Page 42 of Broken Vows

"Of course. Legitimate." Alessandro's smile doesn't reach his eyes. "Perhaps we could arrange a meeting. Soon."

"Perhaps." Vincent's non-answer is an art form.

Maya steps closer to me, her voice dropping to sister-soft. "You look radiant, Mel. Engagement suits you."

"Thank you." I study her face, looking for tells. "You look stunning yourself. Black is definitely your color."

"I've always preferred dramatic choices." She glances meaningfully between Vincent and Alessandro. "Life's too short for safe decisions."

Before I can respond, the evening's host approaches with a microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention for just a moment."

The crowd quiets, all eyes turning toward us. My stomach clenches as I realize what's coming.

"We're gathered tonight not just to support the arts, but to celebrate new beginnings. Vincent Russo and Melinda Mastroni have honored us by choosing to announce their engagement here tonight."

Applause erupts around us. Camera flashes explode like gunfire, and I force my smile to remain steady. Vincent's arm tightens around me, pulling me closer for the photographers.

"To Vincent and Melinda!" someone shouts, and glasses raise throughout the room.

"Speech!" another voice calls out.

Vincent steps forward slightly, his media training evident. "Thank you all for sharing this moment with us. Melinda and I are looking forward to building our future together." His words are perfectly chosen—intimate enough to seem personal, vague enough to mean nothing.

More applause. More pictures. I feel like a butterfly pinned to a board, displayed for everyone to examine.

"Beautiful couple," Alessandro murmurs to Maya, loud enough for us to hear. "Such an... interesting combination of families."

Maya's laugh has an edge. "The most interesting combinations often produce the most powerful results."

The crowd begins to disperse, returning to conversations and cocktails. Vincent guides me toward a quieter corner, but I can feel eyes following us—as if everyone is trying to sniff out the lie, catch us saying the wrong thing..

"That went well," I say dryly.

"Better than expected. No one tried to kill us."

"The night's still young."

His hand finds mine, fingers intertwining in a gesture that looks romantic but feels like claiming. "Ready to get out of here?"

I nod, suddenly exhausted by the performance. We make our polite goodbyes, accept congratulations, and promise to lunch with people we'll probably never see again. By the time we reach the car, my face hurts from smiling.

The drive to Vincent's penthouse is quiet, both of us processing the evening. The city streams past in a blur of lights and shadows, beautiful and dangerous in equal measure.

"Alessandro's interested in more than trade opportunities," I say finally.

"I know. The question is whether Maya's working with him or using him."

"With Maya, it's always both."

Vincent's penthouse feels good after the crowd and cameras. I kick off my heels immediately, flexing my feet against marble that's cool and smooth.

The penthouse is dimly lit, the soft glow from recessed lighting casting long shadows on the gleaming floor. Somewhere outside, the city pulses, oblivious to the shift happening between the two of us now that the ballroom masks are off.

I lean against the cold marble island, letting the silence close in around us—thick with expectation, unspoken need crackling in the air.

My dress clings to me in all the right places, and Vincent hasn't stopped looking at me since we stepped inside.

Not with curiosity.