Chapter 9

Gerald kept his hand firm on the small of Lily’s back as they stepped into the grand hall. Crystal lights hung from the high ceiling and threw soft gold across the polished floor. Long tables covered in white cloth stretched through the room. 

Men in dark tailored suits and women in expensive dresses filled the space. The low music mixed with the sound of glasses and quiet conversation.

Lily felt the air change the moment they entered. Heads turned. Conversations paused. Eyes moved over the short red dress that clung to her body and left her back bare. She kept her chin high even as her pulse quickened. 

She had been stared at before in clubs and on streets, but these stares carried more weight. These people had real power.

Gerald felt every look. He saw the way the men’s eyes dropped to Lily’s legs and the deep cut of her dress. He saw the women studying her with envy and calculation. 

A dark satisfaction settled in his chest. They all wanted what was his. They could look. They could want. But they would never have her. The thought made his grip on her waist tighten with quiet possession.

Cleo stood across the room in a tight black dress, a glass of champagne in her hand. When she saw them, her expression cracked for a second. Shock first, then raw anger. Her eyes locked on Lily and the way Gerald held her so openly.

Lily met Cleo’s stare without blinking. The same woman who had slapped her and called her a toy now had to watch her walk in on Gerald’s arm. Lily refused to look away first.

Gerald noticed the silent war between the two women and almost smiled. Let Cleo choke on it.

Don Marco, the host, approached with a broad smile and open arms. “Gerald. You finally arrived.” His gaze slid to Lily and lingered too long on the curve of her breasts and the length of her legs. “And who is this beautiful woman?”

“Lily,” Gerald said, voice clear enough for nearby guests to hear. “She is with me.”

Don Marco’s eyebrows rose. “With you? In what way?”

“In every way that matters,” Gerald answered. “She is mine.”

Lily felt heat climb up her neck. Being claimed so openly in front of all these powerful people made her stomach twist. Part of her hated the ownership in his voice. Another part of her felt a dangerous thrill she did not want to name.

They moved deeper into the party. Gerald kept her close as he greeted other men. Each introduction came with the same quiet message. Lily belonged to him. The men nodded, smiled, and still let their eyes roam over her body. Lily answered when spoken to but kept her words short. She could feel the hunger in the room like heat on her skin.

Gerald watched it all. Every lingering look fed the dark pleasure inside him. They wanted her. They could never take her. She was his to touch, his to fuck, his to keep. The more they stared, the more he wanted to drag her somewhere private and remind her of that fact.

Cleo finally walked over. Her smile was sharp and cold.

“Gerald,” she said sweetly. “I did not expect you to bring your new toy to something this important.”

Lily’s voice cut in before Gerald could answer. “I have a name. Use it.”

Cleo ignored her and kept her eyes on Gerald. “People are already talking. You know how these families are. They do not like distractions at events like this.”

Gerald’s tone stayed flat and final. “She is not a distraction. She is with me. That is all anyone needs to know.”

Cleo’s smile tightened. She looked Lily up and down one more time, pure hate in her eyes, then turned and walked away.

Lily exhaled quietly. “She is going to be a problem.”

“I know,” Gerald said. His hand slid lower on her back, fingers brushing the bare skin left open by the dress. “Let her watch. Let all of them watch.”

They were heading toward the main table when a younger man stepped into their path. He was tall and well-built, with sharp features and a suit that fit him perfectly. People near him moved aside without being asked.

Elliot Rivera.

Gerald’s body went still. He knew the name. A rising young don with ambition and too much confidence.

Elliot looked at Lily first. His eyes moved slowly over the red dress, the cleavage, the bare legs, and the way she stood beside Gerald. Only after he had taken his time did he look at Gerald.

“Maldovo,” Elliot said with a small, easy smile. “Good to see you. Even better to see what you brought tonight.”

Gerald did not return the smile. “Careful.”

Elliot kept his gaze on Lily. “I am always careful. I am also honest. How much?”

Lily’s heart slammed hard against her ribs. She understood the question the second it left his mouth. She was being priced like an object again in front of an entire room.

Gerald stepped forward half a step, putting more of his body between Lily and Elliot. His voice dropped into something low and dangerous.

“What the fuck did you just say?”

Elliot shrugged as if the question was normal business. “How much for her? I will pay clean. Good money. No trouble after. She would look very good in my house.”

A few people nearby had gone quiet. The tension spread like smoke.

Lily’s hands curled at her sides. She wanted to speak, to tell him to go to hell, but Gerald’s hand pressed hard against her back in a silent order to stay quiet.

Gerald’s eyes stayed locked on Elliot. “She is not for sale. Not tonight. Not ever. Look at her like that again and we will have a real fucking problem.”

Elliot held the stare for a long moment. Then he gave a slow nod, still smiling.

“Understood. For now.”

He looked at Lily one last time, hunger in his eyes, and walked away.

Lily’s pulse was still racing. Gerald kept his hand on her and guided her forward without another word. Around them the party continued, but the air had changed. People had heard. People were watching.

Gerald felt the dark satisfaction still burning in his chest. They all wanted her. Elliot Rivera had even tried to buy her out loud. None of them would ever have her. She was his.

Lily walked beside him with her head high, but inside she felt the weight of every stare and every word. The night was only beginning, and already she knew it would not end quietly.