10. Ara
We pull up to a curb and as soon as Lorenzo opens my door I know exactly where we are.
“Why?” I ask, almost a hiss under my breath.
He ignores me and steps out rounding the vehicle to open my door. Luca offers his hand to me and has already been provided with an umbrella from Lorenzo. My jaw hurts from grinding my teeth and his lack of response. I don’t accept his hand but I do step under the umbrella and walk up to the entrance by his side. I divert my gaze when I spot the photographer standing at the entrance into the grand building.
“Smile and pretend like you’re happy to be here,” Luca commands. I hate he’s put me in this position. Bringing me out into a public social event. Especially one I’ve not been invited to before and for good reason. But what choice do I have? Any overreaction will look poorly on me. Not him. It damages my reputation alone.
He possessively places his hand around my waist and pulls me in closer under the umbrella. That’s when I realize his other sleeve’s already begun to dampen. I remind myself etiquette is all a part of the show. We both smile for the photographer as I inwardly grit my teeth.
I made a promise to stay under the radar as much as possible when I moved to New York. My father was to remain the image of the companies, including in articles and publications. When together, we’re to ensure we look like a powerful duo from one generation to the next. But coming here, of all places, is something my father takes particular joy in. This will certainly piss him off.
This is a direct challenge against him.
After the photo is taken, Luca offers me a charismatic smile. “Don’t most men show off their favorite new toy?”
“Not you,” I say with a sickly-sweet smile, conscious of those who will see us come in together. “You’ve never attended an event with an escort.”
“Come now. I’d say your worth is far less than an escort. You’re my prisoner.”
My smile matches his, our deadly gazes locked. “My how sweet you are. Good to see my keeper isn’t all brute and you have some wit about you.”
He chuckles dismissively and I look away barely able to keep a calm composure. Will I actually have to pretend to tolerate this man all evening?
I look up into the grand chandelier center of the room. The banquet he’s brought me to is none other than an exclusive dinner with twelve of the wealthiest men in New York. It’s nothing but a pissing party, hidden behind the agenda of old friends catching up.
My father attends it every quarter. I try to avoid most events he attends. But this… This is his domain.
“Luca!” a well-rounded man calls as he approaches us. It’s Jeremey Litton, the CEO of one of the biggest accounting firms in America. He’s specifically fond of Luca, who offers him his fair share of investments—both legal and not. “It’s good to see you. I missed you at the last event.”
Luca provides a polite smile that never quite reaches his eyes. The woman at Jeremey’s side remains quiet and unapproachable, as expected of most of the women at this event. Not even my father brings his wife to these events. It’s often simply a showcase of what—or who—their money can buy. If their wives do attend, it is to show off their new jewelry or what car they are currently driving.
I may avoid attending events such as these but I sure as hell make it my mission to know their ins and outs.
“Yes, well I’ve had a lot of dealings back home in Italy as of late,” Luca charms.
“Well, we hope you’ll be around a little longer this time.”
Luca’s gaze meets mine, as if silently introducing me into the conversation. “Well, I have a reason to stay a little longer now.”
I feel the blood drain from my face. To anyone else it might look like a declaration of love. However, I know better.
Jeremey seems unsure of what to say until he offers his hand out to me. “Lovely to meet you. We have a fundraiser coming up, and we’d love to have you there, Luca.” His attention redirects to him as he shakes my hand.
Dickhead.Can’t even bother with asking for a name. Especially considering my father is most likely attending the very same event.
“I’ll consider it. Now, if you don’t mind,” Luca says, placing his hand on my lower back. A chill runs down my spine as he directs me. A waitress offers us both a glass of champagne. I take it without hesitation. Fuck. I’m tempted to find the kitchen and down the bottle.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” I ask with a tight smile. What game is he playing parading me here? The only one who will care about my attendance is my father. What does Luca Armani have against my father? Or did he do this just because he feels like he fucking can?
“Whatever do you mean, sweetheart?” Luca says endearingly with a smile that never reaches his eyes. The prick is enjoying this.
I exhale and take a sip as we walk up the stairs. “I’ve noticed you have less bodyguards than usual today. Don’t see me as a threat?”
He scoffs. “You’d be less trouble than swatting away a butterfly. Besides, you of all people should know I don’t often take bodyguards to these events.”
“When will Ivan be returning from Italy?” I ask about his second in charge.
His gaze narrows on me as we come to a stop on the stairs. “Don’t you know it’s rude to ask about another man in my presence?”
“More so wondering when you’re returning to Italy. I somewhat prefer when Ivan’s in town.”
His finger is on my chin directing my attention back onto him. “I’m not leaving any time soon, my little stalker. Not until I’ve used you to the fullest.”
A cold dread runs through me. “I thought you said I was the obsessed one?” Is all I manage to say.
“Arabella?” Dmitri’s voice cuts through. I break away from Luca. Dmitri’s timing couldn’t be more perfect and inconvenient at the same time. I don’t want anyone thinking much of our association. Especially Luca of all people questioning what type of association I have with Dmitri. It’s also unsurprising we know each other considering the same type of members run in the same groups. “And Luca?” He seems taken aback. “I never thought I’d see you two at an event together.”
