Chapter Seven
Isabella
I never appreciated the courses I took at college until the first time I had to attend one of my husband’s parties.
It was great learning all of the skills needed to be the perfect omega because even if I hated my role now, those skills had saved me many a broken bone during my marriage.
But I’d brushed aside acquiring the ability to act, something I learned very early on was going to be my downfall if I didn’t figure it out.
My job at these events was to be the perfect omega in all ways. I’d stand by my husband’s side, saying the perfect words, doing the right things, looking the part of a powerful man’s trophy. Nothing could be out of place. One misstep, and I’d pay.
My voice was to be calm and demure, but also educated enough that I was worthy of such a man.
I was to bring up important talking points, but nothing that might upset my husband or expose any weakness he might have.
I was to eat and drink enough that I looked like I was enjoying myself, but not to the extent that I might I’d gain an ounce or get a little woozy.
The most difficult task of all was covering all of that with my happy I want to be here, I’m living the dream life persona.
Some events were harder than others. Tonight’s, for example.
I’d already pissed Mark off when I came out dressed in my long-sleeved, floor-length, high-necked gown.
It hadn’t been approved, was technically out of season, and anybody in the room who’d ever been abused would instantly understand its purpose.
I’d pay for it later. But what choice did I have?
Showing the world what he did to me? If I revealed a bruise or lump and someone made a comment, my current hell would feel like a trip to the amusement park.
The party was in full swing. Really, it should be called a gathering.
No one was having fun. Everyone was doing their part, trying to make connections, attempting not to piss off the bosses present, trying to prove that they were whatever status they deemed themselves.
Awful. Horrible. Nobody’s idea of a good time.
Except maybe Mark’s. I never could read him.
I had my arm woven through Mark’s, a glass of champagne in my other hand, being a dutiful wife and listening to conversation after conversation.
Currently, one of the fellow bosses was talking to Mark about some futures he’d been eyeing.
I didn’t understand the point of the discussion.
Mark wasn’t going to take a competitor’s advice.
He was going to use his own men, ones he trusted, not because they were particularly worthy but because they, like me, knew that if you didn’t live up to expectations, it might be your last day above ground.
And then the don did something I instantly knew was going to ruin my already weak position with Mark for the night. He asked my opinion. “What do you think, Isabella? Is that something you’d want to learn more about?”
There was absolutely no right answer. If I said I wanted to learn more, I was overstepping. If not, then I was being disrespectful to the don. No matter how this played out, I was screwed. A total trap.
“I don’t know if I have time. It’s a busy season, after all,” I said, keeping my smile slapped firmly in place. For a split second, I thought I’d said something that would keep me from Mark’s wrath.
But then his hand slipped from my arm, and he ran it down the center of my back and over to my right hip.
To anyone else, he would appear touchy, affectionate, a little bit naughty, but I knew better.
My blood chilled. That was his way of telling me I’d fucked up and I was going to pay.
Some days, with lesser people, he’d reveal his wrath for me as a warning to them, but tonight was about show.
He used his secret code to remind me the hell I faced earlier was only the beginning.
A man I’d never met came over and cut in, asking to speak with Mark alone.
It took a lot of audacity to interrupt Mark when he was with another don, but this man must’ve been important.
Mark excused himself, making sure to pinch that spot on my hip, so I fully understood what was coming.
He kissed my cheek like a sweet, dutiful husband and crooned, “Sorry, I need to leave. Wait here and I’ll see you in a few minutes, darling. ”
Darling, my ass. I didn’t know who he thought he was fooling. Everyone knew what a shit he was. They might not know that he was angry, but they knew he stepped out on me, and, in some circles, that was perceived as worse. If I’d been the one stepping out, the ultimate worst…because omega.
Fearing the don would engage me again, I took a step back. “Excuse me, will you. I need to go to the powder room.”
Powder room, as if this was an old-time movie or something. But I was forbidden to say bathroom at these events, something I learned via a broken rib.
Mark had told me to go nowhere, but staying felt riskier. That don already had me in trouble. I’d be back before Mark returned. His few minutes stretched out into much longer.
I reminded myself this was safer, with each step I took. I’d find out how true that was soon enough. Maybe it would be better to be caught. If he beat me until I met the Goddess, at least he wouldn’t be there.
I wove through the crowds, stopped in the bathroom for a minute in case I was being watched, and quickly snuck back out again. I didn’t need anybody following me but also didn’t want to waste my few minutes of freedom with a toilet.
A short walk later, I stepped out onto one of the balconies, one tucked away by the servants’ entrance, so rarely used.
The cooler air hit my face. I could breathe, at least for a moment.
Less than a minute later, three men emerged from inside. In tuxedos, but not bespoke. Possibly even rentals. They looked good and could blend in, but not completely.
Being cornered by Mafia wannabes had happened to me before.
Sometimes they were actively trying to garner my support—for whatever they thought it might be worth.
Others were attempting to show Mark they could get to his weakness with ease.
Ha! As if he cared about me. If anything, someone killing me would give him reason to wage war and conquer another family’s territory.
These alphas were different. Calm fell over me. I wasn’t scared of them or what Mark might do. For the first time since I moved into this house, I felt safe.