Leo looked at Emery, and Emery felt lost in Leo as they danced. The world seemed to fade away as they moved together in perfect harmony, their connection palpable. The music swelled around them, creating an intimate bubble that made them forget everything else. When the dance ended, they shared a tender kiss, sealing the moment with their love.
The room erupted in applause, the sound echoing off the grand walls of the ballroom. Rowan kept his eyes on Amara the entire time, watching her every move, every expression. His gaze was intense, unwavering.
Seeing the dance end, Alessandro turned to Amara and extended his hand toward her. “May I have this dance, sweetheart?” he asked, his voice smooth and confident.
Amara looked at Alessandro, taken aback by the request. She hadn’t expected this, especially not in front of everyone, including Alessandro Romano’s family. Knowing they were soon to be engaged, she reluctantly accepted his hand and walked toward the dance floor. The crowd parted for them, giving them space.
As they began to dance, some guests looked on with smiles, happy to see the future couple sharing a moment. However, others were secretly jealous, envious of Alessandro’s closeness to Amara. Rowan’s eyes chilled as he saw Amara’s hand in Alessandro’s. The glass in his hand cracked as he tightened his grip on the whiskey glass, his rage barely contained.
Harvey felt a chill run down his spine as he saw his older brother’s expression. He knew that look all too well. Kyle, standing nearby, couldn’t help but feel a surge of panic in his heart. As Rowan’s assistant, he knew it was his job to manage the situation, but they were not in Las Vegas. They were at their enemy’s wedding celebrations. If Rowan unleashed his rage here, it could spell disaster.
Kyle’s mind raced as he considered the possible repercussions. The ballroom was filled with the Moretti family’s allies, and their new in-laws held significant government positions in Russia. The situation could turn deadly if things got out of hand.
Meanwhile, Rowan continued to watch Alessandro and Amara dance. Alessandro’s hand rested possessively on Amara’s waist, guiding her gracefully across the floor. The way Alessandro twirled her, the way their families looked on with approval, only fueled Rowan’s anger. He imagined all the ways he could end Alessandro, his mind already plotting his demise.
Amara, though trying to maintain her composure, couldn’t ignore the tension. She felt Alessandro’s hands on her body, guiding her with practiced ease. She forced herself to smile, knowing the eyes of everyone in the room were on them. She caught a glimpse of Rowan’s steely gaze and felt a shiver of fear mixed with an inexplicable thrill.
“You’re doing great,” Alessandro whispered into her ear, his breath warm against her skin. “Just a little longer.”
Amara nodded, her smile tight. She wanted nothing more than for the dance to end, for this night to be over. But she knew she had to play her part, for her family’s sake.
As the dance continued, Rowan’s fury simmered beneath the surface. He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. This was not the time or place to lose control. He had to be strategic, calculated. He couldn’t afford to let his emotions dictate his actions.
Harvey and Kyle exchanged worried glances. They could see the storm brewing within Rowan, and they knew they had to do something before it erupted. Harvey took a step forward, ready to intervene, but Kyle placed a hand on his shoulder, shaking his head slightly.
“Let him be,” Kyle whispered. “We need to wait for the right moment.”
Harvey hesitated but nodded. They watched in tense silence as the dance finally came to an end. The guests applauded, and Alessandro led Amara back to their table, his hand still on her waist. Rowan’s eyes never left them, his mind a whirlwind of dark thoughts.
As Amara and Alessandro rejoined their families, Rowan took a deep breath and set his glass down on a nearby table, the crack in it a stark reminder of his barely contained rage. He needed to regain control.
Alessandro stayed close, his presence both reassuring and suffocating. He seemed to sense her unease and kept a protective hand on her arm, guiding her through the room.
“You look beautiful tonight,” Alessandro said softly, his eyes warm as they met hers.
“Thank you,” Amara replied, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
Alessandro smiled, gently squeezing her arm. “Wait here. I need to check on something,” he said before walking away.
