“Too busy for me?” Alessandro’s hand tightened around hers, his knuckles whitening. “Too busy for the man who’s going to give you everything?”
Amara pulled her hand free, her eyes narrowing. “I’ve never asked you for anything, Alessandro.”
His smile returned, but it was colder this time, cruel. “You may not have asked, but you’ll take it when the time comes. You and I both know that.”
Amara’s heart pounded in her chest, but she refused to let him control her. “Are you threatening me?”
Alessandro leaned in, his breath warm against her ear. “No sweetheart, just telling you, you’ll be mine soon.”
Amara stepped back, her voice sharp. “Will see when the time comes.”
Alessandro straightened, his eyes gleaming with dark amusement. “We’ll see, Amara. We’ll see.”
Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, her fists clenched, her heart racing.
She turned and caught sight of Rowan, leaning casually against the corner, watching her with an intensity that sent a wave of calm through her. For the first time that night, amidst the chaos, Amara felt something close to peace as she saw him.
There was a stillness in Rowan’s presence, a quiet strength that cut through the darkness swirling in her mind.
Amara walked toward him,. “You should be inside, enjoying the party,” she said quietly, standing before him. “Not here, hiding in the shadows.”
Rowan reached for her hand, his touch grounding. “What happened?” he asked, his voice low but firm. “Did he threaten you?”
Amara sighed, her fingers tightening around his. “No… I’m not some weak girl who can be threatened by Alessandro or anyone else.”
Rowan’s lips curled into a faint, approving smile. “Good girl,” he murmured. But his gaze lingered on her face, searching for something deeper.. perhaps the weight of the conversation she wasn’t sharing.
Without pressing further, he slipped a small box from his pocket and held it out to her.
Amara tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly. “What is this?” she asked, her tone carrying a hint of curiosity.
Rowan’s expression softened, a rare warmth seeping into his usually composed demeanor. “Your birthday gift.”
Amara’s brows knitted in confusion. “I thought the painting was my gift,” she said, thinking back to the elaborate artwork he had shown her earlier.
Rowan nodded. “It was,” he said with a quiet chuckle. “But this… this is another gift.”
With a slow, deliberate movement, Rowan opened the box.
Inside was a breathtaking diamond neckpiece, its brilliance catching the low light of the room. The diamonds sparkled like cold fire, each one meticulously placed in a pattern that was both elegant and bold.
Amara’s breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening at the sight. “It’s… beautiful,” she whispered, unable to tear her gaze from the necklace.
Rowan’s voice dropped to a soft murmur. “Not more than you.”
Amara felt a strange flutter in her chest….
She tore her eyes from the necklace and glanced at Rowan, his features bathed in shadows but his intensity unyielding. “Thank you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
“I think this will suit your dress,” Rowan remarked, his voice still holding that calm confidence.
Amara glanced down at her outfit.. the sleek lines of her dress, the dark hues and realized he was right.
The diamonds would be a perfect contrast, the touch of light her appearance needed.
She nodded, but hesitation flickered in her eyes.
She wasn’t sure why, but she felt vulnerable in that moment, standing in front of him as he offered her something so personal, so intimate.
Rowan noticed her moment of uncertainty, the way her fingers hesitated over the box.
Without a word, he stepped closer, his movements slow, deliberate. He took the necklace from the box, his fingers brushing against her skin as he placed it gently around her neck.
The cool touch of the diamonds sent a shiver down her spine, and for a moment, Amara couldn’t breathe.
His hands lingered near her collarbone, adjusting the clasp with a deftness that made the simple act of fastening jewelry feel like something far more significant.
His fingers grazed her skin lightly.
“There,” Rowan said quietly, stepping back just enough to meet her gaze. His eyes scanned her face, then dropped to the necklace, admiring how it glittered against her skin. “Perfect.”
Amara looked into his eyes, searching for the words to respond, but nothing came. There was something overwhelming about the way he was looking at her… something protective, yet possessive.
The way his presence filled the space between them, heavy and consuming, made her heart pound in a way that had nothing to do with fear.
“Thank you,” she said again, but this time her voice was softer, more fragile. It wasn’t just for the necklace.. it was for the strange sense of safety she felt with him, even amidst the chaos of their world.
Rowan’s gaze softened, but the intensity remained. “I told you,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I’ll always protect you. No matter what.”
Amara didn’t respond. She didn’t need to. The weight of his promise settled over her like an invisible cloak, one she knew she’d have to carry for as long as she was tangled in this web of power, violence, and deception.
For a moment, they stood there in silence, the distant murmur of the party fading into the background.
But then, as quickly as the moment had come, it was shattered by the distant sound of raised voices.. a commotion coming from the other side of the room. Amara turned her head, her body instinctively tensing, as she caught sight of Alessandro at the far end of the hall, his posture rigid, and her father stood by his side.
A flicker of something dark crossed Alessandro’s face.. something dangerous. Amara felt it like a chill in the air, a shift in the atmosphere that threatened to spiral out of control at any moment.
Amara looked at Rowan, “I should get inside.”
Rowan nodded and followed inside after a while.
Vincent caught Amara’s eye and gestured for her to join him.
Amara swallowed hard and made her way toward him, her pulse quickening with each step. The room seemed to grow quieter as she approached, the ambient noise fading into an almost eerie silence.
As soon as she reached his side, Vincent turned to the assembled crowd, his voice booming through the room, cutting through the tension like a blade. “Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please.”