I introduced them. “Lucia, this is Dalia, my uncle Roman’s wife. You’ve…met him.” Shit. She’d met him five years ago on the day she’d signed the contract.

Luckily, she didn’t register and only gave a faint shake of her head.

“Lucia DeMarco, isn’t that right?”

Dalia could be a bitch but it only seemed to strengthen Lucia.

“Yes, that’s right. Lucia DeMarco,” she annunciated her last name slowly, standing up taller, her smile conquering, telling anyone who dared question that she would not be a victim.

I respected her for that, but it also made me worry. If my father saw her weak, if he thought she’d been broken, at least a little, he might lay off.

Dalia clearly wasn’t expecting Lucia’s response. “Well, lovely to meet you,” she managed before excusing herself.

“Be careful,” I whispered to Lucia. She gave me a cocky raising of the eyebrows.

“What do you mean? I was simply confirming that she was right.”

“Don’t make waves, Lucia. Once this night is over, you won’t have to see these people again.”

“Fuck these people.”

I squeezed her hand hard.

“Ow!”

My father’s guests turned to us as we moved through the room, not one even trying to hide their interest in Lucia. I let go of her hand to grab two glasses of champagne from a passing server.

“Drink,” I said, handing it to her.

She took it and swallowed a big gulp.

“We need to see my father. He’s waiting for us, I’m sure.”

She downed the glass.

“Be good. Do not antagonize him. Remember what we talked about.”

“Fine.”

My father stood at the end of the room beside the fireplace. I knew he’d seen us, but he didn’t let on and remained in a relaxed conversation with Roman and two other guests. But before we reached him, Dominic stepped into our path, his eyes hungrily sweeping over Lucia, making me wrap a hand around the back of her neck.

She was mine.

“Dominic,” I said.

He dragged his eyes away from Lucia, the glimmer of fun disappearing the moment they met mine.

“Salvatore.” He turned to Lucia again. “I don’t think I’ve formally met the beautiful Lucia DeMarco.”

Lucia shrunk into my hold. Dominic held out his hand to shake hers. It took her a moment, but she extended hers.

“Dominic,” Lucia said.

I don’t know why but I liked the fact that she didn’t say it was nice to meet him.

“Dad’s waiting for you. He’s peeved you’re late.”

He took a sip of his beer, his eyes still on Lucia, who looked around the room, defiantly meeting the eye of every man and woman who glanced her way.