by Zavi James
Luc moved his kisses to my neck and up to my ear where he whispered, "We're going to be late, princess."
My eyes shot open and I looked at him. "You're not being serious."
"We can't turn up late," he told me.
"You... just..." I ached for him and he had just toyed with me.
"If we make it through tonight you can have whatever you want."
My frustration rose to the surface as I tried to pull my leg away from his hip, but Luc held it in place. I pushed at his chest. "Who says I'll want anything from you tonight?"
A smirk came to his face and his eyes darkened as the hand that held my leg traveled underneath the silk fabric. Times like these reminded me that Luc was a predatory creature. He had been raised to hunt and kill and I would forever be his prey. His fingers traced the edge of my lace underwear and I trembled at the touch. I let out a gasp as Luc's fingers dipped beneath the lace to brush against me.
"I told you you’re a terrible liar..."
He removed his hand and pecked me on the lips. I hit his chest again, and Luc let out a rumble of laughter before unpinning me and helping me straighten out my dress.
"Later. I promise," he told me.
Once we pulled up at the Moretti estate, a large cream house with sprawling grounds, Luc helped me out of the car. I had been in awe of Luc’s home when I had seen it, but the Moretti household was a mansion. A mansion that was filled with people who were all highly skilled and dangerous, and I had to hope that I wouldn’t cause an issue by saying the wrong thing. The thought made me fidget with my dress, but Luc took my hand in his, forcing me to stop.
"You're nervous," he said. It wasn’t a question but a statement.
"I can't help it." I had told myself it was just a party, but I knew it was more than that. It was a test to see if I fit with Luc and into his world. Judgement for how I moved and interacted among this circle would either cement a welcome or leave me as fodder for gossip about when Luc would leave me.
"I promise you; it'll be fine." Luc leaned down and kissed me.
"Put him down," Dante's voice sounded out. "You don't know where he's been."
We broke apart as Dante came up behind us. He clapped Luc on the shoulder and gave me a wink. "You look beautiful," he told me.
Luc scowled. "You better keep your eyes in your head."
"Are we heading in or hanging out here all night?" Dante asked, ignoring Luc's thinly veiled threat.
I looped my arm through Luc's and the three of us walked into the house. We were directed through to the ballroom where people milled around, and the hum of chatter was loud. Luc took his arm from me and placed it around my waist, keeping me close to his side.
"Wow," I breathed.
My eyes grew large as I took in the room. The room itself was large and ornate but the tables had been set out for dinner covered in fresh flowers and the lighting was dim with a purple hue. A band at the far end of the room played music that drifted across the vast space.
"This is..." I searched for a word.
"A bit much," Dante chimed in.
"Are you surprised?" Luc asked me.
They were a family of people who had money and liked to show it off. I shouldn’t have expected anything more than a party that could rival those in Hollywood blockbusters. It was just difficult at times to remind myself that this wasn’t a movie, this was my reality.
We mingled throughout the night. Luc tentatively introduced me to a few people and watched how I answered their questions with a smile. As Luc had thought, I gelled well with Emilio and Carmen Diaz. He was a stoic figure but Carmen, heavily pregnant, glowed with warmth and I felt like maybe I wouldn’t need to change in order to fit in.
"I'll be right back," I said as the couple left us.
"Woah, where do you think you're going?" Luc asked.
"I'm popping to the bathroom."
"Okay, I'll come with you."
"Luc," I said. "I'll be fine. Everyone seems nice enough." The nerves had left me now I had spoken to a few people.
Luc hesitated and then sighed. "Fine but then you are stuck to me like glue for the rest of the night, understand?"
I reached up and kissed his cheek. "I'll be right back."
Walking out of the ballroom and into the foyer, I took a deep breath. Tonight, hadn't been half as bad as I thought it would be. I’d spoken to many people who I’d now forgotten the names of, but they'd all seemed pleasant. All of them seemed pleased to see Luc had turned up to a social event.
"Taking a breather?"
