Giacomo leads them into the ballroom and toward the bar. All eyes stay glued on them, and I hear the whispers and chatter already beginning. I know that, come morning, she will be the talk of the town and in turn have a massive target on her back.
It’s exactly what he wants. She is just another pawn in his game for power.
“I need a refill. You want one, boss?” Valerio tries to break my focus from the couple. “I’m going to get you one anyway. Don’t do anything dumb while I’m gone. I don’t have my gun on me right now.”
I don’t respond. My eyes stay fixed on her, completely and utterly captivated.
An angry red monster rears its ugly head in the middle of my chest when I see him whisper right by her ear.
I don’t want him touching her. I don’t want him anywhere near her.
Giacomo takes Beatrice to the side, near the pillars close to the orchestra playing in the background. All the while, he’s schmoozing and rubbing elbows with the rest of the crowd. Then he excuses himself and walks off with Arthur Valdez.
When he moves farther into the crowd and leaves her alone, I see it as my chance.
Honestly, it’s best to stay away from her, knowing now how closely linked she is to Giacomo. But for some reason, that only draws me closer.
I want her in ways I’ve never wanted anyone in my entire life. She’s like a hit of crack. One taste and I’m undone.
I make my way toward her, and thankfully, she doesn’t see me until it’s too late to run. Her eyes widen only by a fraction before I come to a halt in front of her.
“So this is him. The man you’re set to marry.”
The words leave me calm,measured—nothing like the way the truth tears through me on the inside.
“Of all the men in this city—hell, on this planet—you chose him?”
I pause,the silence heavy enough to bruise.
Her eyes meet mine, seeing more than I want her to.
A strained smile tugs at my mouth. “You’re marrying that tyrant?”
The air between us tightens, the room seeming to hold itself still as she draws a breath.
“Matteo, I?—”
A server appears at our side, tray balanced neatly. “Drinks for the two of you?”
Just like that, the moment collapses.
She straightens, smoothing her expression. “No, thank you.”
Her voice is steadier now, but her eyes aren’t.
I take her hand and lift it to my lips, brushing a slow kiss across her knuckles.
