Chapter 20: Chapter 20

I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the closet, trying to clasp the gold necklace around my neck. My curves were encased in a beautiful black single-sleeve maxi dress with a cape elegantly draped over my arm.

The stylist Stefano’d hired had spent well over two hours applying my lace wig and twisting it into a fantastic updo.

I glanced in the corner of the mirror to look at Stefano as he stood in the background, buttoning his dress shirt.

A frustrated sigh left my lips when I failed to clasp the necklace for what felt like the twentieth time.

Stefano glanced over in amusement. “Need help?”

“If I didn’t know the price of this thing, I’d throw it,” I grumbled.

The clasp slipped through my fingers once more. “Damn it.”

Stefano chuckled and came to my rescue. He approached me from behind and took a hold of my fumbling fingers, gently nudging them aside.

His fingers grazed my neck as he fastened the necklace in place. A shiver traveled down my spine as our gazes met in the mirror.

“Is there anything I should look out for tonight?” I asked.

“This ball is an annual event hosted by the Petrov family. It’s mainly a show of power on their end, but it’s also used as a source of intel gathering. Tonight, you’ll be making an official appearance as my bride-to-be.”

I nodded. I was already aware of all of this. “Any tips on how to survive my first official event as your…‘bride-to-be?’”

He chuckled, his tone a warm caress in my ear. “Stay close to me. Most of the attendees will be affiliated with the Petrov family, so you’ll be in uncharted territory.”

I took a deep breath. I could do this.

He paused to consider something before adding, “Avoid the politicians. They’re idiots.”

“Noted.”

“One more thing.” He pulled a holster out of his cabinet and bent down on one knee in front of me. I held his shoulder as he slid a hand slowly up my leg, causing my insides to twist as tingles followed his touch.

“What’s that for?” I asked.

He glanced at me, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. “Safety precaution.”

My heart needed a safety precaution, that was for sure.

He grabbed my thigh through the slit of my dress and securely wrapped the holster around it, pulling on the straps to make sure it was tight.

My stomach flipped when he placed a kiss on my inner thigh. The ticklish sensation had me instinctively kicking my leg out.

Oh god.

Stefano laughed as he caught my leg before it could connect with him.

I wiggled out of his touch and glared. “Stop playing around!”

“Sorry, sorry. Couldn’t help myself.”

I huffed.

He then handed me a pistol. “Strap this in.”

I did as I was told but couldn’t help but voice my concerns. “I doubt I’ll remember I have this if a shoot-out happens.”

My first instinct would be to run, not to fight back.

“It’s more for me than it is for you. Easy access.”

My mind dipped into the forbidden gutters of my brain as I pictured him slipping his hand under my dress.

That was—

“You’re not leaving my side, amorina,” he clarified, knocking me out of my thoughts.

I blinked. “Oh, okay.”

Seeing that his collar was out of place, I stepped forward without thinking to fix it. His smile lit up his face as his hand snaked around my waist.

“Look at you, already playing wife.”

I chuckled. “It bothered me.”

He leaned down to place a fleeting kiss on my lips before pulling away. “All right, let’s go.”

I nodded.

When we got to the gated mansion belonging to the Petrov family, I noticed that security was tight. Our car was searched before we were allowed entry, but Stefano and I didn’t have to go through metal detectors, unlike the other attendees.

When I questioned this, Stefano said that as heir to the Roscotto family, as well as a close friend of Anton’s, he was an exception.

As we made our way inside, I noticed the slight change in Stefano’s demeanor. There was this air of arrogance about him that made it seem like he was greater than the others in the room.

I’d occasionally see this arrogance when we’d dated before, but it was nothing like the presence he commanded now. In this room, he was second only to Anton, and he knew it. And, more importantly, so did everyone else.

But I couldn’t find fault in it. That was his right as the Roscotto heir.

The hall was bustling with people. Women sashayed across the floor, outfitted in beautifully designed dresses, while the men were decked in their finely tailored suits, wealth screaming from every high-quality thread.

The event screamed high society, something I knew I needed to get used to, and fast.

The air was rich with chatter, and everyone seemed friendly enough as they conversed among themselves. But I knew looks could be misleading. The tension in the room was high as tense glances were thrown around.

Stefano kept our fingers intertwined as he guided me out of the main ballroom and toward a door on the side that was guarded by security. The hallway on the other side of the door was empty and eerily quiet.

