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His lip twitches, and I can see pride soften his eyes. His arms encircle my waist, and he plants a soft kiss behind my ear and whispers, “You did so well, princess. I’m so proud of you.” I fuckingmelt.“I can’t wait to reward you.”
Our driver pulls into the queue of cars at the hotel hosting the gala—at least this one is for a deserving cause and not to raise money for rich people to get a new golf course. Seeing the cameras flash up ahead sends me straight back to the last time I was at a gala. The scene will play out eerily similar, except this time, I will be walking in with Finn on my arm instead of Hudson.
Finn must notice my accelerated breathing the closer we inch in line. He places a weighty palm on my chest and reminds me to breathe. We are almost to the front when he says, “One last thing…” He pulls out a small black box, and telling me to breathe was pointless because the emerald ring inside is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. “Can’t let you go in there without everyone knowing exactly who you belong to.”
“Jesus Christ, Finn, that’s the biggest rock I’ve ever seen.”
He slips it on to my finger, a pleased smile playing on his lips. “Guess I’m bigger and better than him in two departments.”
The joke, as ill-formed as it is, makes me laugh and helps chase away some of my nerves. I look down at the new ring on my finger and laugh. “I did buy that last one myself.”
“I know,” he says smugly.
“No, you didn’t.”
“Spiteful, stubborn and rich enough to pull it off.” He gives me a wry smile. “Though, I may not have thought of it if you hadn't given me the idea.”
I look at him confused, and he parrots my words back to me, “‘You think I bought this for myself just to convince you I’m engaged?’”
“Oh.” I bite my cheek.
“It doesn’t matter, that ring was never meant to be on your hand. But this…” He holds up my hand and takes in the sparkling emerald. “—would also look great wrapped around my cock.”
“Finneas Fox.” I slap him in the chest.
He looks proud when he says, “Did I not say that’s where this hand belongs no matter whose ring is on it?”
The car stops and seconds later our door opens, I shoot Finn a testing stare. “If you mention anything about your cock near my father, I will saw it off with a rusty blade. Do you hear me?”
He gives me a wolfish grin. “Loud and clear, darling,” he says as if accepting a challenge not a threat.
“I’m serious, Finn.” I hiss through a smile as he helps me out of the limo.
He places my hand in the crook of his elbow and we begin to glide down the red carpet. “As am I.”
The ballroom at the Ritz has been transformed into a luxury casino straight off the sea cliffs of Monte Carlo. Everything is dripping in gold and satin, and I’m reminded how little these events have to do with the actual charity and everything to do with the who’s who of June Harbor. We are some of the youngest people here, but that doesn’t surprise me. We’re only here at the request of my father anyway.
Speaking of Satan himself, I spot him across the room, and he ushers us over, his smile as wide as it is fake. I can feel Finn tense as we approach, and I’m starting to wish there were metal detectors at the door because Finn pulling out a gun at a charity gala feels completely on brand.
“You’ll be fine,” I whisper and give his arm a squeeze.
“I’m not worried for myself, princess,” he says, his voice low and lethal.
“Euphemia, my dear,” my mother squawks and flings her arms around me. “I feel like I haven’t seen my baby in forever.” I try to loosen into her embrace, but I feel like I’m in the jaws of a lion. She finally releases me and turns gushing to Finn. “And my goodness, Finneas, is that really you? So grown up.” She grasps his cheek, and now I’m not only worried about my father getting shot but my mother too.
“And wow, look at all those tattoos,” she says with mock astonishment as she takes in the ink sprawling out of his neckline and sleeves. My mother is happy to pretend my brothers don’t have any tattoos as long as she can’t see them.
But to my surprise, Finn turns on a dazzling, panty-melting smile. “Mrs. Luciano, you haven’t aged a day in ten years. I see where my wife gets her beauty.” He gives me a warm smile, but it radiates with the same type of heat I imagine hell has.
“Yes, how is married life treating you two…” My father pauses to look us up and down with taunting amusement in his eyes, “...lovebirds?” I cringe, my hand balling into a tight fist.Lovebirds?He knows exactly how this marriage came to be. Why pretend when we all know the truth.
“Little Ef!” I turn at the nickname only two people call me. “Look at you, all grown up and married, huh?” Renzo strolls up to us with a cocky grin and drink in hand.
“I didn’t know you were back?” It shouldn’t matter but for some reason my brother’s surprise return has me feeling off balance. “Is G here too?”
I don’t get a response. Instead he turns to Finn and offers a terse, “Fox.”
“Lorenzo.” Finn’s calm composure gives me an anchor. If anyone should be freaked out by this bombardment of Lucianos, it’s him. I watch my father’s eyes narrow, scrutinizing the interaction. An unexpected sense of pride wells, seeing Finn so confidently holding his own. Not that I’m surprised.