I looked up to see a man with platinum blonde hair stood there watching me.
"It's a lot," I commented.
"I agree, but my sister and mother love it so we suffer for them," he said, walking towards me. "Gabriel Moretti." He held out his hand and kissed the back of mine when I gave it to him.
"Mia Griffin," I introduced myself.
"Mia," Gabe said, quirking an eyebrow. "So, you're the one who's been causing the trouble."
My mouth opened and closed as I tried to figure out what to say.
"I'm joking," Gabe told me with a half-smile. "I should be thanking you. It's been a while since Luc's come down to our neck of the woods. That and the fact no one's particularly sad to see Bianchi gone."
I nodded at him. I wasn't sure it was the brightest idea to be standing around talking to a Moretti without Luc’s guidance. "Um, any chance you could point me towards the bathroom?"
"I'll show you." Gabriel led me towards the stairs, and I walked with him. "Have you seen my father yet? He's eager to meet you."
"I've heard," I said, chewing on my bottom lip. “But I haven’t had the pleasure.”
"Don't sound so worried. He just likes to know what's going on in the family. It felt like Luc might have been hiding you from us."
Luc had been hiding me from everyone and everything for months, but he'd started to feel more confident about me being in his life. I wouldn't have been at the party if Luc thought I couldn't handle it.
"Word of advice," Gabriel said to me. "Stand your ground with him. He'll respect you a lot more for it than if you just give in." We stopped outside a door and he gave a mock bow. "I'll see you back down there, bella."
"Thank you, Gabriel."
"Call me Gabe."
He walked back down the corridor and I entered the bathroom thinking over what he had said. Standing my ground with Xavier Moretti wasn't exactly the way I’d thought of meeting him. Could I trust his son or was he just trying to stir the pot and see what would happen?
As I washed my hands at the sink, a woman walked into the room.
"Sorry," she said when she saw me.
"No. I was just leaving," I told her.
The woman was struggling to untangle her long brunette hair from the dangling earrings she wore. I dried my hands and moved closer. "Would you like some help?" I asked.
"Would you?"
She released the tangle from her grip, and I worked my fingers through her hair, carefully pulling it apart from the metal.
"Thank you so much," she said, flashing me a smile.
"I'm Mia."
"Vittoria. Tori. My stupid brother messed with my hair," she huffed. Her eyes then landed on my neck. "Is that a Harry Winston?" Vittoria gestured to the choker.
I gave an embarrassed shrug. "I don't really know."
Vittoria smoothed down her hair and I helped, placing it back where it should be. Suddenly, she caught my hand in a gentle grasp and looked at the bracelet that hung there.
"Wow," she said with a raised brow as she inspected it and I felt uncomfortable.
"It was a gift," I told her, going red.
"Obviously but he may as well have gotten you an engagement ring."
"I'm sorry?" I blinked, feeling out of my depth with the conversation.
"That's a Cartier love bracelet."
My face remained blank. I knew of the brand, but Vittoria had said it as if it should mean something to me. It looked
like it would be more fitting on her wrist, teamed with the elegant gold gown that hugged her body.
"That right there," Vittoria told me with a laugh, tapping on the bracelet. "Is a big statement that you belong to someone and that it's for life. Not cheap and a little on the possessive side but shouldn’t expect anything less from the boys downstairs."
My face burned at the statement and Vittoria grinned at me. We made our way out of the bathroom together and walked back into the ballroom. Of all the women I had met tonight, aside from Carmen, Vittoria seemed the warmest, although as we walked, I noticed how people gave her a wide berth.
"What do you think of the decor?" Tori asked me.
"It's beautiful," I told her. "I've never seen anything like it if I'm honest."
The band was still playing, and people had finished dinner and filled the floor with drinks in hand.
"Now tell me, who is showering you with such affection?" Tori asked me, bumping a shoulder against mine.
My eyes scanned the room to find Lucas standing a little way off against the wall with Dante, Gabriel and an older man who sported a head of slicked silver hair.
