Chapter 3

I slept surprisingly well for someone who just got shot.

The next morning, I was back to playing the amnesiac fiancée of the Don.

"There's a charity gala tonight," Dante said at breakfast. "Will you come with me?"

I put down my coffee cup. "Should I? In my condition?"

"You're my fiancée." His voice was calm, but his eyes held a deep meaning I couldn't read. "People expect to see you."

I had a feeling.

Leo would be there.

Maybe seeing me with Dante would make him regret it.

"Okay," I nodded. "What should I wear?"

"It's already been taken care of."

The dress was a deep blue silk. The silk slid from my shoulders, baring my collarbones and the smooth line of my neck.

Dante put a diamond necklace on me. His fingertips brushed the back of my neck.

"Perfect," he whispered in my ear.

In the mirror, his eyes met mine. They were deep, possessive, and filled with a raw, barely-leashed hunger.

"You look handsome, too," I said, turning to face him.

The black tuxedo made him look like a dangerous prince.

We stood close. His cologne mixed with his own scent. It made me dizzy.

"We should go," he said, his voice a little rough.

The hotel ballroom was a sea of gold and crystal.

New York's high society mingled. Jewels glittered under the lights.

I saw Leo immediately.

He was on the dance floor. He was holding Scarlett.

She wore a blood-red dress. She looked like a dangerous rose.

Their bodies were pressed together. Leo's hand was low on her waist, his thumb stroking dangerously close to the curve of her ass.

If they were alone, he would have bent her over something right then and there.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Leo raised his champagne glass. His voice echoed through the hall. "I'd like you all to meet my very important date, Scarlett Moretti!"

The room erupted in applause.

I felt Dante's hand on the small of my back.

He seemed... tense.

"I'm fine," I forced a smile.

But when Leo's eyes met ours, I saw the challenge in them.

We found a table.

Dante pulled out my chair. The perfect gentleman.

A waiter brought a seafood platter.

Dante picked up a shrimp. He expertly peeled it, dipped it in lemon juice, and placed it on my plate.

"Thank you," I said softly.

He peeled another. He was so focused. Like it was a sacred ritual.

"Dante, you're so sweet to your fiancée."

Leo's voice came from behind us. It dripped with acid.

He and Scarlett had walked over.

"Leo," Dante said, looking up calmly. "Having fun?"

"Of course." Leo's arm tightened around Scarlett's waist. "Scarlett's a hell of a lot of fun. Not so... demanding."

I put down my fork. I looked at Leo. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Nothing," Leo shrugged. "Just that some women are too... dependent."

Dante's fingers tapped on the table. I could feel the anger in that small movement.

I stood up. I linked my arm with Dante's. "Well, I think my fiancé and I are doing great. He's very attentive. Aren't you, darling?"

I put extra weight on "fiancé" and "darling."

Dante looked at me. I saw surprise in his eyes, then a flicker of warmth. "Of course, baby."

Leo's face darkened.

"Wow, how sweet!" Scarlett laughed, her voice sharp. "You two should show us how in love you are!"

The guests around us started to cheer.

"Yeah! Show us what real love looks like!"

"Leo and Scarlett, you too!"

Leo's eyes darted between me and Dante. His jaw was clenched.

"Fine," Scarlett said, looking at me with a challenge. "Leo, kiss me. Let everyone see how much we love each other."

Leo hesitated for a second. Then he pulled Scarlett in.

Their kiss was an attack.

Leo's hand was buried in her red hair. Their lips were crushed together.

Scarlett's leg was practically wrapped around his waist. Her hand roamed his chest.

It went on for a full minute.

The family photographer was taking pictures. The flashbulbs were blinding.

"Get those pictures everywhere," Leo snapped at the photographer, breathless.

Scarlett kissed his neck. She shot me a look over his shoulder.

Her eyes said: See? He's mine.

The room applauded. The guests cheered.

But when it was over, Leo's eyes found mine. For just a second, I saw it. Guilt.