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While I had no respect for my father, it was customary to address him first in his home until he allowed my gaze to shift to a man who didn’t share my blood.
I swallowed my pride with a nod. “Father.”
His lips twitched as his gaze revolted against my presence. I ignored his glare and faced Enzo and Leo as they stood together on the right side of the room. I tipped my head down, and they both returned the gesture.
“Katia.” My head snapped. I hadn't heard my father’s voice speak my name since he’d shipped me to Italy. I was eight. “You’ve met Lucca Moretti.” His hand extended to my left.
Deterring my attention away from my father, I found Lucca. His eyes fell down and roamed up my body before they settled on my face. He was an extremely difficult man to read, but his dangerous aura clung to him like a veil.
Lucca wore all black, from his dress shoes to the tall coat that hung from his broad shoulders. And his eyes—his eyes preyed over mine violently. It was a shrill warning mixed with thrill, but the longer we stared at one another, the more I recognized their punishment.
He’d found out about my previous engagement; he knew my intentions the night we met, and I felt their danger with his gaze aimed at me.
There were seven made-men in one room, including the two that stood next to Lucca. All waiting for a breach of this unity. Ready if the time came for their guns to be drawn. With blood cravings and happy triggers all around, I fought for composure as I tried to keep my breathing steady.
“Mr. Moretti.” I acknowledged him in a polite manner. Now was the time to ease the demon, not provoke it. I needed Lucca by my side and a ring on my finger to keep the promise until the wedding.
His eyes attentively held mine, gripping each breath I took in depraved pleasure.
“Now that you have met properly.” Father dug into the deal made by Lucca and Enzo without his presence as if it had no value. “We should discuss this so-called arrangement.”
A slight twitch in Lucca’s jaw was the only indication of displeasure he gave. I was sure I was the only one who caught such a detail as Lucca let go of my eyes to face him.
The room chilled as the aura was stifled with a cry, and a shudder ran over my body.
“I wasn’t aware a discussion was needed.” Silence trembled with an edge as Lucca spoke. “I wouldn’t have flown to your city if I had known Lorenzo’s word wasn’t one to be honored.” Father’s face morphed with indignation. “Or is Katia notmine?”
His.
Lucca didn’t leave any room for miscommunication. Each word he spoke delivered a blow Father couldn’t sway or bend. It was clear Mario Vitelli didn’t want this union with Miami, but to say so out loud meant discrediting his heir’s word.
He had given me to Los Angeles, but it didn’t hold the strengths of Miami’s arrangement when they had Davina and the evidence to bring New York to the ground. A mistake so severe and unforgiving for someone in Leo’s position.
He’d left a witness of a crime breathing, and she did what no one else in our world had done. Get away with it.
New York was exposed.
Enzo had to fix the problem.
I had to follow orders.
And Mario Vitelli had to submit.
“She is.”
Lucca’s lips curled. He wasenjoyingthis.
“Now, before we leave, I would like a word with myfiancéein private.”
Father forced a smile and gestured for Enzo and Leo to follow. With a glance, he dismissed me and said to Lucca, “Safe travels. I heard a storm is forming.”
That’s it. My father just walked out, and his farewell had no regard for our well-being.
“Grab her belongings, and wait by the car,” Lucca instructed his men, and we were left alone.
I faced him and the dangerous pull I felt the night I met him spread over my heart. Cold, dark eyes gazed down on me, and he took a step forward. I was careful not to let my eyes fall. I wouldn’t cower under him, but they lured me as his body neared.
Don’t speak until you're spoken to,my mind warned me. I wouldn’t have listened if it wasn’t for my loss of words.