"Which one?" Tori asked, following my line of sight.
"Lucas," I told her quietly.
A smile appeared on Tori's face and for a moment I wondered what her reaction would have been if I’d said someone else's name.
"We best get you back to him," Tori said. "He looks like he could do with some saving from Papa."
We weaved our way through the crowd, arms linked, until we joined the men as I processed that this was Xavier's daughter and Gabriel's sister. Luc may have joked when he said I managed to find trouble but maybe he had a point.
"Mia," Luc said as he saw us approaching. "Vittoria?"
"Hello, Lucas. Long time, no see."
Luc hugged and kissed her cheek before pulling me to him. I had the feeling that he regretted the decision to leave me alone when I had bumped into two Morettis in record time.
"Gabe was just saying that he's taking over from Bianchi. You're both going to be moving?" Luc asked her.
"Who else would keep my brother in line?"
"Tori." Dante's face lit up. He opened his arms expecting a hug and instead she brought her foot up and drove her heel into Dante's foot, making me gasp. He yelped and stepped back. Gabriel snickered and I watched in quiet horror as she left the group and Dante limped after her.
"I apologize for my daughter's behavior. She has never been one to suffer fools."
I turned my attention towards Xavier, and Luc pulled me tighter into his side, making clear who I was to him.
"So, this is the girl who's been causing the trouble."
He held out his hand to me and I took it. Xavier kissed the back and as I turned to look at Luc, his cold, slender fingers caught my chin roughly and forced me to look back at him. Luc took a step forward and I felt him beside me.
"Now, now, Lucas," Xavier soothed. "That was the attitude that could have gotten you into a mess in the first place."
A quick glance alerted me to the fact Luc’s hands had balled into fists. From all I knew, this was not the person to start a fight with.
"Xavier Moretti,” he introduced himself and I looked back into his icy blue eyes. “And you are?"
"Mia Griffin."
"Luc, I'm sure you won't mind if I take Mia for a dance."
When I looked back at Luc, panicked by Xavier’s offer, I noticed that it wasn’t mirrored on his own face. This was not an offer, but a demand veiled as a suggestion and Luc wouldn’t have a choice. He gave me a reassuring look before he answered, "Of course not."
"Dad, surely..." Gabriel started.
"Do you have an issue, Gabriel?" Xavier asked. His tone caused the hairs on the back of my neck to stand.
"No, sir."
Xavier took my hand and walked me away from the group, Luc's eyes following us until we were swallowed by the crowd.
"It's so nice to finally put a face to the name," Xavier said as we reached the middle of the floor.
"Likewise."
"Now, I understand this isn't typically the company you keep."
I swallowed and shook my head slowly. I stuck out like a sore thumb. With Luc by my side, I had been doing okay. Any point where I felt like I was drowning Luc stepped in to save me but on my own, with Xavier, I felt like I was barely treading water.
"That's fine, my dear. I want to ensure you don't plan to cause any more problems."
"In all fairness, sir—"
He cut across my sentence. "Call me Xavier."
"In all fairness, Xavier," I started again. "I didn't plan to cause any problems in the first place." My voice was quiet and carried just above the music.
Xavier offered me a smile but there was no warmth behind it. "Oh, I don't doubt that. Marco never knew when to quit. If it hadn't had been Lucas it would have been someone else. Most likely myself."
The statement was so matter of fact that I felt the goosebumps on my skin.
"You're joining a very large family, Mia." He referred to everyone in the room. "I'm making sure that you understand that you will always have these ties. Even if you choose to leave."
I thought about Maria and how when I sat and asked her questions she spoke of her friends, some of whom I had met today.
"Loyalty means a great deal to us," Xavier told me. "Charlie and Maria are well respected here. Luc may be finding his feet still, but I'd hate to see him tarnish his legacy because of you."
