Page 67 of Vows of Blood

"Luca is a grown man with his own mind. And if Luca is so enamored with you," I say slowly, letting each word land, "Why would he need me at all? Or Kate.”

Her smile freezes.

“It seems like you were right there, available and willing." I pause, letting my eyes roam over her dress, her perfectly made-up face. "Easy." Now I smile. “And he passed you up… twice.”

Holding up two fingers, I get a perverse pleasure from watching her pretty features twist in anger.

“Alfonso might have convinced you that Luca is yours, but I assure you, he’s not. He’s mine."

She shifts her weight to one foot, telegraphing her slap a mile away. Before it connects, I grab her wrist and twist, forcing her to stoop and lean to avoid me breaking it.

"Try touching me again, or Luca," I say quietly, "and I'll break your fucking arm."

We stand there, frozen, her eyes wide with surprise, until Tony booms from right behind me.

“Sophia, what the fuck do you think you’re doing?” he growls at her.

She gives him a filthy look, then, when I relax my grip, yanks her hand back, rubbing her wrist as her composure cracks. "You have no idea," she hisses. "This world will eat you alive. If Alfonso doesn’t kill you first."

Not for the first time, I realize that’s a distinct possibility.

"Maybe." I smooth down my dress, my hands only trembling slightly. "But I won’t be run off by you."

She opens her mouth to snap back, but when Tony steps between us to shield me, Sophia shoots me one last venomous look over his shoulder, then sweeps out without another word.

"Are you okay? What the hell happened?"

"Nothing." I hurry away, eager to get back to the main reception area, but he falls into step beside me, my loyal shadow.

"Ms. Fox,” he begins, stopping when I glare at him. “Sienna." He gives me a kind smile. "You’re allowed to take a second."

I look up at him, this big, scarred man who's spent the last few days watching my every move, and my composure cracks. The need to confide in somebody is tearing me apart.

"Apparently, she and Luca have... history."

Tony remains closed-lipped, neither confirming nor denying, even though we both know he knows. Now, I can’t stop wondering how many other women out there have history with him.

"She said..." I shake my head. "It doesn't matter."

"No, it doesn't." He glances toward the ballroom, then back at me, pensive. He sighs. "But can I tell you something?"

I nod, fiddling with my jewelry.

"In all the years I've worked for Mr. Calvano, he's never brought a woman to an event like this. Not once. Not even Kate." He pauses, letting that sink in. "Bringing you here, introducing you to these people... this is a statement. A big one that’s bound to cause some ruffled feathers.”

I stare at him, unconvinced. "What kind of statement?"

"The kind that says you matter.” Tony sighs. "Remember that when it might sometimes appear otherwise. Luca Calvano doesn't do anything by accident."

I absorb his words, turning them over in my mind, and let them loosen the tension within me.

"And if you want to help him? Help find whoever killed Kate? Then play the part," Tony encourages me. "Be the adoring fiancé, be confident and unshakeable. The kind of woman who belongs at Luca Calvano's side."

After everything I've been through, this should be a walk in the park. "I can do that."

Tony nods, his approval shining through. "Then fuck her and fuck Alfonso. Go do it.”

Encouraged by Tony’s pep talk, I square my shoulders and walk back into the ballroom, immediately met by Luca’s furious stare.