Chapter 27 -Performance Art
Lucia “And now, the perfect accessory for the perfect political wife.” I fastened a string of flawless diamonds around my neck, admiring how they caught the light. “What do you think, darling?” I practiced my adoring smile in the mirror. “Are they ostentatious enough to convince everyone we’re madly in love **
My reflection starked hack at me, wrapped in a burgundy Valentino gown that probably cost more than most cars. The dress was masterpiece of strategic seduction–high neck in front for propriety, completely backless for scandal, with a slit that showed just enough leg to make conservatives chuch their pearls.
Perfect for tonight’s charity auction, where every society photographer would be unching for signs of trouble in paradise.
A knock at my door interupted my internal monologue. “Misa Valentini Mn, Chen’s voice carried through the wood. “Mr. Romano is waiting in the foyer.”
“Let him wait.” I called back sweetly “A lady must never appear too eager, isn’t that what his mother always says?”
Theard a muffled snort that Mrs. Chen would probably deny making. She’d developed a grudging appreciation for my little acts of rebellion against her perfectly controlled employer
I took my time with the finishing touches–a spritz of Clive Christim perfume (his favorite, though I’d never admit it), a final sweep of mascars, one last check that my updo showed off both the diamonds and the tading marks on my neck from nur last “argument.
When I finally descended the curved staircase, I found Date ectly where I expected–prowling the foyer like a caged predator in a perfectly
ailured Tom Ford tuxedo. The sigh of him still made my breath coch, damn him
He turned at the sound of my heels, his dark eyes making over me with an intensity that made my skin warm. “You’re line.”
“Am D” I poised halfway down, letting hun get the full effect. “I hadn’t noticed.”
at the venue.”
His jaw ticked that tell that meant he was controlling has temper. The photographers are already at
“Perfect” I continued my descent, enjoying how his gaze followed every movement. “They can capture our fachinally late entrance. So much more romantic than being boringly punctual, don’t you think?”
When I reached the bottom he caught my wrist, pulling me closer than strictly necessary.
1 smiled up him with calculated seeinen. Husband, just bring the perfect fiancee you wanted. See?” I pressed against him, lenting my lips brush his ear. I can even pretend I don’t hate you when the cameras are watching.
His fingers tightened on my hip. “Carefid,” he growled softly. “Ort might forget we’re fighting
“We’re not fighting ” I pulled back, straightening his bow the with deliberate precision “Fighting would require caring. This is just.. business.”
Something dangerous flickered in his eyes, but before he could respond, Taylor appeared at the door. “Car’s ready.
“Shall we?” Threaded my arm through Dante’s, the picture of devotion. “Time to show everyone how madly in love we are.
This smile held promise of retribution “After you re
The drive to the Metropolitan dusun was an exercise in creative tension. Every time we passed beneath a streetlight, I shifted slightly closer to Dante, lening my land rest on his thigh or my head lean against his shoulder. Then, in the darkness between lights, I’d pull away, maintaining careful
inches between us.
By the third cycle, I felt him practically vibrating with frustration.
“Having fun!” he asked his wine carrying that dangerous eder that usually preceded him pinning me again something
“Just practicing my wifely duties. I batted my eyelashes innocently, “Isn’t that what you wanted! A beautiful, devoted bride who knows her place!”
“What I want,” his hand caught my wandering fingers before they could retreat again, “is my fance to stop acting like a spoded brat.
“Careful, darling.” I smiled as camera flashes started appearing through the tinted windows. “We’re about to have an audience.”
Sure enough, the moment Taylor opened the car door, we were surrounded by photographen. Dante helped me out with perfect gallantry, his hand seuling possessively on my lower back in we posed for pictures.
“Mr. Ramanol Any comment on the recent rumors abour your relationship”
“Lucia! How do you respond to Mark Sullivan’s intervien?
I turned into Dante’s chest, letting him sheher me from the questions while I gazed up at him adorngly. “My love,” I said, loud enough for the nearest reporters to hear, “shall we go inside? All these Lashes are giving me a headache
His eyes promised payback even as he pressed a gentle kiss to my temple. “Ofenurse, tesoro. Anything for you
We made our entrance to appreciative numurs and not–so–subtle posting. The museum’s grand hall had been transformed for the auction, with priceless artifacts displayed between marble columns and champagne flowing freely,
“Daniel Lucia!” julia mashed over, resplendent in blue silk. Thank God you’re here. Everyone’s been asking about you
“Have they?” I pressed closer to Danic, playing the devoted fancće to perfection, “Good thing we’re so blissfully happy, ha’t in caro!