I knew what he meant. I had made a choice to be here and to be with Luc. What was expected in return was for me to stay loyal to the organization. Even if I chose to walk away, I would need to keep my mouth shut. Xavier was warning me that Luc had a job and there were rules and I wasn't to be the reason Luc started breaking through things that had been set out for years.
"You have my loyalty, Xavier," I assured him. "I won't tarnish his reputation. He's well aware of the decisions he makes and so am I. I plan to make sure those decisions are smart ones."
Xavier regarded me for a moment and then a smile came to his face, not quite reaching his eyes. "I'm glad to hear it, considering I see that so many people have taken a shine to you, including my son and daughter."
He stopped and looked over his shoulder and when I turned my head, I saw Luc standing there. "I'd like to take her back now."
"Thank you for your time, Mia," Xavier said. "I look forward to seeing more of you. I'm almost certain our paths will cross. Luc has no excuse to avoid Emilia’s parties now." He kissed my hand before melting into the crowd.
Luc pulled me into him more forcefully than he had all night.
"Is everything okay?" I asked him.
"Are you?" he asked in return. One of his hands came up and cupped my face.
"I'm fine, love," I leaned into his touch, so much warmer than Xavier’s.
"What did he say?"
"Nothing much, Luc. I think he just wanted to make sure I was doing right by you."
Luc seemed surprised by the answer but didn't comment. "Let's dance."
The clock crept closer to midnight as Luc and I stayed tangled in each other, only fielding the occasional greeting with people. The countdown began and Luc looked down at me. "I love you, Mia."
"I love you too, Lucas."
"I'm going to make sure this year is the best you've had."
I thought about Dad, Stefan and Maria. I thought about how things that felt out of my control and made me sick with anxiety felt manageable with Luc.
"As long as I have you," I told him.
The countdown hit one and Luc wasted no time pressing his lips to mine as the room erupted into cheers with people ushering in the new year. With Luc, I’d make sure this year was one to remember.
Chapter Fifty
Lucas
Life had taken an unexpected turn since I had met Mia. I was surprised to see Xavier had welcomed her so easily, and of course Mia had managed to befriend Vittoria and Gabriel. She had
a knack for putting herself in positions that I tried to help her avoid.
She still hadn't spoken to her father and I was doing everything I could to make her feel like things would be okay eventually. There were plenty of people around her that loved her, but I knew it wasn't the same. I’d even relented to her requests for a pet and so we had become parents to a German shepherd pup, in order to give her a small fleck of happiness.
"Mia, love," I said. "I think you need to go and speak to him."
She sighed and shifted against me. We were sitting in the living room watching one of the Harry Potter movies. It had been Mia's night to decide.
"I know," she said. "I just don't know what to say to him, Luc."
"Maybe you need to stop thinking about it and start with something."
"He called you sick."
"I've been called worse," I reminded her. Sick was relatively tame. We both knew some of the things I had done and would continue to do.
"You love him, Mia. He's your Dad and you need to sort it out with him. You're going to talk to him this week."
"Luc," Mia whined. She avoided anything that made her uncomfortable, but the longer this went on the more I worried the damage would become irreparable and I knew Mia wouldn’t be able to live with herself if that happened.
"End of discussion," I told her firmly. "One of you needs to start that conversation and it's obviously not going to be him."
She let out another sigh before clapping her hands down at the puppy, who looked up at her. "Come here, Cerb. Come on, boy."
I had let Mia name their new addition and naturally, she had chosen Cerberus. A hellhound. Hades dog. Cerberus hopped up onto her lap and sprawled out across both our legs. Mia scratched between his ears and watched as Cerb's tongue popped out. Dopey mutt was almost as obsessed with her as I was.
"I'll go see him," Mia said quietly.
"You'll feel better once you do."
Later that week, I told Mia that I would be home late, and with her preoccupied with the Moretti twins she didn't ask many questions. I worried less when I knew Mia was in their company. Gabe wasn't an idiot and would be able to protect them if anything happened. That and the fact she had settled in with a family whose name carried a lot of weight had elevated Mia in the opinion of people who had yet to meet her.