I briefly glance in Luca’s direction. By the way he’s speaking so casually to him, it’s obvious they know one another.
“Is it so surprising to see me with a female companion?” Luca asks, sounding almost bored.
“Not at all.” Dmitri shrugs and holds up a glass of whisky as he takes a sip, assessing us. “I’ve just never seen it.” A pretty brunette escorts him but remains silent. My understanding of Dmitri is he has a different woman every second week. I wonder how much of it is for show. Playing the persona of a playboy. Because I’ve seen the more calculating edge beneath his mask. He has more skeletons in the closet then most.
“Arabella?” My father’s voice cuts through the two men I’m standing between.
Luca presses a hand to my lower back. His claim obvious and not missed by Dmitri, who’s eyebrows furrow. I wonder if he thinks I’ve double-crossed him. Not that our business has ever been like that. I’ve helped him with an issue in the past, and he’s directed me on my course so I can discover the final answer to the mystery from fourteen years ago.
My resolve hardens when I think about being the twelve-year-old girl locked in a home with a murderous psycho with eyes as dark as night wearing a mask. A man ready to take my life after he’d only just taken my mother’s.
“Father,” I say with a smile and an arrogance that I absolutely belong here.
I don’t recognize his escort who’s been left behind to sit at the table. When he travels for business meetings, he often leaves my stepmother, Sarah, in Boston. She was only ever permitted out of Boston when my father decided to take her on a luxurious holiday.
“What are you doing here?” His gaze settles on Luca’s hand on my lower back. “With Mr. Armani?” He offers a polite enough smile, but I can tell it’s insincere. It’s very much the same as the one the monster beside me offers.
“I invited your daughter as my companion tonight. Considering how up and coming she is, I figured she’d one day be invited to such events of her own accord,” Luca says with a charming smile.
My father pauses before dismissively adding, “How kind.” A bell rings and members begin to take their seat. “If I could have a brief word with my daughter.” My father grabs my elbow and pulls me away with a hushed tone.
“Why are you here with Luca Armani? You’re playing with fire, Arabella. Do you really think I’ll allow this?”
I keep my composure as if it’s a pleasant exchange only because of the spectacle it would make otherwise. Not that I really cared about knocking my father down a few pegs. So instead, I sweetly say, “I don’t know what you mean father. I’m simply out with a friend.”
“Luca Armani does not have friends. We made an agreement before you left Boston.”
Luca interrupts with a benevolent smile. “Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d like to take my date to be seated.” Oddly enough, I’m almost grateful for his intrusion, although I know it doesn’t end this conversation. My father does not take kindly to things out of his control—his family included and especially me.
Quite frankly he can shove his agreement up his ass.
Luca pulls my chair out, and I thank him gratefully. I can sense a few eyes on us and presume to play the part. I have the sense Luca is enjoying it, not their attention but most likely what he considers as my submission. He recognizes in a social setting I’ll tame myself. It’s almost seeming like a game to him now.
A man stands up, drawing the attention of the room before beginning his speech.
Underneath the table, Luca rests his hand on my knee, and I pull a tight, polite smile as he leans into me. “You hate it as much as I do, don’t you? These men who have nothing better to do than flash their money about.”
I lean into him. “It’s strange how you think you’re any different. Maybe the only difference is you actually have a big cock.”
I regret it the moment it leaves my mouth because I can sense his lazy smile before I glance in his direction.
“You like my cock.”
“That’s not what I said,” I hiss under my breath.
Dmitri, who sits across from us, clears his throat, and I notice a few people glance in our direction.
“Should we leave?” Luca asks, and his hand trails gently over my dress and digs into my inner thigh.
“Not unless you want that fork on your left staked into your leg,” I add with another tight smile and clap as everyone else does.
Luca chuckles and casually leans back in his chair as the main meal is brought out. His mood immediately sours the moment a dish with scallops is placed in front of him. They place chicken in front of me.
I internally roll my eyes and exchange our plates. “Stop pouting. Seafood is not going to kill you.”
“It already tried once. I don’t give things a second chance.”
It’s exhausting,this chain and leash business, and I can’t figure out why he’s involved my father. It’s the only reason I can think he’d want our association known publicly and here specifically. Because to every other member in this room, I’m nothing.
“Why are you dragging me along to this? You don’t need my father’s influence,” I say quietly as I pierce a scallop. He also seems to have little interest in his dish.
“No, I don’t. I don’t think you’re in the position to ask any questions unless you’re willing to tell me why you have a secret little room and diary all about me. I’m sure as hell interested in that.”
My throat constricts.
“No wonder you’re single,” I say. “Your manners toward women is deplorable.”
His slow sensual smile gives me the chills. “Didn’t I already tell you? I own you. You’re not a woman to me, but a possession. One I’d prefer not to speak.”
“I’m sure all the conversations you have with yourself go swimmingly then,” I add as I bite into the scallop, never removing my gaze from his.
The cruel smile remains. “Very daring, Ara. Are we going to be like this all night?”
“Actually, I’m hoping it spoils your meal so we can leave sooner.”