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“You are stunning.” His tone holds reverence, awe, like I’ve never heard from him before. He offers his arm and I gratefully take it.
“Thank you. You clean up pretty nicely yourself.” That gets a rumbly chuckle out of him as we duck into the car. “Are you going to tell me where we’re going tonight?”
Roman drops a possessive hand on my knee. “We’re going to a charity ball. Attendance is mandatory, but we don’t need to stay too long.”
“How is attendance mandatory? I thought you were your own boss and no one could tell you what to do,” I tease.
His lips form a thin line. “This ball is hosted by my mother. You’ll understand when you meet her that she doesn’t takenofor an answer.”
“Wait,” I fully face him, “you’re taking me to meetyour mother?”
He dips his chin in an affirmative.
“Holy crap.” I glance down at myself. “Is this dress too revealing? Oh my God, I should have bought her a gift—or at least flowers.” I frown up at Roman. “You should have told me I was going to meet your mother tonight. I’m completely unprepared.”
He gives my knee a squeeze. “It’s fine. Relax. She’s not expecting anything from you other than to meet you face-to-face. Everything is going to be fine.”
I sit back in the seat. It’s too late now for further preparation. All I can hope for is to make a decent first impression.
* * *
Roman places my hand on his arm as we enter the ballroom. All eyes turn to us and linger, a hush coming over the crowd, and I’m pretty sure it has little to do with the sinful crimson dress I’m wearing, and everything to do with Roman. He’s striking to behold.
“Why are they staring at you?” I whisper. Maybe I’m missing something important.
“They’re not. They’re staring at you.”
“What?” I sharply glance at him. “Why?”
“Because no one has seen a woman on my arm in six years. They’re not used to such a sight.” He glances over at me. “And because you’re a vision.”
Ignoring the blatant stares and shocked whispers, Roman leads us into the crowd. No one dares to point out the fact that he brought a date. They politely nod as he introduces me to his acquaintances and business associates. Most of them are names I recognize from overhearing my father at times.
These people here tonight rule this city—either legally, or as part of its illegal underground. Being rich, powerful, and influential, they all have enough in common to socialize with each other.
I would expect several less than savory business dealings going on this evening under the innocent umbrella of this charity function. That’s the way our world works.
“Roman, darling, I’m so glad to see you.” A beautiful woman swoops in and kisses him on both cheeks. “You’ve kept me waiting for far too long.”
I bristle at her public display of affection. The emotion catches me off guard. I’m jealous. When did I become so possessive of Roman’s affections?
Roman turns to me and says, “Sophia, I’d like you to meet my mother, Isabella. Mother, this is Sophia Pontrelli, my fiancée.”
Momentarily stunned, I blink at her like an owl.Thisis Roman’s mother? I mean, I guess she’s old enough to have birthed him—barely. Either that or she has found the best skin care routine in the world, and somehow looks fifteen years younger than her chronological age.
Roman gazes down at me with an inquisitive look that seems to say:Why are you acting so weird?
Mrs. De Luca gives me an appraising once-over before embracing me in a tight hug. Holding my shoulders, she kisses me on both cheeks.
“You are gorgeous, my dear. And to think that Roman has been hiding you away, keeping you a secret from me.” She leans close. “I know he says your arrangement is strictly business, but now that I’ve seen you, I know he’s lying. How could he possibly resist falling in love with a girl as lovely as you?”
Flustered, I have no idea how to respond to her. Instead, I say, “It’s very nice to finally meet you, Mrs. De Luca.”
“Please, call me Isabella. You’ll be my daughter-in-law soon enough.” She grins at me again, then sweeps off to greet her other guests.
The woman is a force of nature. No wonder Roman accommodated her request to make an appearance here.
He places his hand on my low back. “I apologize. She can be overly zealous at times. Now that I think about it, she’s pretty much like that all the time.”
