Dario DeLuca: Savage Bloodline

20. Mia

TWENTY

As I leantowards the mirror, carefully applying mascara to my lashes, the soft sounds of my breathing fill the quiet bathroom. The dim light casts a gentle glow on my face, emphasizing the anticipation in the air. Dario”s footsteps approach behind me, their steady rhythm echoing the uncertainty that tugs at my heart. I meet his piercing gaze in the reflection, our eyes locking in a silent battle of wills.

”You”re not going to the opening tonight,” his deep timbre reverberates through me, an undercurrent of concern beneath the commanding tone. Defiance simmers beneath my composed exterior as I meet his unyielding stare. With a swift movement, I spin to face him, my hands finding their place on my hips.

”Excuse me? Of course, I”m going,” I retort, my voice laced with determination. ”I”ve worked too hard on this project to miss the culmination of all my efforts. I”ve poured my heart and soul into this community center. I need to see it through.”

He crosses his arms, his muscular frame filling the doorway, a formidable presence that challenges me. ”It”s too dangerous, Mia. There could be…complications,” he warns, his words laced with a protectiveness that both infuriates and touches me. ”I can”t allow you to put yourself in harm”s way like that. I”ll make an excuse; say you fell ill.”

Anger simmers in my veins at his presumptuous words. How dare he try to control me and my choices? ”‘Allow’ me?” I scoff, my voice tinged with defiance. ”I don”t need your permission, Dario. This event, this opportunity, means everything to me.”

We stare each other down, the tension crackling between us like electricity in the air. Something flickers in his dark eyes—worry? Protectiveness? I soften my stance slightly, hoping he can understand.

”Look, you”re powerful, right? Have your men there to protect everyone. It”ll be fine,” I suggest, my voice laced with a plea for understanding. I have to do this—for my family and for my community.”

Brushing past him, I feel the brief contact of our bodies, a spark of electricity that ignites my senses. As I enter my bedroom to change, the weight of his intense stare follows me, burning into my back. Turning around, I drink in his fitted charcoal suit that molds to every ridge of his tattooed body. The man is a walking sin covered in secrets.

”Look, you just worry about keeping everybody safe tonight,” I assert with a huff, my voice tinged with frustration and affection. ”I”ll handle the rest.”

I don’t tell him that deep down I agree with him. Going to this opening after receiving another threat might not be the best move. But we’ve spent years working on this community center, and I don’t want to throw that away because someone might decide to come after me.

He promised he’d protect me, so I trust in that. Besides, there is no way whoever this is will make a move at something this big.

With a shake of his head, Dario steps back, allowing me to close the door and complete getting dressed. The room fills with a charged silence as I prepare for the night ahead, the weight of our unspoken emotions lingering in the air.

I pull on a pair of form-fitting black pants and a silk blouse and check out my reflection in the mirror, smoothing over my pants. All the while, anticipation builds within me like a storm brewing beneath the surface. To think the endless days, nights, and long weekends are finally coming to an end.

The weight of responsibility presses down on me along with the nerves, but it feels wrong not to be excited about it, too. Even though the tension remains between my dad and I, this moment trumps everything. From the promise of my hand in marriage to a nefarious person like Dario, to the secrets he’s hiding, none of it matters. Today, it’s about the one common bond we share. His idea is becoming a reality. Swallowing hard against the lump forming in my throat, I move through my final touches robotically until I step out fully dressed in kitten heels that click against the marble floor as I walk down the stairs to the living room where Dario waits for me.

We pullinto the parking lot among cheerful citizens and local media. Evelyn is there stumping for her candidate as usual, and there is an increase in protection, thanks to Dario. But I can’t worry about that now. My parents arrive, and the attention is diverted from me momentarily. Dario and Rafael meet my parents at the door of the car, escorting them to my side.

“Mom, you look beautiful,” I say, acknowledging her presence.

“As do you, my love.” She hugs me, and I reciprocate. Dad grabs my hand. “You did it, baby,” my dad beams, framing my face with his soft hands. This center will change so many kids’ lives. You’ll see.”

