11. Lena #3
I throw up a hand, exasperated, and head toward the coatroom, desperate for a break from the rollercoaster that is this night. Seeing Mario was a relief, but I’m not ready to unpack the Anton mess with anyone. Still, I might talk to Mario about principles. Just… not all of them.
I step inside the coatroom and close the door behind me. Off go the heels, with a speed that could win medals. I sigh as the cool tile kisses my feet. I check my phone. Photos of the two of us, tonight’s golden couple, are already circulating. Alice is doing her job. So much effort... for a fake.
The door slams open. Please let it be Lexi. Or someone with water. I turn, but standing there, wearing that same sinister smirk as always, is Anton. He steps inside, dragging one leg slightly, a twisted echo of our unfinished history, and locks the door behind him with a click.
“Mrs. Monti. Congratulations.”
My whole body goes on alert. “What are you doing here?”
“At the party? Or here, with you?” He pauses, like he’s waiting for an answer. “I was personally invited by your charming husband, who apparently couldn’t resist the chance to humiliate me.”
He steps closer. “And as for being here with you... I wanted to confirm something.”
His eyes sweep over me, slow and contemptuous. “Silk doesn’t turn a stray into a lady. You kicked off your shoes the second no one was watching. You’re not made for luxury, Lena. And it’s too late to learn.”
“Dominic will break your bones if he finds out you locked this door with me inside.”
“Right… Dominic.” He smirks. “The rich, powerful husband. All he does is highlight how desperate you were to sneak your way into high society.”
He lets it hang there for a second. “And just so you know, I checked in at your office. No one knows about your so-called investigation into me. You're full of shit. And arrogance.”
He steps in, closing the space between us like it’s his to take. I scan the room for anything I can use to defend myself.
“Don’t bother looking. You can’t hurt me.” His voice drips arrogance. “I came to give you one final warning: drop it. My family doesn’t show mercy. A hundred Montis wouldn’t scare us. But your family? They’ll suffer if you publish anything about me.”
A rush of rage and revulsion floods through me. Bad move bringing up my family. Anton looms, massive and reeking of whiskey, all menace and decay. A predator in a designer suit.
“Anton, don’t come closer. You’ll regret it.”
He smiles — repulsive — and moves in until I can feel his breath, hot and sour, on my neck.
His weight pushes me back, heavy, suffocating.
No time to think. I call up every scrap of muscle memory from Krav Maga, the brutal self-defense course I took during university, and slam my knee straight into his groin.
The impact jolts through his body, still pressed against mine.
A raw, savage thrill tears through me as he crumples forward with a strangled groan.
He doubles over, gasping. I don’t stop. I swing my elbow into his back, throwing all my weight behind it, until he crashes to the floor, panting, broken.
A dizzy wave crashes through me, and my whole body starts to shake.
I collapse beside him, struggling to breathe, tears burning down my face.
A loud crash slams against the door. Then another.
Wood cracks, splinters fly. Dominic’s voice cuts through the chaos, rough and urgent, calling my name.
He bursts in, eyes wild, scanning the room.
Sees me crumpled on the floor, Anton gasping beside me.
In seconds, he’s on his knees, reaching for me, voice breaking as he says my name again.
“Lena? Are you okay? Did he touch you? I’ll fucking kill him—”
His fists clench as he grabs Anton by the collar, ready to cave in his face.
“No!” I cry, reaching for him. “Let him go, Dominic. I hit him. I ... collapsed. I think I’m going to faint.”
He freezes, then releases him. Anton slumps to the floor with a groan.
A second later, Dominic turns to me, eyes scanning my face like he’s checking for damage. Then he lifts me into his arms—slow, careful, like I might break if he’s not gentle.
Lexi, Gabriel, and Leo rush in.
“Leo,” Dominic snaps, voice like a blade, “call the police.”
“No!” I plead, clutching his arm. “Not yet.”
He looks down at me, torn, wrestling with the decision. Then, to Leo, “Take Anton to his men. Tell them they’ve got ten minutes to vanish from this hotel, or I’ll call the police myself.”
“You’ll pay for this,” Anton growls, trying to push up.
Gabriel and Leo grab him and haul him toward the door.
“You’re lucky it’s my wedding,” Dominic calls after him, voice like ice. “But I don’t forget. This city will lock you out—no clubs, no restaurants, not even a soup kitchen. You touched Lena. That means I’m coming for you. I’m letting you walk tonight. Just tonight.”
My head rests against his chest, and I hear his heartbeat, fast and uneven.
Like he’s calm on the outside, but inside, something’s not sitting still.
I let myself melt into him, even as the adrenaline still hums under my skin.
He turns slightly and calls over his shoulder to Lexi, who’s pacing anxiously.
“Lexi, go back to the ballroom. Tell Alice to handle the guests, play music, distract them, whatever. I’ll be back soon.”
The elevator doors slide shut with a soft chime.
We’re quiet, breathing hard. His hand still gripping mine like he’s afraid to let go.
He pulls me into his chest, holding me tight.
“I lost you in that crowd tonight,” I whisper.
“The noise, the people, Anton, it was too much. Don’t leave me alone in this world of yours again. ”
His arms stiffen slightly, but he doesn’t pull away. He lowers his head, resting his forehead against mine. His breath is warm.
“Seeing you on the floor, near him… it shook me. Fear, fury, both hit at once. It felt like a nightmare, waiting to happen.”
It’s not a declaration. Just a raw confession. He was terrified. Terrified for me. I close my eyes. My body relaxes before my mind can catch up. I should keep my guard up. I know that. But right now, all I want is to stay here. Close to him.
He lifts a hand and brushes my cheek, like he’s trying to read my mind. “You’re not alone in this, baby. I promise you.”
I bite my lip and close my eyes for a second, startled by how much I want to believe him. Everything still feels too fragile, too uncertain. And yet... in his arms, the fear feels a little smaller. My heart hesitates, but my body already surrendered.