Chapter Six- The Ball.

It's been a week since I sold myself to Lorenzo, but the upfront payment was a lifeline I couldn't refuse. The moment he wired the money to my account, I got a small apartment, and bulk shoveled towards Ronan's mounting medical bills. Clara was helping me take care of the kids, and manage the house. And of course, I paid for all her tuition fees and other expenses, I didn't deserve her, not at all, but I was more than happy to have her in my life.

Lorenzo kept to his word. He gave me everything, even the ones I didn't ask for, I got a new phone, but his shadow lurked even there, every call, every text monitored. A fancy leash, that's what it was.

A sugh shuddered through me as the last of the maids fussed over my makeup, patting, blending, and whispering to themselves.

I plastered on a smile, thanked them, and made my escape. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror- I felt like it was a stranger staring back at me.

Emerald green dress, a slash of scarlet lipstick, and eyes that held a weariness far beyond my twenty four years. I looked...expensive. A stark contrast to what I was last week.

In another world, I would have been happy.

But in this? I felt like an item that was bought to be displayed.

Lorenzo was waiting at the foot of the grand staircase, he was breathtaking, so handsome that it almost stole my breath away despite the anger that threatened to overwhelm me. He was a walking Italian cliché- dark, impeccably tailored suit, silk tie, hair slicked back, a cigarette in his hand. His eyes lit up the moment they landed on me.

I'd intended to brush past him, head straight for the car, but he moved with speed, he caught my arm, his touch surprisingly gently, and tugged me against my chest. He dipped his head, his lips brushing my cheek.

"You never said we were lovers," I snapped, pulling away, trying to ignore the way my pulse jumped.

He smiled, a slow, predatory curve of his lips. "I didn't. But I did say you were mine."

Before I could unleash the scathing retort bubbling on my tongue, a presence filled the hallway, drawing all attention. Even Lorenzo's.

Ice.

His real name was probably something boring, like Kevin, Steve or Donald, but Ice suited him perfectly. He was Lorenzo's second in command, apart from Lorenzo, he was another person who radiated pure, unadulterated menace without saying a word. He was ethereally handsome in a dangerous kind of way, like a fallen angel. Silvery-white hair, so pale it almost glowed, framed a face sculpted from marble. His eyes, the color of a winter storm, held no warmth, no flicker of humanity. A jagged scar bisected his face, running from his left temple to his cheekbone. The moment his gaze landed on me, those grey orbs turned glacial.

Typical.

From the first moment we met, Ice had made his disapproval clear. He saw me as a threat, frankly, the feeling was mutual. I didn't like him either, he was always watching me, like a hawk eyeing it's prey.

"Lorenzo," Ice's voice was a low, clipped baritone. "I need you to talk to you about something..." His eyes flickered to me for a brief moment. "It's quite important."

"About what?" Lorenzo asked, his gaze still lingering on me, barely paying any attention to Ice.

"Lorenzo," Ice's voice was a low, clipped baritone. "I need you to talk to you about something..." His eyes flickered to me for a brief moment. "It's quite important."

"About what?" Lorenzo asked, his gaze still lingering on me, barely paying any attention to Ice.

"Can we talk privately?" Ice pressed.

Lorenzo's jaw tightened, his tone unaffected. "Say whatever you have to say in front of her."

A heavy silence settled between us, tension thick in the air. I could feel Ice's death glare on me. My chest clenched, sensing the gravity of the moment.

Without warning, I snatched my arm free from Lorenzo, making him snap up with anger filled eyes. "I'll go wait in the car," my eyes flickered between them. "See you there."

I walked away before any of them could say a word. A sleek black limousine waited outside, I got in and slid into the plush leather seat, trying to ignore the knot of anxiety tightening in my stomach. A few moments later, Lorenzo and Ice joined me. Ice slid into the front beside the driver, while Lorenzo sat beside me. I flinched as he settled a gun on his lap.

Nothing I'm not quite used to anyway. These men slept with guns underneath their sheets.

"Thought this was a celebration?" I asked.

He gave me a hard, unreadable look. "He's in a rival gang. I can't afford to lose guard."

I nodded. "Ah, makes sense."

Nice job, Keira. Not only did you sell yourself, you also got involved with murderers who dine and wine with guns in their hands. Wouldn't be shocked if a bullet passes through my neck today now, would it?

I let out a deep breath and looked out the window as the car glided into the city. The streets glittered with artificial light,  a stark contrast to the darkness that seemed to Lorenzo and his world.

Today was the birthday ball of a rival gang leader, some pompous buffoon who styles himself a modern day Caesar. It was a mandatory event, a grotesque display of forced civility designed to maintain the fragile peace between warring factions.

An hour later, we arrived at the opulent ballroom, a gaudy spectacle of chandeliers and champagne. Cameras flashed as we stepped out of the car, but Lorenzo ignored the reporters, his grip tightening possessively on my arm.

The air crackled as every eye in the room began to follow us as we walked in, I stared at the seas of faces, some veiled in curiosity, others in open hostility. I could feel the harsh stares aimed at me, the silent judgment of the women who coveted Lorenzo's attention and resented my presence. But I also saw the lust in the men's eyes, lust and fear- mostly because Lorenzo was present.

"Lorenzo!" I heard a deep voice bellow, I looked up to see a middle aged man walking towards us with a wide smile, his grin widened as his eyes raked my up and down. "Hello there,"

"Hi," I replied shyly.

"Eyes on me Carter," Lorenzo warned, making the man chuckle and nod his head.

"I suppose this one is special?" The man Carter, asked with a curious tone. I looked over at Lorenzo who said nothing, his expression blank and emotionless.

For some odd reasons, I felt hurt. Which was crazy because I shouldn't be feeling this way.

"Let's discuss what we have to, Carter," Lorenzo said then turned to me. "Can you make yourself comfortable or should Ice follow you?"

I turned around to see Ice standing few feet away from us, engrossed with the cigarette in his hand. A lot of women were swimming all over him but he didn't seem to be paying attention to any of them.

Dang, what a sadist.

"No," I rolled my shoulders. "I wouldn't want my day to be ruined. I'll go alone."

"If anything. You know how to signal for me."

With a last glance, he left, with Carter staring at me like a hawk. I shrugged and slipped away, seeking refuge at the bar. I ordered a glass of wine, hoping to ease the knot in my stomach, and took a tentative sip.

"I'm sorry,", a deep voice startled me.

I spun around, nearly spilling my wine. A hand, strong and steady, wrapped around my waist, preventing me from stumbling.

"It's fine," I said, straightening up, trying to ignore the embarrassment that rushed to my cheeks.

My eyes raked over the man that had helped me. He was tall, with kind eyed and a disarming smile. There was something about him, a warmth that radiated from his very being, that put me instantly at ease.

"I'm sorry about that," he apologized again.

"No no," I waved my hand. "It's fine, don't be. Thank you even, I owe you one."

He offered a warm smile then stretched his hand forward. "The name's Seth,"

"Keira," I replied, shaking his hand, his touch surprisingly gentle.

"Can we get a drink together, if you may?"

"Sure!"

My inner voice was screaming at me to walk away, Lorenzo's warning was ringing deep in my head, but I just couldn't. There was something about that him that I just liked. Maybe it was the gentle aura that radiated from him.... We sat at the bar, somehow got into a conversation, laughing and talking, sharing jokes that left me feeling...lighter than I had in weeks.

He was charming, witty and genuinely interested in what I had to say. For the first time since signing my life away to Lorenzo, I felt like I could breathe.

Just then, a dark shadow fell over us. A familiar presence. Before I could process what was going on, Seth was on the floor with Lorenzo on top of him.​