Chapter 31 Gabriella
Luca has been quiet all evening, but not the comfortable kind of silence we sometimes share. There’s space between us that didn’t exist before Prague, and tonight it feels wider than ever.
He stands close enough to touch, but the way he’s watching me makes it seem as though he’s already stepped back.
I’m losing him.
"You look beautiful," Luca says from behind me as I adjust my earrings in the mirror. His reflection appears over my shoulder, and I catch his eyes in the glass.
"Thank you." I turn to face him. "Are you ready for the party?"
"Are you?"
It's become our new way of communicating, short questions that carry more weight than their simple words suggest. Everything between us is layered now, coded with the knowledge of who I really am.
"I'll be fine. I've been Sofia for weeks now."
"Yes," he says quietly. "But tonight feels different. People might be watching.”
The drive to his father’s villa is silent except for Paolo's occasional updates. Extra security, Luca had mentioned. I wonder what kind of threats require additional protection at a dinner party.
The villa blazes with light when we arrive, every window glowing against the darkening sky. Expensive cars line the circular drive, and I can hear laughter and conversation spilling from the open terrace doors.
"Remember," Luca murmurs as we walk toward the entrance, "you've been to events like this before. With your father. You know most of these people."
"I remember."
But my heart is racing as we step into the foyer. This is the most dangerous performance I've given yet. We’ll be surrounded by people who knew Sofia before the wedding, who might notice inconsistencies I can't anticipate.
Elena sweeps toward us in a cloud of expensive perfume and genuine affection. "Darling! You both look radiant. Prague obviously agreed with you."
"It was wonderful," I say, accepting her air kisses.
The evening passes in careful navigation through conversations about art, politics, and business deals. I nod at appropriate moments, laugh when expected, and let Luca guide most of the discussions.
But I sense his eyes on me throughout the night. Not just the usual attention a new bride receives, but something more protective.
That's when I spot him.
Dante Mancini.
He’s standing near the bar, impeccably dressed and holding a glass of champagne. When our eyes meet across the room, he smiles. It's the same predatory expression I remember from Milan, but tonight it carries a sharp edge that makes my skin crawl.
"Excuse me," I murmur to the woman I've been speaking with about museum exhibitions. "I need to find the ladies' room."
Before I can escape, Dante appears at my elbow.
"Mrs. Romano. How lovely to see you again." He takes my hand and brings it to his lips. I fight the urge to snatch it back away from him. "You look even more beautiful than you did in Milan."
"Mr. Mancini. What a nice surprise."
"Oh, I made space in my busy schedule to attend tonight. I was hoping for another chance to speak with you." His smile widens. "And your husband, of course. I believe I see him across the room."
He guides me toward Luca with a hand at my elbow that feels more like a trap than courtesy. Luca sees us approaching and something dangerous flickers in his eyes.
"Dante," Luca says evenly. "I didn't expect to see you here."
"Elena and I are old friends. She was kind enough to extend an invitation when I mentioned how much I enjoyed meeting your charming wife.
" Dante's tone is perfectly pleasant, but there's something underneath it that makes me pay closer attention.
"I've been thinking about our evening in Milan quite a bit. "
"Have you?" Luca's voice is carefully neutral.
"Oh yes. Particularly about the poker game. Your wife has such... interesting skills for someone who claimed to be a beginner."
He’s threatening me.
I smile at him. "Beginner's luck, as you said that night."
"Yes, that's what I thought initially. Then I started wondering about other explanations." Dante sips his champagne, eyes never leaving my face. "I did a little research."
I keep my expression pleasantly confused. "Research? On what?"
"Into your background. Your education. Your family history." Each word is carefully chosen, calculated to unnerve me. "Fascinating what you can discover when you know the right people to ask."
Luca moves closer, and slides his arm around my waist, tugging me tight against his side. "And what did you discover, Dante?"
"Oh, many interesting things. For instance, did you know that the Arcari family has quite a complex history? More complex than most people realize."
"Most families do," Luca says.
"True. But not every family has such... unusual circumstances surrounding their daughters." Dante's smile becomes razor-sharp. "Would you like to know what I found most intriguing about you, Mrs. Romano?"
I can't speak. Can't breathe. He knows. Somehow, he's figured it out.
"I found it fascinating," Dante continues, "that someone with your gentle background could play poker like a professional.
Could read tells and manage betting patterns like someone who'd spent years in underground games across Europe.
" He pauses. "Almost as if you'd lived a completely different life than the one in your official records. "
"I think you've had too much champagne," Luca says, but his voice carries a warning.
"Have I? Or have I simply been more observant than most?" Dante leans closer. "Tell me, Mrs. Romano, have you ever been to Bangkok? Or perhaps S?o Paulo? I have contacts in those cities who might find your face familiar."
The mention of specific cities where I've traveled makes my knees weak. He's not guessing. He has actual information.
"This conversation is over," Luca snaps.
"No, it isn’t. In fact, I think it's just beginning." Dante's eyes glitter with malicious satisfaction. "You see, I don't like being made a fool of. And I especially don't like losing money to someone who lied about their capabilities."
"What do you want?" I ask.
"Justice. Compensation for my losses. And perhaps a more honest conversation about who you really are." He finishes his champagne and sets the glass on a nearby table. "I think you'll find I can be very persuasive when I want answers."
Luca’s hand tightens slightly around my waist. "Is that a threat?" he asks.
"It's a promise. I'll be in touch soon to discuss terms." Dante inclines his head in a mockery of politeness. "Enjoy the rest of your evening. Both of you. Lovely party."
He walks away, leaving us standing there with the weight of his implied blackmail hanging between us.
"We need to leave," Luca says quietly. “Now.”
"But your stepmother—"
"Will understand that my wife isn't feeling well."
The ride home passes in silence, but this time it's charged with a different kind of tension.
"How much does he know?" I ask finally.
"Enough to be dangerous."
"What are we going to do?"
"I’ll handle it.”
"How?"
He glances at me. "Leave that to me. You don’t need to know details."
"Luca—"
"Don't." His voice is quiet but final. "Don't apologize, don't explain, don't try to fix this. It's done and now it must be taken care of."
“Can we talk about this when we get inside?” I ask.
“I’m not coming in with you. I’ll be home later. Don’t wait up for me.”
We pull through the gates of the villa, and I realize that everything has changed again.
Now there's only one question left to answer. How far is Luca willing to go to protect a wife who isn't really his wife at all?
And how much blood will it cost to keep my secret buried?