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 8

“Your father may challenge the engagement at Saturday’s gala. The city’s senior families will be present to hear him.”

“And if he refuses the old law?”

Dominic’s gaze turned cold.

“Then everyone will know the Marinos never intended peace.”

Victoria stared at him, suddenly less like a cruel socialite and more like a woman watching the floor disappear beneath her.

“You knew,” she whispered. “You knew about the reception.”

Dominic’s expression did not change.

“Yes.”

“My father told me we were ending the war.”

“Perhaps you should ask him why he placed you inside the building he intended to attack.”

For the first time, Victoria looked frightened.

She recovered quickly, turned, and left.

On the drive home, I stared through the car window.

“She didn’t know.”

“I believe you are right.”

“You were going to marry her even though you didn’t love her.”

“Love has never been treated as necessary in my family.”

“And now?”

Dominic looked at me.

“Now I am reconsidering many traditions.”

At the estate, I found Nonna Rosa waiting in the library.

Dominic was called away by Matteo before we entered. Rosa patted the seat beside her.

“You handled Victoria well,” she said.

“You knew the engagement was fake.”

Rosa did not appear surprised.

“I knew Dominic did not have a fiancée before sunrise.”

“Then why did you announce a wedding?”

“Because I saw his face when he looked at you.”

“He had just discovered a stranger in his bed.”

“I have known that boy for thirty-seven years. Dominic looks at strangers as if calculating where to bury them.”

She poured tea.

“He looked at you as if he had finally found something he was afraid to lose.”

I stared into my cup.

“This is a contract.”

“Perhaps.”

“Your grandson told me the truth only because criminals were hunting me.”

“Dominic was raised by men who taught him that truth is ammunition. Giving it to anyone is difficult.”

“That doesn’t excuse him.”

“No. Understanding a wound does not mean allowing it to bleed on you.”

Her answer was wiser than I expected.

“What do you want from me?” I asked.

Rosa’s expression softened.

“I want my grandson to survive long enough to become the man he might have been in a different family.”

“And you think I can change him?”

“No woman should be given that burden.”

She covered my hand with hers.

“I think you may remind him he is still capable of changing himself.”

Later that night, I woke to the sound of voices in the hallway.

Dominic stood outside the bedroom with Matteo.

“The apartment attack was not merely an attempt on Harper,” Matteo said. “Leo confirmed that Marino soldiers had access to the gala through Silver Spoon Catering. Several remain unidentified.”

“My mother?”

“Safe.”

“Harper’s mother?”

“Two guards outside her home.”

My breath caught.

Dominic had protected her without telling me.

“Saturday cannot proceed as planned,” Matteo continued.

“It must.”

“They may have more men than expected.”

“That is why they need to believe we are unprepared.”

I opened the door.

“Absolutely not.”

Both men turned.

Dominic dismissed Matteo with a glance.

“You should be sleeping.”

“You are using the engagement gala as a trap.”

“It is the only opportunity to bring Marino’s leadership into a controlled location.”

“A location filled with employees.”

“No innocent staff will be present. Everyone working the event will be one of ours.”

“And me?”

Dominic said nothing.

“You planned to put me in the middle of it.”