Chapter 59- Election Day
Lucia The morning light spilled across our bedroom like liquid gold, catching on the Valentino gown laid out on our bed – a masterpiece in midnight blue silk that had been delivered yesterday specifically for this moment. Election day. The culmination of months of careful planning and precise
execution
I traced the intricate beading along the bodice, remembering similar mornings when such touches would have made me smile, thinking of Dante’s attention to detail. Now the perfectly chosen designer dress just feli like another prop in our elaborate performance.
“The polls opened twenty minutes ago.” Julia’s voice carried barely contained excitement as she breezed into the room, already picture–perfect in a cream Chanel suit. “Early turnout is exceeding expectations in kry districts.”
“Of course it is.” I managed a smile that felt almost natural as I stepped into the gown, letting her help with the complicated zipper. “Your brother never leaves anything to chance.”
“Speaking of my perfect planner of a brother…” Julia’s reflection in my vanity mirror carried knowing concem. “He asked about you this morning. Sad you’ve been distant lately.”
My hands stilled on my earrings – sapphires that matched the dress exactly, another example of Dante’s precise coordination. “Did he Between campaign events and transition planning, I wouldn’t think he’d notice,
“Lucia” Julia’s voice softened as she adjusted my dress’s train. “What’s really going on! Ever since you recovered from that fever..”
“Nothing’s going on. I kept my tone light as applied another cost of mascara, using makeup application as excuse to avoid her too–perceptive gaze.
Just red from all the campaign chaos. You know how it is.‘”
But my fingers trembled slightly as I reached for my lipstick – Chanel Rouge Allure in the exact shade Dante had once said brought out the fire in my eyes. Now it just felt like another carefully chosen derail in his rise to power.
“You’re not sleeping” It wasn’t a question Julu’s hands were gentle as she fixed my hair, adding another pin to secure the elegant updo. “I can see it in your face, even with Giorgio Armani’s best concealer.”
A laugh escaped me despite everything. “You Romano women and your scary attention to detail
“We notice things.” She met my eyes in the mirror. “Like how you’ve stopped wearing his favorite perfume. Or how you make sure to leave rooms before he enters them. Or how your sme doesn’t quite reach your eyes anymore when cameras capture the perfect political couple.”
My chest ughtened. “Juba…
“He notices too, you know.” Her fingers stilled in my hair. “Even if he doesn’t know hour in ask why.”
Because asking why would mean acknowledging feelings beyond careful arrangements. Would mean admitting this had become samething more complicated than contract terms could contai
The bedroom door opened again before I could respond, saving me from dangerous confessions.
“Car’s ready” Sofia appeared, resplendent in pale pink Alexander McQueen “The press is already gathering at campaign headquarters. And Dame’s driving everyone crazy with last–minute checks of everything
“Some things never change” I stood, smoothing invisible wrinkles from perfectly tailored silk. “Shall we go watch your brother make history?”
The visters exchanged looks heavy wills meaning I chose to ignore. Instead. I fnemed on gathering my chuch–Judith Leiber, custom–designed to match the dress exactly. Another piece in Dante’s perfectly coordinated rise to power.
Campaign headquarters hummed with carefully controlled clisos when we arrived. Staffers rushed between monitors displaying voting data while reporters set up equipment for whut everyone expected to be a historic victory speech. Through in all, Dante moved with that lethal grace that still made my pulse jump despite everything.
He looked devastating in Tom Ford – the dark sun highlighting every perfect line of his powerful frame while subtle blue accents matched my dres exactly. Always coordinated, always controlled, always ten steps ahead of everyone else.
His eyes found me instantly as we entered, that dark gaze still able to send heat earking through my veins even now. There you are, cara.” His hand seuled on my lower back with practiced possessiveness as cameras flashed. “I was starting to worry.
“Traffic. The lie came smoothly as I curved into his touch, playing my pan perfectly. “Though I’m sure you already knew that from the security
team’s updates.”
Something flickered in his eyes – hurt maybe, or frustration at my suhtle dig about his need to monitor everything that his political mask never shipped as more reporters approached, hungry for shots of the perfect couple on this historic day,
“Mr. Romanol How are you feeling about early turnout mumbers?”
“Any comment on exit pulling data from downtown districts?”
“Mr. Romano! That dress is stumming – souther gift from your husband!”
Dante handled each question with practiced charm while I maintained my camera–ready smile, letting him guide me through the crowed with that precise grace wed perfected over months of public appearances. Every gesture calculated, every response measured, every moment choreographed for maximum policial impact.
“You’re teme.” His voice dropped lower, meant for my cars only as we made our way toward his private officg. “Everything alright?”
Chapter 39 Election Day
“Perfect.” I kept my smile in place as more cameras flashed “Just like you planned.”
His fingers tightened slightly on my hip- the only sign my words had hit their mark. “Tucia…………
“Mr. Romano!” James appeared with perfect timing tables in hand. “They need you for the network interview. And the downtown precinct numbers Just came in..
