She Entered The Wrong Bedroom At A Billionaire Gala — Then Woke Up Next To Chicago’s Most Feared Mafia Boss With A Ring On Her Finger.
PART 6
The designer froze.
Nonna Rosa waved her cane.
“Then it should fit better than a mortgage.”
The gown was deep emerald silk, shaped to follow my curves instead of hiding them. I had spent most of my adult life choosing clothes designed to make me disappear.
This dress made disappearing impossible.
When I stepped in front of the mirror, I barely recognized myself.
My waist looked defined. My shoulders looked elegant. My full hips appeared powerful rather than apologetic.
I touched the fabric over my stomach.
“I didn’t know I could look like this.”
The designer smiled. “You always looked like this. The other clothes were simply dishonest.”
The door opened.
Dominic entered while fastening his cuff links.
He stopped.
The room became still.
His gaze traveled slowly from my face to the hem of the gown, then returned to my eyes.
“Everyone out,” he said.
The designer and assistants disappeared.
I crossed my arms.
“You cannot dismiss an entire room every time you want to stare at me.”
“I can dismiss any room in my house.”
“That is not the reassuring answer you think it is.”
He walked closer.
The intensity in his expression made my pulse quicken.
“You look beautiful.”
I looked away.
“That is part of the costume.”
“No.”
“It is.”
Dominic stepped behind me, meeting my eyes in the mirror.
“The diamonds are a costume. The photographers are a costume. The lie about our relationship is a costume.”
His hands hovered near my waist but did not touch.
“You are not.”
I swallowed.
“You’re very good at this.”
“At what?”
“Making women believe you mean things.”
“I do not require women to believe me.”
“Because they are frightened of you?”
“Usually.”
I turned to face him.
“And me?”
“You are becoming less frightened every day.”
“That worries you?”
“It fascinates me.”
His fingers brushed the side of my hand.
“May I?”
It took me a moment to understand.
He was asking permission to touch my waist.
“Yes.”
His hands settled carefully on my hips.
The contact was firm but respectful, nothing like Leo’s pinching fingers or mocking grabs.
Dominic looked down at me.
“Tonight, we make our first public appearance. Gabriel Marino’s people will be watching.”
“Will Victoria be there?”
“Yes.”
“Does she know their wedding was a trap?”
“I do not know.”
That answer surprised me.
“You think her father may be using her?”
“In families like ours, daughters are often treated as bargaining pieces.”
“So are fake fiancées.”
His expression tightened.
“I am paying you.”
“That makes the cage expensive. It does not make it open.”