Chapter 18
His touch ignited every nerve ending, making me forget everything but this
moment.
Lorenzo’s hands and lips explored my body with a reverence that brought tears to my eyes.
When we finally came together, the world disappeared. There was only him, only us, only this perfect connection that made me feel whole again.
Later, wrapped in plush robes, we sat at the ornate dining table. Candlelight danced across the crystal glasses while Lorenzo poured deep red wine into my glass.
“You need to eat more,” Lorenzo said, adding another spoonful to my plate. “You’re still too thin.”
I took a bite, savoring the flavors. “This is incredible.”
“Good.” His hand found mine across the table. “I want-”
The dining room door burst open. A guard rushed in, his face flushed with urgency. He gave a quick bow to Lorenzo.
“Sir, I apologize for the interruption, but we’ve received word. All five families are calling for a Gala.”
Lorenzo’s jaw tightened. “When?”
“Three days from now. They’re proposing neutral ground at the Venice Plaza Hotel. They’re saying it’s to discuss terms for a coalition.”
“A coalition against me, you mean.” Lorenzo’s voice turned to ice. His fingers tightened around mine. “Who’s leading this?”
“The Rossi family seems to be the main orchestrator, but they’ve all signed the proposal.”
Lorenzo’s thumb traced circles on my hand, the gentle motion at odds with the dangerous glint in his eyes. “Very well. Tell them I accept.”
The guard nodded and hurried out. I looked at Lorenzo, my heart racing. “Is this a trap?”
“Most likely.” He lifted my hand to his lips. “But sometimes you need to walk into the lion’s den to show them who the real predator is.”
Chapter 18
11:56 Sun, 2 Mar
I curled into Lorenzo’s warmth, my head resting on his chest as we lay in his massive bed. The silk sheets whispered against my skin with each breath. My phone buzzed on the nightstand.
I reached for it, and my stomach dropped. Camilla’s name lit up the screen.
“How does it feel being a mafia lord’s new whore? At least when you were with Dom you had some class.”
Lorenzo’s arm tightened around me. “Ignore her.
Another message popped up. Then a voice note. My finger trembled as I pressed play.
“Hey Val,” Camilla’s saccharine voice dripped poison. “Dom and I were just talking about you. Having such a good laugh imagining you thinking this gangster’s going to save you.”
Dominic’s voice cut in. “You really think hiding behind II Fantasma will protect you? You’re more pathetic than I thought.”
Lorenzo’s chest rumbled with dark laughter. “They sound desperate.” He kissed my temple. “Block them, cara. They don’t deserve another second of your attention.”
I sat up, anger replacing fear. My fingers flew across the screen as I typed: “The only pathetic ones are you two, playing these sad little games. I’m done being your punching bag. Don’t contact me again.”
With trembling fingers, I blocked both their numbers. Lorenzo pulled me back into his arms.
“That’s my brave girl.” His lips brushed my ear. “See how easy that was?”
I nodded, burying my face in his neck. The knot in my chest loosened for the first time in months. “They can’t hurt me anymore.”
“No, they can’t.” His hand stroked down my back. “And they never will again.”
I wanted to believe his words, but I knew that something big was about to go down, something big and wrong.
The three days passed in a blur of preparations and stolen moments with Lorenzo. Now, our car pulled up to the Venice Plaza Hotel, joining a line of luxury vehicles that would make any car show jealous. Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and Rolls Royces gleamed under the evening lights.
95
Lorenzo’s hand squeezed mine as our driver opened the door. I stepped out in my emerald silk gown, the fabric catching the golden glow from the hotel’s grand entrance. Lorenzo followed, cutting an imposing figure in his black tuxedo.
The crowd at the entrance parted like the Red Sea. Whispers rippled through the gathering of Italy’s most dangerous families. I caught fragments of conversations dying mid–sentence as we passed.
“Il Fantasma…”
“…Constantine himself…”
“…his new woman…”
Lorenzo’s hand rested possessively on my lower back as we ascended the marble steps. His face was a mask of cool indifference, but I felt the subtle tension in his touch.
The hotel’s ballroom took my breath away – crystal chandeliers dripped ceilings. But I barely registered the opulence. Every eye in the room tracked our
from coffered movement.
Men in expensive suits stiffened, their hands instinctively moving closer to where I knew they carried weapons. Women in designer gowns clutched their champagne glasses tighter, their painted smiles frozen in place.
“Keep your head high, cara,” Lorenzo murmured against my ear. “Let them look. Let them see exactly who you are.”
Lorenzo’s words steadied me as we moved through the crowd. The whispers continued, but they no longer made me flinch.
The crowd shifted, creating space around them..
“Constantine.” Antonio’s voice carried across the marble floor. “What an honor to have you grace us with your presence.”
Lorenzo’s hand tightened on my waist. “Antonio. I trust you had good reason to call this gathering.”
Antonio’s dark eyes flickered to me, lingering longer than comfortable. “Ah, you look lovely Valentina Salvatore. Your reputation precedes you, my dear.”
My blood ran cold. The way he said my name – like he knew things about me, secrets that should have stayed buried. His smile widened as he extended his hand.
“Welcome to my little soirée. I believe we have much to discuss.”
Chapter 18