Mom loops her arm through mine. Her pride is evident by the crinkling, soft laughter lines. ”We”re so incredibly proud of you, Mia.”

For now, any lingering resentment over my dad’s deal with Dario melts away as I bask in their affection. Dario joins us, and we turn toward the crowd and wave in the usual political fashion. The city manager brings over the oversized novelty pair of shears, and Dad and I place our hands on the handle.

“The Gordon Community Center is now open!”

Flashing cameras and cheers from the crowd greet us as we slice the ceremonial ribbon. Pride swells in my chest—this is my legacy being cemented before my eyes.

We stroll inside, welcoming those who have gathered to tour the building before the inaugural dedication speeches take place.

The community center is abuzz with excitement and energy. People mingle throughout the ample space, admiring the various rooms. There are sleek computer labs with the latest tech…quiet study nooks tucked into cozy corners…, and even a craft room humming with sewing machines and sculpting tools. This place has everything a kid could need to find their spark.

I work the crowd with a smile, engaging the attendees in conversation and soaking up their enthusiasm. Their joy and gratitude wash over me, fueling my sense of accomplishment.

Spotting my parents across the room, I approach them, Dario trailing close behind me like a silent sentinel. My mother envelopes me in a tight hug, her eyes misty.

”Oh, Mia, just look at what you”ve done here! It”s marvelous,” she gushes, squeezing my hands.

Dad beams with pride, though I can still see the shadows of strain around his eyes from our recent disagreement. ”You”ve outdone yourself, sweetheart. This is going to make such a difference for so many.”

We pose for some photos together, the smiles genuine even if the emotions underneath are more complicated. I”m determined not to let our issues detract from the joy and significance of this day.

As I continue circulating and basking in the crowd”s positive energy, I can”t shake the awareness of Dario constantly at my back, watching me. His presence both unnerves and thrills me, sending shivers down my spine.

What is this hold he seems to have over me? I both crave his approval and bristle at his attempts to control me. My feelings are a tangled mess when it comes to my dark, dangerous captor.

But I don”t have time to unravel them now. Today is about the community center, not my confusing emotional state. I paste on a glowing smile and focus on the beautiful celebration unfolding before me.

As I continue mingling with the enthusiastic crowd, I feel a magnetic pull drawing me toward Dario. Glancing over, I see him standing to the side, talking with his constituents, yet his piercing gaze is fixed intently on me as I wrap up a conversation with the head of the scholarship committee.

My heart stutters as he approaches with panther-like grace, the crowd parting reverently around him. Up close, his chiseled features and blue eyes promise forbidden pleasures.

”I see you”re wearing my ring,” Dario says as he materializes at my elbow.

I swallow hard, trying to regain my equilibrium. ”Well, we have to keep up appearances, don”t we? Play the happily engaged power couple.”

The wolfish admiration in his stare steals my breath. Dario DeLuca…a man more dangerous than a pride of lions. And I”m all too willing to let him devour me whole.

”Mia! There you are.” Evelyn sweeps up, her heels clicking on the hardwood floor. ”It”s time for the dedication speeches. Where are Marcus and Josephine?”

“Here they come,” I say as my parents make their way over to where we stand.

My mother’s eyes hold emotions and a smile that fills my heart with joy. Oddly, I see the same thing when I look at my dad. Despite everything that has happened, they still manage to remain close.

“Great. Everyone is here. Let’s start the ceremonial part of today’s agenda,” Evelyn announces.

We proceed toward the small dais at the front of the gymnasium floor, a united front for the public eye. The DJ plays through the last song as I ascend the makeshift stage, nerves fluttering in my stomach despite my outward poise. The room falls hushed as the crowd”s anticipation mounts. I smooth my blouse and take a steadying breath.

”Thank you all for coming to celebrate the grand opening of the Gordon Community Center.” My voice rings clear and confident, imbued with the passion that fueled this endeavor. ”This has been a dream years in the making—to create a safe haven for our youth, a place of learning, personal growth, and opportunity.”