I glanced around curiously. “Where are we going?”

“To meet Anton,” Stefano replied. He navigated the halls like he’d been there many times before. We stopped in front of another door, and with a nod, the security guard allowed us entry.

We stepped inside, and I was surprised to see that it was a lounge area. A few people were already inside, and the air was thick with some kind of spice…and a hint of coffee.

It was like a secret gathering of sorts.

I spotted Andrei lounging on a sofa and smiled in greeting when our eyes met. I looked around, but didn’t spot Gabriella.

Stefano placed a hand on my back and guided me toward a man who was sitting on a sectional with a tan, black-haired woman sitting on his lap, whispering in his ear. A cigar lazily hung from his lips as he listened intently to the woman.

“Anton, Jasmine,” Stefano greeted the both of them. “I’d like to introduce you to Catalina, my fiancée.”

Anton’s eyes shifted from the woman on his lap to mine. A smile curled his lips as he tapped the woman’s waist for her to move aside so he could stand.

He offered me his hand. “Catalina. As beautiful as described. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I smiled and shook his hand. “Good things, I hope.”

“Of course. I’m looking forward to your performance in the games,” he said. He gestured around the room. “Welcome to my home.”

The woman, Jasmine, leaned forward, eyeing me curiously. She was the first woman I’d seen wearing a suit instead of a dress, yet it flattered her in a way that seemed to match her personality.

“So, you’re Catalina. I never thought I’d see the day Stefano brought a woman to one of these things.”

“I’m just as surprised,” Anton joked.

My face remained unchanged, but my mood slightly darkened. What did they mean? Was Stefano a known playboy?

Come to think of it, I knew nothing of his past. He’d always been tight-lipped when I’d asked before. I made a mental note to rectify that as soon as we were alone.

“I’m Jasmine,” the woman continued, “Stefano’s childhood friend.”

I nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Let’s get along, yeah?”

I raised an eyebrow in surprise. I could tell that she was scrutinizing me, seeing how I’d react to her words.

I simply kept my smile and said, “Of course.”

Stefano introduced me to the other people in the room, each with a more impressive background than the last. I squared my shoulders and put on my best performance, doing whatever I had to make sure I didn’t embarrass Stefano.

Once the introductions were over, Stefano and I sat together, and I fell into the background as the men conversed, speaking of politics and current events happening within the city.

Though I was silent, I took everything in. My eyes flitted between each individual, observing their interactions. The small glances between these two, how those two avoided eye contact.

So much was said without words, and I wanted to learn all I could.

Talk progressed to the Volkov family and its new head, Dimitri Volkov. He was known to be merciless and tenacious, and many wondered if he could return his family to their former glory. Stefano and Anton were keeping close tabs on him.

And then there was the assassination attempt on the governor, who was currently on the Roscotto’s payroll. They were still investigating, and the governor was currently recuperating in her home.

I took in this information like it was my lifeline, knowing that Stefano brought me here for this purpose. As the future wife of the eventual head of the Roscotto family, I needed to be aware of these things. I appreciated how Stefano tried to keep me involved and in the know. It would make my role in the family easier later on.

“Oh, I have the information you requested.” Anton looked at Stefano. “About Perez.”

I perked up at the name, and my eyes quickly shifted to the man. He was staring at Stefano seriously, which heightened my interest.

“Is it good news?”

Anton glanced at me then back at Stefano. “For you? No.”

Stefano inhaled sharply and looked at me with a complicated expression.

He turned to address Jasmine. “Can you show Catalina around for a bit? Introduce her to some good people.”

Jasmine, who’d been playing on her phone, looked up with a raised eyebrow. “Oh?”

“Please,” he added.

I stared at him in disbelief and opened my mouth to refute, but he squeezed my waist and leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Don’t question me in public, amorina. It’s just for a few minutes while I wrap things up here.”

But I wanted to know. What didn’t he want me to hear? Why was Anton making it look like I was involved? Did he find my aunt? Was there something important about the Perez family that I couldn’t know about? Why was he suddenly locking me out?

Jasmine stood and came to me. She saw the look in my eyes and smiled knowingly. She offered a hand. “Let’s go. Don’t mind them. Men will always be men.”

I knew arguing wasn’t going to work, so I took her hand and allowed her to tug me to my feet.

Then I looked back at Stefano with a frown, but he was already focused on Anton.

My heart grew heavy.

Did he not trust me?