His hand tightened on my waist. “Tostatic, he agreed through clenched teeth.
Chapter 27–Performance Art
Jilia beamed, completely missing the undertones. “Oh, you riro are just perfect together! I was just selling the Thompson sisters how Dante couldn’t take his eyes off you at my wedding. Speaking of which–She grabbed my arms, pulling me may from Dante’s grip. “You have to come see the vintage Cartier pieces up for maction. Perfect for the wedding!”
Ihat Dante a triumpham smirk over my shoulder as his sister dragged the way. His expression promised revenge
The next hour was a masterclass in passive–aggressive performance an. Every time cameras turned our way, I transformed into the perfect society bride–touching Dante’s arm, laughing at his jokes, gazing at him with manufactured adoration. The moment the attention studied. T’d pull away. maintaining careful distance while keeping my snude firmly in place.
“You’re enjoying this,” he accused during a brief moment alone, his lips barely moving as wr
we examined a Ming vase.
“Enjoying what?” I tilted my head, making sure my demands caught the light. “Being the perfect political accessory you wanted!”
“Perfect is not the word I’d use right now.”
“No“” I spotted Miranda Chen approaching with her camera. “Quirk, darling, look at me like you can’t live without me“
His hand shot out, caching my chin red turning my face up to his. The bear in his eyes wasn’t entirely pretend “That рап
requires no acting
Before I could process than dangerous admission, he kissed me- -not the careful public kisses we agully shared, but something deeper, hungrier His free hand tangled in my hair, carefully mussing my perfect updo as his mouth daimed mine with devastating thoroughness.
Camera shumers clicked frantically scoured
When he finally palled back, I was breathless and fighting fury. “Was that necessary?” I hissed through my camera ready mile.
“Very.” His thumb brushed my now awullen lips. “You’re not the only one who can play games, cara.
“Ladies and gentlement” “The wictioneer’s voice our through the tension. If you’ll all take your sears, we’re ready to begin.”
The suction proceeded with the usual mix of social politics and conspicuous consumption. I made sure to touch Dante’s arm every time I wanted him to bid, playing the part of the spoiled flancée. He recalated by bidding on pieces I clearly hated, then presenting them as gifts of love.
By the time we reached the final lois, ie daccumulated a small fortune in ugly artifacts and enough photographic evidence of our perfect romance to fill a magazine
“And now,” the auctioneer announced, our final piece of the evening. A moning original photograph titled ‘Lost Light” by the acclaimed Mark
Sullivan.”
My blood ran cold as the piece was unveiled. It wasn’t the same photo from the gallery, but it was clearly part of the same series–me in profile, laughing at something off–camera, my Bee half–hidden by windblown hair
Dante we perfectly still beside me
“Bidding starts at fifty thousand dollars,” the auctioneer continued, i
- ob nous to the tension. “Do Ther
“One million” Dante’s voice cut through the room like a blade
Gaups and whispers enapted around us. Even the auctioneer seemed sunned.
“1. one million dollars from Mr. Romann. Do hear-
“One point five.” A new voice from the back of the room. I turned to see Jacob Chen, one of Dante’s biggest rivals, smirking from his table.
“Two million” Dante countered immediately.
My hand found his thigh under the table, squeezing baril enough to bruise. “Don’t you dare.” Thisted.
He envered my hand with his, but his eyes never left the photo. “Three million.”
“Five million.” Chen again, clearly enjoying the show.
The room had gone silent, all pretense of other conventions abandoned as everyone watched the power play unfold.
“Ten million “Dante’s voice was steel wrapped in sil
Tven Chen blanched or that
Ten million going once. The auctioneer was practically vibrating with excitement. “Going Brier… Soldi To Mr. Romano for ten million dolla
Applause erupted, but I barely heard it over the roaring in my ears. Ten million dollars. For a photo be intended to destroy.
“Danie—” I suried again, but he was already standing pulling me up with furn
“Time to go, cara.” His smile was pure predator, “We have some redecorating to discus.”
The drive home was silent, thick with temion and unspoken accusations. I waited until we were in the privacy of the penthouse before exploding
“Ten million dollars” ) rounded on him as soon as the clevator doors closed. “Have you completely lost your mind?”
“Worth every penny.” He loosened his bow tie with deadly calm. “To keep it out of Chen’s hands. To make sure no one else ever owns a piece of
you
“It’s a photograph” I threw up my hands in frustration. “Not a piece of my
“No?” He advanced on me slowly, hacking me against the wall. Then why did you tense every time someone looked at it? Why did your breath
each when it was unveiled“”