As soon as Alessandro was out of sight, Rowan seized the opportunity. He moved toward Amara, his eyes locked on her. Amara’s heart raced as she saw him approaching. She was about to turn and leave, but Rowan’s hand shot out, gripping her arm tightly.
“Dance with me,” Rowan demanded, his voice low and commanding.
“Don’t try anything funny here, Rowan,” Amara warned, her eyes narrowing.
“Amara,” he said her name softly, almost tenderly.
She waved her hand dismissively. “If you want to dance, go dance by yourself.”
Just then, Lucas came forward, sensing the tension. “Mr. Falcone, do you need something?” he asked, his voice steady but his eyes wary.
“It’s fine, Lucas,” Amara said quickly, not wanting to draw more attention.
Rowan watched Lucas intently before indicating toward Amara. “Yes, her.”
In a swift motion, Amara silently pulled Lucas’s gun from his coat and pointed it at Rowan’s stomach, making sure no one else could see. “Rowan… leave,” she said quietly, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside.
Rowan chuckled, a dark glint in his eyes. “If I see Alessandro within ten steps of you, I will kill him, and trust me, I am not bluffing,” he said, his tone chilling.
Amara’s grip on the gun tightened. “I will kill you before you even try,” she replied, her voice laced with determination.
Rowan’s eyes sparkled with amusement. “Oh,” he said, as if considering her words.
Amara continued, her voice firm. “He is my fiance.”
Rowan’s expression darkened slightly, but he turned around and started to walk away. “Soon he won’t be,” he called over his shoulder, his words hanging ominously in the air.
Amara stood there, her heart pounding, as she watched Rowan disappear into the crowd. She carefully slipped the gun back into Lucas’s coat and took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. The room seemed to close in around her, the weight of the situation pressing down on her shoulders.
Lucas stepped closer, his concern evident. “Are you alright, Miss?” he asked softly.
Amara nodded, forcing a smile. “I’m fine, Lucas. Thank you.”
Lucas looked at her for a moment, his eyes searching hers for any sign of weakness. Satisfied that she was holding up, he nodded and stepped back, allowing her some space.
Amara’s mind raced. She knew Rowan was dangerous, but the intensity of his threat had shaken her. She couldn’t let him get to Alessandro, not when so much was at stake. She needed to stay strong, to protect her family and her future.
Alessandro returned, a glass of champagne in his hand. “Everything alright?” he asked, his smile genuine.
“Yes, everything’s fine,” Amara replied, taking the glass from him. She sipped the champagne, the cool liquid helping to calm her nerves.
“Good,” Alessandro said, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Let’s enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Amara nodded, leaning into him slightly. She needed to play her part, to keep up appearances. But deep down, she knew that the night was far from over, and the real battle had only just begun.
As the evening wore on, Amara kept a watchful eye on Rowan, who remained on the outskirts of the party, his gaze never straying far from her. She felt a mix of anger and frustration, knowing that he wouldn’t hesitate to follow through on his threat.
The guests continued to mingle, their laughter and chatter filling the grand ballroom. Leo and Emery were the center of attention, their love story celebrated by both families. But beneath the surface, tension simmered, and Amara could feel it like a tangible force.
Alessandro, unaware of the undercurrents, enjoyed the festivities, his smile never fading. He was charming and attentive, making sure Amara felt comfortable. But every time he stepped away, even for a moment, Amara’s eyes would dart to Rowan, her anxiety spiking.
Harvey and Kyle were silently glad that Rowan had managed to hold himself back.
After the party ended, Amara retreated to her room, grateful for a moment of solitude. The evening had been exhausting, filled with socializing and managing the delicate balance of her emotions. Vaughn was safe and sound, sleeping with his grandparents, providing her with some peace of mind. The room was quiet, but her thoughts were loud, echoing the night’s events. She changed into a comfortable nightgown and lay down on her bed, staring at the ceiling.
Just as she was beginning to relax, she heard a faint noise coming from the balcony. Her heart skipped a beat, and she sat up, listening intently. The sound grew louder-footsteps, unmistakably approaching. Her mind raced, considering who it could be. Alessandro? One of the staff? Or, dreadfully, Rowan?