story right here in the middle of the hall, where anyone could hear. “Why are you here?”
“We heard Castro was making a big public announcement. Xander wanted us to check out what he was up to. Gotta admit, I wasn’t expecting this.”
“Yeah. Believe it or not, I wasn’t expecting this either.”
Ivan looks shocked. “Oh, wow. Well, shit. Where is Zane?”
“Around here somewhere. I’m pretty sure he got into a fight after the big announcement.”
“Well, folks, I would like to stay and chat,” Roman announces, “but I think we should head out before dipshit gets back with a small army because he is too scared to fight his own battles.”
“Yeah, that might be a good idea,” I say, looking down the hallway to see if any of my father’s men have noticed I’m missing. Now would be the perfect time to disappear, but it’s not worth it, not after hearing we’ll be shot without warning if we try to leave the grounds.
“Take care,” Ivan says before turning to walk away. I watch them leave via the exit and then head back to the party to try and find Zane. Back in the main room, I scan the crowd. Alberto is sitting next to my father at the table. He’s glaring at me like he’d like to strangle me. I’m surprised he didn’t tell my father about Ivan and Roman, then again, I’m sure he doesn’t want me to tell my father about what he did either.
Not wanting to sit down with them again and endure more pretending, I head to the bar. As I walk through the crowd, I notice everybody staring at me as if they’re sizing me up or something. Some people actually look scared when I walk by them, making space for me to walk through.
The whole thing is surreal, and I feel nothing but out of place and misunderstood. I almost turn back around and walk back to the table out of desperation when I spot Zane at the bar. Knowing that I can’t make a scene, I take the seat next to him without looking over.
“Can I get a glass of water, please,” I ask the bartender whose attention I catch.
“Of course. Sparkling or still?”
“Sparkling sounds great.” I barely finish my order before he produces a glass and a small bottle of water in front of me. “Thank you.”
“No champagne to celebrate?” Zane whispers next to me.
“Stop it. You know that I don’t want this,” I say in a hushed voice, so only Zane can hear me. “Do you think I’m happy about this?” I ask and take a sip of my water.
Putting his elbow on the bar top, he lets his head fall into his hand. “I know, but that doesn’t make this any easier.”
“I’m going to ask Matteo to take us home. There we can talk.” I get up from my seat and weave through the crowd, back to our table.
Matteo and someone I don’t know, are deep in conversation when I get there. So, I tap my father lightly on the shoulder to get his attention.
He stops talking and looks up to see who dares to interrupt him. “Dove, you enjoying the party?”
“It’s a lovely party, thank you for planning all of this, but I’m rather tired, and I’d like to go home. Do you mind having someone take me back to the house?”
Alberto perks up next to him. “I can take you.”
“I would rather have someone less drunk take me home,” I insist.
“Of course, dear. Let me get someone for you.” Matteo smiles and waves over some of his men. “Take my daughter home,” he orders, and the men nod.
“Thank you, Father. Enjoy the rest of your night.” I force out the pleasant words when all I want to do is strangle this man with my own hands. I don’t care if he is my father or if we share blood. This man is pure evil, and I’ll do whatever it takes to stop him.
I follow the two men out of the main room and to the front door. By the time we make it to the car, Zane has caught up to us. We drive back to Matteo’s mansion in silence, not wanting to talk in front of the men, but I know this silence will be over once we are alone.
We park right in front of the house. I get out as soon as the car comes to a standstill. Zane follows me inside the house just as my father’s