Page 53

She arches a brow.

"If you really know him so well..." I ask evenly, "why am I the one wearing his ring?"

For the first time since she walked in, her smile falters, and a flicker of irritation crosses her face. "He married you because he needed the alliance."

I nod thoughtfully. "I know."

I slowly take a step toward her. My gaze deliberately sweeps over her from head to toe before returning to her face. Then I offer her a polite smile. “Either way, he married me. And you? You’re still the one who has to stand aside.”

Color rises in her cheeks as her delicate brows knit together. "You don't know what you're talking about."

"Don't I?" I glance down at the wedding band on my finger before looking back at her. "You seem awfully invested in another woman's husband."

Her expression hardens. "You think a piece of jewelry makes you special?"

"No." I smile sweetly. "I think vows do."

For a moment, she simply glares at me. Then she laughs, though it sounds forced. “Do you really believe he loves you?”

I meet her stare without flinching. “Honestly, in a marriage alliance, love isn't the most important thing...”

I lift my left hand just enough for the diamonds to catch the light. “...What matters is that I am his legal wife, and after the gala, he is going home with me."

My eyes settle calmly on hers. "And you're still the mistress in your own fantasy."

The words hit their mark. Her face flushes with anger. Before she can respond, I walk past her toward the door.

I pause with my hand on the handle and glance back over my shoulder. "Oh... and one more thing, if Roman wanted you, he would've married you. Think on that."

I turn and walk out of the restroom.

Despite the anger still simmering under my skin, a small, satisfied smile tugs at my lips.

By the time I return to the main hall, the hostess is beginning the welcome speech. Roman is already looking for me. The moment he sees me, relief flickers across his face.

“I was about to come find you,” he says. “You were taking too long.”

“Needed to touch up my makeup.”

He lets out a low chuckle. “You don't need makeup. You're beautiful without it.”

“Really?” A sweet, giddy feeling bubbles up in my chest.

We start walking toward our seats. As we move through the crowd, something catches my eye near one of the tall windows. A brief, sharp glint of metal. It only takes a split second for my mind to connect the pieces.

“Gun!” I scream.

Without thinking, I throw myself in front of Roman. He barely has time to react before the first shot rings out. We both hit the floor hard as the bullet whizzes past, missing us by inches.

Chaos erupts instantly. Screams fill the hall. More gunshots follow. Roman is already on his feet, pulling a gun from beneath his jacket and returning fire while using his body to shield me. His men surge forward as he grabs my arm and pulls me toward the back exit.

We burst through the rear doors. Our car is already waiting, engine running. Roman shoves me inside and climbs in after me. The moment the doors slam shut, the car speeds away.

He’s on me immediately, hands checking my arms, my shoulders, my sides for any sign of injury.

My heart is beating so fast, and it's only just settling down. I don't feel any pain anywhere, so I should be fine.

“I’m fine,” I tell him quickly.