Page 65 of Vows of Blood

“Another?”

Dipping my head in gratitude, Nico swaps out my drink for a fresh one.

Luca’s across the room, deep in conversation with a group of serious men who look just as dangerous as him.

Nodding along as Nico explains who’s who, I admire my ex slash potential husband over the rim of my glass. There’s something so sexy about the way he commands attention without raising his voice. People lean in when he speaks, hanging on to his every word. He smiles at a joke one of them makes, but it doesn't reach his eyes.

I'm learning to read him again, remembering the tells I used to just know without realizing.

This is Luca in his element. Magnetic and charming, yet unmistakably lethal and completely in control. Watching him navigate this room full of powerful men like chess pieces is impressive.

“It’s something else, isn’t it?” Nico comments. “I can only listen to so much bullshit before I lose patience, but Luca, he picks up what they’re not saying. Reads between the lines. Always gets a nugget of information they never intended to give away from every person in the room.”

He’s a chameleon as he moves through the crowd. For some, he has a broad smile and a firm handshake, but for others, all they get is a dip of the head and a somber look.

“Once you’re married, you’ll be part of every conversation, but until then, well… people don’t like talking business in front of people they don’t know,” Nico explains, wanting me to understand why Luca had to leave me in the corner with his brother while he networks.

“If,” I correct Nico. “Nothing is agreed on yet.”

But he just smiles. “Sure.”

Luca glances over, a momentary check-in, giving me some intense eye contact and a giddy thrill before a familiar woman in a red silk gown glides past, her attention lingering on Luca longer than necessary.

He doesn't notice, or pretends not to, but I feel a flare of possessiveness deep within me.

When she inserts herself into their group and zeroes in on Luca, positioning herself right in his eyeline, my blood pressure creeps higher. Around me, a couple of people shift, their attention split between her and me, their sudden interest concerning.

As she leans forward and touches his forearm lightly, enough to suggest a closeness that few other people here seem to share with Luca, I hear the murmurs begin.

Nico inches his chair closer to mine. “She’s the niece of one of the other heads. That’s why she’s allowed to hear.”

I couldn’t care less what she’s allowed to listen in on. That’s not the part pissing me off.

Luca replies to whatever she says with a shake of his head, raising the glass in his hand to his lips so her hand falls away, but unbothered, she laughs, flicking her long hair, confident she has his attention.

Oblivious to the interest they’re drawing, Luca gives her a curious look before returning to his conversation. But not to be dissuaded, she pretends to have something bothering her foot, bending and holding onto him for balance, as she fixes her ankle strap. When she stands straight again, she leaves her arm holding his.

“I thought Luca brought a new woman,” someone murmurs behind me.

Nico looks to me, then his brother, then back to me before excusing himself and making his way to Luca’s side. He smiles and offers her his hand to shake, which forces her to release her grip on Luca’s jacket.

Hating the looks and whispers, I fight the urge to wipe my clammy palms on my beautiful dress. I drain my champagne and look around for a waiter, but Tony materializes at my elbow instead, facing out into the crowd, ever vigilant.

"Are you okay, Ms. Fox?" He never stops scanning the room but bends slightly so I can hear him.

"I need some fresh air, I think."

He nods and gestures for me to follow.

Luca tracks my movement with interest, even while maintaining his conversation.

Tony escorts me through the crowd and along the hallway to a set of double doors, opening out onto a large balcony with a magnificent view over the twinkling lights of the pretty garden below.

"I'll be right here." Tony melts back into the shadows with a brusque nod, giving me a moment alone.

The balcony is just as opulent as the rest of the venue, with lights draped above sumptuously covered seats and fresh flowers in planters at each corner. I cross to the balustrade, gripping the ledge, and stare out at the clear night sky, trying to get a handle on the overwhelming emotions threatening to get the better of me.

I set my clutch down and take a deep breath. Jealousy and a lingering fear of rejection are leaving me feeling not quite good enough and definitely not as brave as I was lying in bed with Luca. And I feel like an idiot for falling apart the moment he has to leave my side.