Chapter 5 - The Glass Wall
My knees buckled. I stumbled backward, my hand flying to my chest as a wave of paralyzing panic slammed into me.
Ricardo’s arm immediately wrapped around my waist, catching me before I could fall. His grip was tight, lifting my weight effortlessly as he pulled me close against his side.
"Elena?" he murmured, his voice laced with sudden concern as he looked down at my pale face. "What is it? What's wrong?"
I couldn't speak. My mouth was dry, my heart hammering against my ribs like a trapped bird. I kept my eyes fixed on the man with the crow tattoo.
He was walking slowly toward us, stepping through the crowd of high-society guests with the confidence of a predator who had just found his missing prey.
"Ricardo!" the man called out, his voice smooth, deep, and deeply sinister. "Won't you introduce me to your beautiful new fiancée?"
Ricardo’s posture instantly went rigid. His arm around my waist tightened, his entire body hardening into pure steel.
"Victor," Ricardo said, his voice dropping into a register so cold it could freeze fire. "I didn't realize you were on the guest list tonight."
"A major announcement in the Moretti family? I wouldn't miss it for the world," Victor replied, stopping three feet away. He bowed his head politely, but his dark, piercing eyes were fixed entirely on my face. "I'm Victor Vance. A secondary consultant for the northern territories."
Victor stepped closer, extending his right hand toward me—the hand with the crow tattoo hidden beneath his cuff.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Elena," Victor said, his smile sharp as a razor. "You look... strikingly familiar. Have we met somewhere before? Perhaps in Boston?"
The room seemed to spin. I pulled my hand back, hiding it behind Ricardo's back, unable to breathe.
Before Victor could take another step, Ricardo stepped directly between us, completely blocking Victor's view of my face.
"She doesn't know you, Victor," Ricardo said softly, his tone carrying a promise of violence that made the surrounding guests step back. "And if you step one inch closer to my future wife, I'll have Frank throw you off the cliff behind my house."
Victor laughed, a dry, grating sound, and raised his hands in mock surrender. "Just making conversation, Ricardo. Congratulations on the engagement. She's a rare gem. Make sure you keep her very close."
Victor turned and disappeared into the crowded ballroom, disappearing into the shadows near the balcony.
Ricardo turned around instantly, gripping both of my shoulders. His eyes searched my face, full of intense, demanding focus.
"You know him," Ricardo stated, it wasn't a question. "You went pale the second you saw his face. Tell me the truth, Elena. Who is Victor Vance to you?"
"I... I can't," I gasped, tears burning the back of my eyes. "If he knows I'm here, he'll kill me. He'll kill Leo. I have to leave, Ricardo. I have to break our deal and leave New York tonight!"
Ricardo’s jaw locked. He grabbed my hand, dragging me smoothly past the staring guests, out of the grand ballroom, and straight into his private study.
May you like
He slammed the thick mahogany door, locked it, and pulled me toward his desk.
"You aren't going anywhere," Ricardo growled, his voice booming in the quiet room. "You wear my ring. You live under my roof. Nobody touches you while you are mine. Now tell me what happened five years ago in Boston!"
