013

Caterina.

Ten whole minutes.

I stood frozen for ten whole minutes just staring at the silk and the lace creation that had been draped over the chair in my room.

It was a dress...

Could it even be called that?

A scandalous, provocative red dress that looked like it had been designed with sin in mind. The deep plunging neckline, the dangerously high slit running up the thigh, the sheer panels that barely left anything to the imagination.

This was a masterpiece for temptation and degradation.

Oh, how I wished Luca was here so I could strangle the living daylights out of him.

This was his stupid way of controlling me, of forcing me to play whatever twisted game he had planned for tonight. I couldn't help but curl my fingers into fists as the overwhelming urge to rip the dress apart surged through me.

Ohhhh... I could see his reaction now. The nasty smirk, the amused glint in his dark eyes, the way he would love knowing I lost control because of him.

No.

I wouldn't... couldn't give him the satisfaction.

One steadying breath, and I found myself picking the dress up and walking to the mirror. If I had to wear this, I would do it on my terms.

Never would I be Luca’s victim when I could be a weapon.

It took me two hours, but the transformation could not be denied. My hair was swept up into a sleek, elegant style, delicate tendrils framing my face.

When it came to my makeup, all I could say was thank you to my late mama and to Luca for leaving makeup products in the dresser. My makeup was flawless... deep red lips, smoky eyes, sharp cheekbones.

Every inch of me screamed confidence, danger, and allure.

When Luca arrived at my door, his reaction was exactly what I wanted.

He didn't speak at first, just ran those dark eyes over me from head to toe, slow and deliberate. A flicker of something crossed his face... approval, possession, maybe even awe... before it was gone, replaced with that usual arrogance.

“You clean up well, amorino.” His voice was lazy, but there was a roughness to it, like he had swallowed something sharp.

I let my lips relax into a smirk, feigning indifference as I grabbed my clutch.

"Let's just get this over with."

***

I had hoped... no, I just wanted us to go in different cars.

This atmosphere here was tense, the air thick with the words left unspoken between us. I even sat so stiffly, legs crossed, hands folded in my lap, as I pretended I couldn't feel Luca's eyes on me.

"This isn't your usual look," he murmured with a far from amused tone.

I didn't bother turning to give him a response. "You put me in this dress. You don't get to comment on how I decide to wear it."

He chuckled, the sound so low and dark.

"Oh, but I do. I had a feeling you'd play the part of a seductress in red, but this..." he let out a quiet, appreciative hum. "This is something else. Might add a few guys to my kill list tonight."

"You're..."

I didn't get a chance to say the rest of that sentence. Not when he stopped it with a single brush of his hand against my knee.

It was featherlight, barely noticeable, but so teasing.

Slap it away!

Hit him!

My mind whispered every single piece of advice in the book, but I didn't move. The tension in the small space we shared seemed to stretch even further, taut and electric, until I almost... almost... turned toward him.

Maybe just a little...

I was so close to him now, my lips a breath away from his...

No.

I yanked myself back, turning my face toward the window.

And the asshole had the audacity to chuckle again, as if he knew exactly what I had just passed through.

Men!

We didn't speak again until we arrived at the party, which was already in full swing. The moment I stepped out of the car, I didn't need to strain to hear the whispers.

"... that's her, right? Alessandro’s fiancee?"

"She certainly wasted no time to glue herself to him."

"God, what a slut. Did she even try to leave?"

They didn't even know the full story.

My jaw tightened as we walked further. I had expected the rumours, but hearing them still sent a slow burn through my veins.

It didn't help that Luca insisted to place his stupid hand possessively on my waist, guiding me through the crowd as if I belonged to him.

As if I were his trophy to display.

This was precisely why he had brought me here. He enjoyed this. The attention. The gossip. The power it gave him over me.

To the extent that it felt like I was the one who had the debt.

I hated it.

Hated him.

But did I let that show? No.

Instead, I lifted my chin, plastered on my best smile, and walked as if I owned the room. If they were going to talk, then maybe I should give them something to talk about.

We had barely talked for more than a few minutes to one of Luca's acquaintances when the tone of the party changed.

Alessandro was here.

And he wasn’t alone.

There was a woman beside him who was all shade of stunning–graceful, poised, everything the world expected from a man like him.

Someone elegant.

Someone he wouldn't use as an object to be traded with a twisted man.

My stomach twisted.

I didn't love him. I never had. But the fact that he had replaced me so quickly, so effortlessly, sent a sharp sting through my chest.

Was he dating her when we were together?

"Calm down, amorino." Luca whispered, making sure his grip on my waist tightened slightly.

When I turned to look at him, he was watching me with an unreadable expression.

Fuck this! I needed a drink.

The first drink burned.

The second went down smoother.

By the third, I was warm, loose, and past the point of caring.

Luca leaned against the bar beside me, watching with obvious amusement as I emptied another glass.

"Careful, amorino. You might do something you regret."

I turned to him, a slow smirk curling my lips. "Regret?" I ran a finger along the rim of my glass, tilting my head. "I don't think I know what that means."

His eyes darkened. “Is that so?”

Yes.

I leaned in, close enough that I could feel his breath against my cheek. "Mmhmm." My fingers found its way to his chest, trailing lightly over it in a playful way... I hoped it was playful anyway. "Why? Are you worried about me?"

Luca chuckled... he seemed to be doing that all the time now... but the sound was lower this time, almost in a dangerous way. "Not in the slightest."

Oh, fuck this.

No one cared anyway.

I planted my lips against his. Right there, in front of everyone.

It was reckless and desperate and fueled by alcohol and spite. And yet, the second our lips met, a fire ignited between us that turned so fiercely and consuming.

My fingers found his hair, and I tugged on it, deepening the kiss...

"Amori..." Luca moaned in my mouth.

And like a stupid spell, I opened my eyes and saw Alessandro watching.

Good.

I pulled away immediately, breathless, triumphant.

“Well, well. Didn’t expect that.”

I swayed slightly, my body buzzing with liquid courage.

"Take me to your room in this place." I whispered, shouted. I didn't care.

Luca, on the other hand, seemed like he did because he didn't give me the reaction I expected.

"Be careful what you ask for, Caterina."