5. BENEATH THE MASK

The ballroom was silent as Alessandro Rossi’s question hung in the air. His fluent Italian rolled effortlessly off his tongue, and Ava could feel the weight of every pair of eyes on her. Her pulse raced, and for a fleeting moment, panic threatened to overwhelm her.

But then something clicked.

Damien’s gaze bore into her, his expression unreadable, though she could sense the tension radiating from him. Whether it was adrenaline or sheer determination, Ava suddenly found herself speaking.

She once had to learn Italian when her boss handed an Italian client over to her. The client had been a handful, and it was like a punishment, but she got through the pain, learned the language to a reasonable extent and was able to take care of the client. Who knew it would be helpful on a day like this?

Her words came out with confidence she didn’t know she had, her Italian flowing smoothly as she answered Rossi’s query. She gestured delicately, mimicking the poise and sophistication Damien had drilled into her.

Rossi raised his eyebrows in surprise, then smiled, nodding his approval. “Magnifico,” he said, offering a slow clap. “Your father must be very proud, Miss Moretti. He’s raised a remarkable daughter.”

The room erupted into polite applause, and Ava felt her knees wobble beneath her gown. She managed to maintain her composure, even as relief flooded her body.

Damien’s hand brushed her lower back, guiding her away from the crowd as the party resumed its hum of chatter. He didn’t say anything, but his touch lingered just long enough for her to know he had noticed.

****

The rest of the evening passed in a blur of forced smiles and carefully chosen words. Damien introduced Ava to more of his associates. Each interaction became a test of her ability to uphold the façade. By the time the last guest left, she was utterly exhausted.

As the door closed behind the final attendee, Damien turned to her. His expression was calm, almost indifferent, but Ava caught the flicker of something else in his eyes.

“You did well,” he said, his voice measured. “Better than I expected.”

“Thanks, I guess,” Ava replied, her tone sharper than she intended as she massaged her sore feet.

Damien’s gaze narrowed. “Don’t get too comfortable. Tonight was easy compared to what’s ahead. Rossi will report back to his network, and the scrutiny will only grow. One mistake, Ava, and the entire deal collapses.”

She bristled at his use of her real name, a reminder of the lie she was living. “I’m aware of what’s at stake, Damien. You don’t need to keep reminding me.”

“Good,” he said, his tone softening slightly. “Get some rest. Tomorrow, we plan our next move.”

Without waiting for her reply, Damien walked away, leaving her standing alone in the vast, exquisite living room.

***

Ava retreated to the lavish guest suite Damien had assigned to her, closing the door behind her with a shaky sigh. The room was stunning and far more luxurious than anything she had ever known. The king-sized bed was covered in silk sheets, and the windows offered a breathtaking view of the city skyline.

But none of it felt like home.

She sat on the edge of the bed, kicking off her heels and rubbing her sore feet properly. The events of the night replayed in her mind, each moment a reminder of how far she was from her old life. She thought of her father, his warm smile and reassuring words, and the tears she had been holding back all evening finally spilled over.

Ava curled up on the bed, clutching a pillow to her chest as sobs wracked her body. She had always been strong for her family, always the one to hold things together. But here, in Damien’s cold, glittering world, she felt small and lost.

She cried for what felt like hours, her tears soaking into the pillow. No one came to check on her, and she doubted anyone even noticed her absence. She was just another piece in Damien’s elaborate game, a pawn in his quest for power.

When exhaustion finally claimed her, Ava fell into a restless sleep, her dreams haunted by images of her parents bound and afraid and the unyielding gaze of Damien Cross.

*****

| Damien |

From his office, Damien stood by the window, sipping a glass of Bourbon as he stared out at the city lights. He replayed the events of the night in his mind, focusing on Ava’s unexpected response to Rossi’s challenge.

She had surprised him. He had fully expected her to falter, to crumble under the pressure, but instead, she had risen to the occasion with a grace and confidence that even he couldn’t ignore.

Damien smirked to himself. Perhaps there was more to Ava Hart than met the eye.

But he couldn’t afford to let his guard down. This arrangement was purely transactional, and emotions had no place in his carefully constructed world. Ava was a means to an end, nothing more.

And yet, as he drained the last of his Bourbon, he couldn’t shake the image of her standing beside him, her emerald dress shimmering under the chandeliers, her voice steady and strong as she held her ground.

With a sigh, Damien turned away from the window and returned to his desk. The real game was just beginning, and he intended to win.

****

| Ava |

The next morning, Ava woke to the sound of birds chirping outside the window. For a moment, she felt disoriented, the unfamiliar surroundings reminding her of where she was and what she had agreed to.

She sat up slowly, her body sore from the tension of the previous night. Her eyes were puffy from crying, and the ache in her chest hadn’t subsided.

A knock at the door startled her. “Miss Moretti,” a voice called. “Breakfast is served.”

“Thank you,” Ava replied, though she wasn’t hungry.

She dressed quickly, choosing a simple dress that Damien’s team had provided. As she made her way downstairs, she steeled herself for whatever awaited her.

Damien was already seated at the dining table, sipping coffee and scrolling through his phone. He looked up as she entered, his expression unreadable.

“Good morning,” he said casually.

“Morning,” Ava replied, taking a seat across from him.

“You look tired,” Damien observed.

Ava bristled. “I didn’t sleep well.”

“Get used to it,” he said, his tone cool. “This life isn’t for the faint of heart.”

Ava clenched her jaw, refusing to let him see how much his words stung. She picked at her breakfast, her appetite nonexistent.

“You impressed Rossi last night,” Damien said after a moment.

“Thanks,” Ava said flatly.

“But don’t let it go to your head,” he added. “One slip, and everything falls apart.”

Ava met his gaze, her frustration boiling over. “I know what’s at stake, Damien. You don’t need to keep reminding me.”

Damien raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her defiance. But instead of retaliating, he gave a slight nod. “Good. Then we move forward.”

Ava didn’t reply, her thoughts already racing ahead to what the day might bring. She had chosen this path to save her family, and she wouldn’t let Damien or anyone else make her doubt herself.

But as she stared at the man across the table, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she had stepped into a world far more dangerous than she could have ever imagined.

She couldn’t place her hand on it exactly, but she knew there was more to all that was happening.