Page 28 of Veil of Obsession

Romiro pulls Dom off me, while Eli turns to me.

“Andyou,” he spits out. “Go dance with your date or sit at the table. And stop acting like a fucking child.”

My grip tightens on my glass; I can feel it almost snap under the pressure. I down the drink before setting it on the bar with a thud and walking off. Dana’s smile is tight; she watches as I approach her.

I take her hand and say to the women she’s talking to, “Excuse me ladies. I’m stealing my date for a dance.”

I don’t wait for their response as I drag Dana onto the dance floor.

“What’s wrong?” she whispers under her breath as she smooths her palms over my back.

Leaning in close, I whisper, “Nothing. Just wanted to dance.”

She doesn’t argue, just like I expected when I asked her out. Dana’s a pretty girl. Big expressive eyes, plump pink lips, and an angelic demeanor. The exact opposite of my type.

Just as the dance is wrapping up, I feel it. That unmistakable feeling. The way it crawls up the back of my neck and settles into my bones like an unshakeable chill.

Someone’s watching me, and I know exactly who it is.

She’s here. My mouse came to play.

And she’ll get what she came for.

11

Princess

Iwatch him dance with her. Watch as she runs her filthy hands down his back, as if they belong there. Like she has a claim to it. I swirl my drink, debating on what I’ll do with her body.

Maybe I’ll cut her throat.

Hmm. No. Too messy.

Shoot her?

Taking a sip of the wine, I mull over that thought. No. Too loud.

The final notes of the live orchestra play, signaling the dance’s end. Lucio stiffens, his shoulders as straight as razor blades, his back rigid. He knows I’m here. Watching him.

He turns around, looking, searching. But he won’t know it’s me; I’m engaged in a conversation with my brother’s fiancée.

“We should go out for some fresh air,” I suggest to Riko.

She nods. “Sure, let’s go.”

The night air is crisp as we step onto the terrace, the scent of roses and cool stone mixing with the faint remnants of perfume and wine. The hum of conversation drifts from the ballroom,muffled through the tall glass doors, but out here, it’s quieter. Isolated.

Perfect.

I exhale slowly, letting my shoulders relax, though my pulse still thrums with something dark and hungry.

Lucio’s inside. Withher.

His hands on her. His breath brushing against her skin.

She may have his attention right now, but I’ll make sure she never has the chance to be in his presence again.

“So…” Riko says from beside me, sipping her wine. “How have you been, Princess?”