Chapter 3 - Playing with Fire
The reaction was instantaneous.
From the ballroom floor, Liam’s face went from pale to completely white. He took two steps toward the stairs, his eyes wide with a mixture of horror and fury, but Amber grabbed his arm, her face contorted in a mask of jealousy. She whispered something fiercely in his ear, pointing at us, but Liam couldn't look away from his father’s hand resting against my neck.
"They're watching," I murmured to Nico, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"Let them watch," Nico replied, his thumb gently caressing my jawline. "In my world, if you want to make an impression, you don't whisper. You scream."
He offered me his arm. I slid my hand through the crook of his elbow, the expensive wool of his suit jacket smooth under my fingers. Together, we walked down the grand staircase, descending into the heart of the ballroom like royalty reclaiming a throne.
As we reached the bottom, the crowd parted for Nico. Whispers spread like wildfire through the room, a low hum of gossip that made my skin prickle with excitement.
"Is that Nico Rossi?" "Who is the girl in the red dress?" "Isn't she Liam’s ex-girlfriend?"
We walked directly toward the central table where the Rossi family sat. Valentina, Nico’s ex-wife, was sitting with her back rigid, her eyes narrowing into cold slits as she watched us approach. Beside her, Liam stood frozen, his fists clenched at his sides, while Amber tried to look dignified but succeeded only in looking terrified.
"Nico," Valentina said, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "What is the meaning of this? You brought... her to our table?"
"I brought my guest, Valentina," Nico said, his voice calm, carrying an undercurrent of absolute authority. "I believe you all know Luna."
"Father," Liam choked out, stepping forward, his voice trembling with a mixture of respect and rage. "What are you doing? Luna is—we just broke up. She’s my—"
"She was your girlfriend, Liam," Nico interrupted, his gray eyes turning to ice as they locked onto his son. "Until you decided to prove how foolish and undisciplined you are by betraying her. You threw away a queen for a pawn. And in the Rossi family, we do not tolerate bad investments."
Amber gasped, her face flushing a deep, angry red. "Mr. Rossi, that's highly offensive! Liam and I love each other. Luna was just—"
"Quiet, girl," Nico snapped, not even looking at her. The sheer coldness in his voice made Amber flinch and step back behind Liam. "You are a guest in this city by my grace alone. Do not speak to me unless you are spoken to."
"Nico, you're embarrassing our son," Valentina hissed, her hand gripping her champagne glass so tightly I thought it might shatter.
"He embarrassed himself the moment he forgot his loyalty," Nico countered. He turned to me, his expression instantly softening into something warm and attentive. "Luna, would you care for a dance?"
"I would love to," I said, keeping my eyes fixed on Liam’s tortured face.
As Nico led me toward the center of the dance floor, I glanced back over my shoulder. Liam was staring at his father’s hand resting on the small of my back, his jaw working in silent, impotent fury. Amber was whispering furiously to Valentina, but the older woman ignored her, her glaring eyes fixed entirely on me.
The music was a slow, seductive waltz. Nico pulled me close, his hand firm and steady against my waist. He moved with a surprising grace, guiding me effortlessly through the crowd of staring onlookers.
"You did beautifully," Nico murmured, his breath warm against my ear. "My son looks like he wants to commit murder."
"He doesn't have the courage," I said, looking up into his gray eyes. "He only knows how to sneak around in the dark."
"True," Nico agreed, a dark shadow crossing his face. "He has his mother’s weakness. He wants the power of the Rossi name, but he doesn't want to bleed for it. But you... you are different, Luna. You have a spine of steel."
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"I had to build it myself," I said softly.
"Then let me help you reinforce it," Nico whispered, his grip tightening slightly, pulling me closer until there was no space between us. "This is only the beginning. Tomorrow, the whole city will know you belong to me. And Liam will realize he has lost more than just a girlfriend. He has lost his standing."
