Chapter 3 - Blood on the Rose
The crystal chandeliers of the Grand Plaza ballroom glittered like diamonds suspended in the air, casting brilliant light over hundreds of elite socialites, corrupt politicians, and mafia royalty dressed in designer tuxedos and gowns. At the center of the massive room, every head turned as Roman Costa made his grand entrance. Beside him, dressed in an off-the-shoulder emerald silk gown that accentuated every delicate curve of her body, Norah took slow, graceful steps. A flawless diamond choker sparkled against her pale skin, and a seven-carat sapphire shone brightly on her left finger.
Roman walked with his hand resting firmly on the small of Norah's bare back, his touch blazing through the silk. Every time another syndicate boss greeted them, Roman's fingers curled possessively against her hip, sending a clear, unspoken warning to every predator in the room: she is mine.
"You're doing remarkably well, little bird," Roman murmured softly into her hair as they paused beside the champagne fountain. "Breathe. Nobody is going to question your place."
"I feel like a target," Norah whispered back through a practiced smile, her heart hammering wildly. "Every single person here has killed someone, haven't they?"
"Only the ones who matter," Roman responded with a low, dry chuckle that surprised her with its genuine warmth. For the first time, she saw a glimmer of humor beneath his ruthless armor, and a traitorous fluttering sensation blossomed in her chest.
Their brief moment was shattered when a tall, silver-haired man approached, flanked by two heavily armed guards. Viktor Vance, head of the rival Chicago syndicate, held a glass of dark red wine with a cruel smirk etched across his weathered face. "Roman. Word traveled that you finally brought a woman to the gathering. I must say, she is breathtakingly exquisite."
Viktor stepped dangerously close, his lecherous eyes sweeping down Norah’s figure. He reached out an arrogant hand, intending to brush the back of his fingers against Norah’s cheek. "Where have you been hiding such an angel, Costa?"
Before Viktor’s fingers could touch her skin, Roman moved with blinding, lethal speed. His hand shot out, seizing Viktor’s wrist in an iron vice grip that caused the older man’s face to pale instantly. The sickening sound of straining bones echoed faintly over the classical orchestra music.
"Touch her," Roman stated in a calm, lethal whisper that silenced the entire perimeter of the ballroom, "and I will cut your arm off at the shoulder and feed it to the stray dogs on your own docks."
"Roman, please, we are among guests," Viktor gritted through clenched teeth, sweat beading on his forehead as Roman’s grip tightened until the crystal glass slipped from Viktor's numb fingers, shattering on the polished marble.
"Then remember your manners in front of my future wife," Roman sneered, shoving Viktor backward into his bodyguards. The ballroom went deathly quiet, every eye glued to the open confrontation between the two most dangerous men in the city.
Roman turned his back on Viktor with complete disdain, wrapped his arm securely around Norah's waist, and escorted her toward the private terrace overlooking the dark city skyline. The cool night air hit her burning cheeks, but Norah could not stop staring at Roman. He had just threatened an all-out syndicate war over a single touch.
"Why did you do that?" Norah asked, her voice cracking in the quiet darkness of the terrace. "You put your empire at risk just because he tried to touch my face. That wasn't part of our business arrangement."
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Roman stepped close to the terrace railing, his jaw tight with unresolved fury. He looked at Norah, his eyes burning with an intense passion that terrified and captivated her in equal measure. "Nothing about you is just business, Norah. The moment I heard you laugh with that mechanic, I knew I was done playing games. You think you're a pawn? You are the only weakness I have ever allowed myself to possess."
Before she could process his words, Roman pulled her into his arms and crushed his mouth against hers in a fierce, breathless kiss that wiped away all fear, replacing it with an intoxicating fire.
