it even harder because I had it for the briefest of moments?
Then we hear footsteps and I spin my glass in my hand nervously as I see Lucian Romano heading toward us looking dark, dangerous and devilish in a black dinner suit with a black silk shirt. His eyes are covered in the blackest of shade and his hair is cut short and makes him look even more menacing, if that’s possible. Tobias greets him and introduces him to Ana and I watch as he kisses her hand gallantly and then he turns to me and I feel the full force of his gaze as it enters my soul and strips it bare. He approaches me and lifts my hand to his lips, saying politely, “Sophia, you look beautiful.”
I smile and pull my hand away quickly, which doesn’t go unnoticed and his eyes glitter dangerously making me shiver inside.
Tobias clicks his fingers and the waiter approaches with a silver tray laden with champagne and we help ourselves and take our seats around an impressive dining table set up on the deck like the finest dining there is.
Ana looks at me sympathetically as I struggle to breathe. Her look is one of pity and I steel myself for what is coming. Surely, he wouldn’t - I thought Tobias was better than this.
As we eat, the conversation is of everything but business and Lucian appears relaxed in our company, despite being on a rival family’s yacht. I wonder why he’s here and have no appetite for any of the delicious food served to us because it turns to dust in my mouth as I await my fate.
Only when the brandy and cigars come out, does the air change and Ana start to look worried. Tobias looks at me with a thoughtful expression and then says loudly. “Lucian, we have business to discuss that won’t wait another minute. Have you brought the contracts?”
Lucian snaps his fingers and one of his men races over and thrusts an envelope in his hands. I think I hold my breath as he removes the papers and hands them to Tobias, who reads through them thoughtfully. We all sit like frozen ice sculptures as we wait for him to absorb the words and then he nods. “It all appears fine. I’ll have my lawyer check them over and sign and return them to you one week from today.”
Lucian appears pleased and says darkly, “And your end of the bargain?”
I feel them all stare at me and say roughly, “This had better not concern me.”
I narrow my eyes and Lucian looks at Tobias and nods. Tobias says in an even tone. “We will let Lucian explain.”
I feel them all watching me and struggle to breathe as Lucian says darkly, “I have struck a business deal with your brother for a share in your family business.”
I stare at Tobias in shock and he nods. “Our conversation got me thinking, Sophia and I began to see the sense of it. I contacted Lucian and we agreed on a mutually beneficial deal. As my sister, this of course involves you because you will also stand to benefit from it as part of my family.”
My mouth goes dry as I say in a whisper, “What’s the deal?”
“Marriage, Sophia, the same as it always was.”
I blink back the tears and say roughly, “No.”
Tobias looks surprised. “Maybe you should hear the details before making a rash statement.”
Lucian appears to be enjoying himself because he has the look of a hunter towering over the prey he just caught. He leans toward me and his breath fans the flames of anger as he whispers, “Nonna has decided she needs to see the next generation before she gets much older. She has instructed us all to provide her with it as a matter of urgency. That is why I am here, Sophia, to give her what she wants.”
“How could you?”
I stand and face my brother with fire in my eyes. “How dare you sign my life away as part of a business deal? I thought you were better than that, Tobias, but obviously not. Well, I won’t do it, do you hear me? I will not agree to anything you say.”
“Sophia.”
A soft voice from behind me stops me in my tracks and I spin around as if I’m seeing a ghost.
“Maverick?” I whisper his name as if he will disappear like a mirage, but he doesn’t. Instead, he moves toward me, looking so fierce it takes my breath