Page 24 of Dario DeLuca

The Engagement of Dario DeLuca and Mia Gordon.

That is what it says, and while we knew this was coming, it’s real now. Mia is my bride, and now every elitist in the city will know it. The date is set for two days’ time, which is perfect because it gives Rafael time to finish his investigation. It’s the only way we’ll be in attendance. I need this union to solidify my place in the city’s government, but I won’t knowingly put her in harm’s way.

I hear Mia before I see her, her footsteps soft as whispers against the carpeted stairs. With my fingers still on the email, I look up, and there she stands, the sunlight washing over herand spilling into the room. In this unadorned moment, with Mia clad in casual clothes that cling to her curves, her hair a cascade of natural curls framing her face, I find myself unnerved by her beauty—simple yet profound.

"Okay, I'm dressed. Where are we going?" Her voice slices through the quiet, severing the thin thread of my composure.

Without a word, I move towards the door, opening it, a silent invitation for her to leave the sanctuary of these walls. She moves across the foyer at a snail’s pace, testing my patience. Our eyes meet, a fleeting connection charged with her disdain for me before she steps outside.

"What? Your right-hand man not coming along?" Her sarcasm contradicts the demure picture she painted only moments ago, reminding me that appearances deceive.

"Today is just me and you," I say as more of a declaration. It hangs between us, an invisible line drawn in the proverbial sand.

Mia hesitates, her chest rising with a breath that catches at my words. She slowly approaches the SUV, her defiance replaced with a subtle softness. I affect this woman, probably more than she cares to admit.

She’s convinced I’m the villain of her story, so when her body reacts to me in a way that is different from the words that come out of her mouth, it leaves her flustered and distressed. I can read her like a book, and the more time we spend together, the more in tune I become with her moods and reactions. She hates me for it, but I bet she hates it more because I’m aware of it.

Opening the passenger door, I wait, watching her approach. She climbs in, and the world narrows down to the space we share—the leather, the steel, the air mingling between us.

I close the door with a soft thud. Mia watches me, her eyes following as I round the vehicle, but the moment I open the door and climb behind the wheel, she faces ahead so that I don’tcatchher.

But it’s too late, Bella. I noticed.

“Can you at least tell me where you’re taking me?” she asks while I start the engine. “Or is questioning you forbidden?”

I glance at her. “You’re never forbidden from asking me anything.”

She shuffles in her seat, gearing up to ask me another question. I know what it’s going to be before she can even say it, but I allow her to anyway.

“Okay. Can you take me home?”

I smirk, reach for the gear shaft, and switch into drive. “Nice try, Bella.”

“Why do you call me Bella?” Mia stares at me, her eyes boring as if searching for some profound meaning behind the word.

When, in all actuality, it’s just simple. Straight and to the point.

“Because it’s fitting.” And with that, I drive off, leaving my estate behind us.

After a few hours,we pull up to our last destination for the evening, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m grateful. I grew up with a sister and mother who loved to shop, but they don’t have anything on Mia. Hell, a part of me thinks the damage she did to my pockets is retaliation for this whole keeping-her-against-her-will thing.

I exit the car, the rural area bustling with small-town life. People are out and about, shopping and enjoying each other’s company. Mia is out of the vehicle before I reach her side, stretching and fixing her clothes as she takes in the scenery.

“This is a cute little town. What’s a man… you know, like you doing here?”

“It’s safe and secluded. No one would think of looking for a man like me here.”

“Then why do you want that council seat so bad? You don’t even live in Chicago.”

“I have a condo in Chicago. That's where I was when your father told me you had the bright idea of running.”

“I wasn’t running. I was visiting my best friend.”

“And almost got yourself killed.”

Mia doesn’t respond. Instead, she sucks in a deep breath. The events of the other night, witnessing the murder of a man, still get to her. It’ll be a long time before she gets over it…if she gets over it.

Death tends to stick with you, especially when it’s as brutal as that was. I’d give anything to take that away from her, to keep her view of the world pure.

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