My gaze sweeps across the diverse faces, from prominent city officials to the disadvantaged families this center aims to uplift. ”We all know the struggle of making it in this city, of kids getting swept into the wrong crowds and lacking alternatives.” I pause, feeling the weight of her words. ”But today marks a new chapter. One of hope and positive change.”

My focus lands on Dario standing near me to the side, his obsidian eyes locked on me with an inscrutable intensity. A tremor works its way beneath my breastbone as I push on. ”None of this would be possible without the generous construction efforts of my fiancé Dario DeLuca.” I incline my head graciously. ”His commitment to investing in our communities is an inspiring testament to creating lasting impact.”

”I”d also like to thank my best friend Gabrielle for her unwavering support throughout the planning process.” I find the honey blonde and black tresses belonging to my bestie and catch a glimpse of her beaming face in the crowd. ”All the late nights and endless pavement pounding to poll the community on what they would like to have wouldn’t have made it if it weren’t for her assistance.”

I draw a fortifying breath.

”But most of all, I need to express my deepest gratitude to my father, Marcus Gordon.” I glance in his direction. ”For having the vision and heart to want to give back to the community he came from. This is his legacy, and I”m honored to help bring his dream to fruition.”

Tears prick at my eyes, but I blink them back, determined to finish strong.

”Daddy, your love for our people is the foundation this center is built on. I can only hope to make you proud as I carry on your legacy of service.” My voice wavers on the last line, the double meaning behind the words settling heavily on my heart. I may not see eye to eye with my father on everything, but we are unwaveringly aligned in giving back. ”It”s my greatest honor to introduce to you now, my hero, Marcus Gordon!”

Extending my hand, I gesture for my father to join me at the podium. As our eyes meet, a lifetime of unspoken words and conflicting emotions pass between them...

The crowd erupts into thunderous applause as my father joins me on stage. He pulls me into a tight hug before taking his place at the mic. I step back beside Dario, his hand resting possessively on the small of my back.

”Thank you, Mia. I could not be more proud of your unwavering dedication to this project…”

His broad shoulders are drawn back with pride, but his dark eyes hold a complex emotion I can”t quite decipher.

The weight of his gaze is like a physical caress. A bittersweet pang twinge in my chest, a longing for the easy affection of my childhood, when he was my whole world—before the business, politics, and the tangled web of criminal allegiances tore us apart.

”Friends, family, esteemed members of the community, today marks more than just the opening of a new building. It signifies the dawn of a new era of hope and possibility for the people of this great city.”

Murmurs of agreement ripple through the crowd, and I nod. ”For too long, our community has been overlooked, underserved. But no more. The Gordon Community Center is a beacon, a promise that everyone here matters. That their dreams matter.”

”My daughter spoke of legacy, and she”s right. This center, this…mission, is a labor of love that spans generations. It”s a flame lit in my father”s heart, one I”ve carried my whole life. And one I know will continue to burn bright in Mia long after I”m gone.”

Dario shifts beside me, and I have to force myself not to get distracted by him. It’s useless because all I can think about is him fucking me senseless at the mixer. I should be angry at him and disgusted with myself for not fighting him off. Instead, I let lust get the best of me.

Clearing my thoughts, I focus on my father’s speech. The night is too important to become derailed by misplaced wants and unhealed wounds.

Dad’s words fade as movement in my peripheral vision catches my attention. A figure stumbles through the entrance, limbs flailing, emitting a strangled cry. Whispers of confusion ripple through the crowd as all eyes turn towards the disturbance.

That”s when I see it—flickering flames lapping at one of Dario’s men”s body, crawling up his torso, hungrily consuming the fabric of his clothes. The stench of singed hair and burnt flesh assaults my senses as he lurches forward.

Screams pierce the air, the roar of panic overtaking the once celebratory atmosphere. Tables clatter to the floor as people scramble in every direction, a sea of bodies crashing against each other in desperation to escape.

My heart hammers as his gaze locks onto mine through the inferno, wide eyes pleading, reaching out a charred hand as if begging me to help me.

Then, the deafening rat-a-tat-tat of gunfire rips through the chaos, bullets spraying like a perverse kind of confetti.