“Go” I stepped away from his touch, maintaing my camera–ready expression. “Your public awaits.
Something dangerous flickered in his dark eyes, hun his political mask slid perfectly back imo place as he turned to follow James. I watched him go, noting how everyone in his orbit adjusted to his movements like plancis armunui a sum
The day passed in carefully managed moments – press appearances, voter turnout updates, preparation for the victory speech everyone knew was coming. Through it all, I played my role perfectly, smiling for cameras and giving just the right quotes about supporting my husband’s vision for the
dily
If anyone noticed how I made sure to keep other people between us, how I slipped away whenever he tried to get me alone, they were too professional to mention it
Finally, as sunset painted the city skyline in shades of possibility, the numbers becane official. Dante Romano would be the youngest mayor in city history–winning by margins that made even his careful planning seem almost humble in retrospect.
“Mrs. Romano!” Taylor appeared at my elbow as celebrations enipted around us. “They’re ready for the victory speech. Mr. Romano asked me to escon your to the stage.”
Of course he had. Everything choreographed, everything controlled, everything precisely as he’d planned.
The rear of the crowd was deafening as we emerged onto the hotel ballroom’s stage. Dame stood at the podum looking every inch the victor power and authority wrapped in perfect political polish. His smile showed just shar right mix of triumph and humility as he acknowledged his
supporters.
I moved to his side with practiced grace, letting him pull me close as cameras captured the historic moment. His hand settled possessively on my hip while Tourred in his warmil, playing the adoring wife with Oscar–worthy precision
“None of this would be possibile.” he was saying, voice carrying that smonth authority that courmanded attention, “without the unwavering support of my beautiful wife. Her strength, her pamnership, her dedication to our shared vision for this city—“
Each word felt like knives in my chest as I maintained my camera realy smile. Because once, Ed believed in that vision. Had thought we were building something real beneath all the careful performance.
His kiss, when it came, was perfectly calculated – just passionate enough to make headlines without seeming inappropriate for the occasion. His lips hummed against mine as cameras flashed, capturing what looked like a momem of gemine connection.
Only I felt how he teased when I didn’t melt into him the way I used in. How has fingers tightened slightly on my hip when I maintained careful distance even while pressing close for appearances.
The rest passed in a blur of carefully choreograplied celebration. Cumpagne flowed as the city’s elite offered congratulations. Dante worked the crowd with practiced charm while I maintained my position at his side, playing the perfect political wife until my cheeks ached from smiling
Finally, after what felt like year, we were alone in the back of his car as Taylor drove us home. The silence stretched between us, heavy with everything we weren’t saying.
“You did it ” I kept my voice light, professional. “Youngest mayor in city history. Just like you planned.“
“We did it.” He didn’t look up from his phone, probably already coordinating transition details. “Though you seem less than celebratory.”
“I thought we should mark the occasion properly.” I watched city lights bibir past, maintaining careful distance on the leather seat. “That battle of Lafite Rothschuld you’ve been saving? The ‘821
His fingers stilled on his phone. “You hate Bordeaux”
“But it’s your favorite.” I kept my tone pleasant, controlled. “And we should to your victory appropriately.
Something dangerous flickered in his eyes as he finally looked at me. “Should we?”
“Don’t you think we have things to discuss!” I met his gaze steadily. “Now that the election’s won, the transition secure…
Understanding dawned in his expression as the car pulled into our private gange. “Lucia..”
Inside.” I was already moving, heels clicking precise rhythm on concrete as I headed for the elevator. “This conversation requires wine.”
The penthouse felt different soonchow as we entered – like the space itsell knew something had shifted between us. Or maybe that was just my heart recognizing the end of careful pretense,
I moved to the wine room with practiced familiarity, finding the boule exactly where I knew it would be. Everything in Dante’s world had its proper place, after all. Even carefully arranged marriages designed for political convenience.
He watched me pour with predatory focus, thai dangerous grace coiled tight as he noted every detail. The slight tremor in my hands as 1 handled. the precious vintage. The careful distance I maintained even in our private space. The way I wouldn’t quite meet his eyes as I handed him his glass.
“To your victory” I raised my own glass, the deep red liquid catching light like blood. “Everything exactly as you planned.”
His eyes narrowed slightly at iny tone. “You’re angry.”
“Angry?” 1 laughed, but it held on humor. “Why would I be angry? The campaign was a success. The transition is secure. Your carefully plotted rise in power proceeding right on schedule.”
Chapter 39 Election Day
This isn’t about the campaign. He set down his glass, moving closer with that lethal grace that still made my pulse jump
“Don’t.” I stepped back, maintaining careful distance. “Don’t pretend you don’t know exactly what’s happening. You always know everything, don’t
you Always ten steps ahead, always perfectly in control….
{“Lucia.” Warning colored his voice now.
1007
