Chapter 4

I forced myself to ignore Leo's disgusting guilt.

The after-party was in the penthouse suite.

The alcohol made the air feel dangerous and raw.

"Let's play a game!" Marco, a young heir from another family, shouted. "Vodka Roulette!"

Everyone gathered around.

"Simple rules," Marco said, holding up a bottle of vodka. "We spin the wheel. Whoever it lands on has to do a dare. Refuse, you down a full glass."

The wheel started spinning.

First round, a banker's wife. She had to walk a tightrope on the balcony rail without her heels. She did it. Everyone cheered.

Second round. The wheel slowed.

It landed on me.

"Isabella Rossini!" Marco yelled. "Your dare is... to dance the Argentine Tango with Leo Falcone!"

The air went still.

The Tango. We'd have to be pressed close together.

Everyone's eyes bounced between me, Leo, and Dante.

This was a time bomb.

Leo looked at Scarlett. Her face turned to stone.

"I..." Leo hesitated. "That's not a good idea."

He was worried about Scarlett's feelings.

Perfect.

His betrayal was clean. Complete.

I stood, placing my glass down with a soft click. "You're right," I said, my voice smooth as silk. "I wouldn't want to upset anyone. I forfeit."

I picked up the bottle of vodka. I poured a large glass without hesitating.

"Isabella, wait—" Dante reached out to stop me.

"It's okay, darling." I gave him a sweet smile. Then I downed the liquor in one go.

It burned my throat, but I didn't cough.

There was applause, but Leo's face grew darker.

"You didn't have to do that," he said through his teeth. "I would have done it."

"Done what?" I blinked, feigning confusion. "But that would make Dante upset."

I turned to Dante, my voice dripping honey. "Right, darling? You hate it when I dance with other men."

Dante's eyes grew intense. "If you don't want to, you don't have to."

"See?" I turned back to Leo. "My fiancé doesn't want me to. Sorry, Leo."

I purred the word "fiancé," and gave Dante's chest a possessive little pat.

Fire lit up in Leo's eyes.

"Dante." His voice was low and dangerous. "A word on the terrace?"

The two men walked out onto the terrace.

I pretended to chat with other guests. I was really listening to them.

"What are you doing?" Leo's voice was full of anger.

"I'm taking care of my fiancée," Dante answered calmly.

"Fiancée?" Leo sneered. "Don't forget this is just a game, Dante. She's a blank slate. She remembers nothing."

"Maybe that's for the best."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means maybe she doesn't need to remember the things that hurt her."

"Dante, I'm warning you," Leo threatened. "Stay away from her. You're my cousin. Don't take this game too seriously."

"And you?" Dante shot back. "What are you doing?"

Silence stretched between them. I looked away.

They came back a few minutes later.

Leo's face was a storm cloud. Dante just looked thoughtful.

At midnight, we finally went back to Dante's mansion.

The alcohol made me a little dizzy, but my mind was sharp.

"You drank too much," Dante said, helping me up the stairs.

"I'm fine," I purred. "Just a little... hot."

We stopped at my bedroom door.

"Get some rest," Dante said, turning to leave.

But I grabbed his wrist.

"Don't go," I said, looking into his eyes. "I'm a little... lonely."

He stopped. He turned to face me.

Moonlight streamed through the window. It cast shadows on his face.

"Isabella..." His voice was rough.

I gave his wrist a sharp tug.

Then I let myself sway, a calculated fall straight into his arms.