Page 5 of Midnight Revelations

I straightened my dress, pursed my lips together, and checked my reflection in the ceiling to floor mirror along one wall of the room. Who needed a mirror this big?

My clutch bag contained my phone and a small purse with my swipe card for here in it. Francis would be close by if I needed anything else.

Papa waited for me in the living area with a glass of scotch in his hand. “There you are. You look beautiful tonight. There is someone I want you to meet.”

The last time he said that to Catarina, he had a “suitable husband” he wanted to introduce her to. She’d given him one look and left him standing talking to himself. What my sister needed was a man strong enough to tame her but patient enough to find the real woman who resided under the mask.

“Oh, is it someone involved in jewellery?” I innocently asked.

His frown told me that the person had no clue about jewels or precious metals. He held his arm out to me and I slipped my hand in at his elbow.

The banquet hall was already full when we arrived, which had been Papa’s plan because he always arrived after an event started so he didn’t have to loiter. He lifted two glasses from a passing waiter and handed me one. I hated champagne, but dutifully took a sip and swallowed my grimace.

I fell into the role he had trained me for, smiling politely and nodding in the appropriate places. Ash had shown me a different existence, one where I had a voice and an opinion. The rigid set of Papa’s shoulders told me he had spotted who he wanted to introduce me to.

The man was around six foot with dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes. He was attractive, but did nothing for me. There were no butterflies in my stomach, no pulse pounding in my ears. I smiled as Papa introduced us.

“Ivan, this is my youngest daughter Lucrezia.”

His dark gaze swept over me in appraisal. “You look familiar, but I’m not sure where from…” His voice trailed off.

A smile curved my lips. “My new jewellery collection was at the International Jewellery Show a few weeks ago and my picture appeared everywhere the next day.”

“A career woman,” he replied and let his gaze roam over me again. “Are they part of your collection?”

His fingertip touched my pendant that was nestled between my breasts and I fought the urge not to take a step back. His gesture was intimate and possessive, and I didn’t like it. Only one man had my permission to touch me like that.

“They are,” I said. “The design is part of my next collection. I tend to trial them on myself before they are put into production.”

“I would suggest you do not manhandle my daughter,” Papa said in a cold tone. “I have not agreed to anything yet.”

My heart sunk deep into my chest at his words. It implied that they were involved in negotiations and I wasn’t involved in those talks.

“Your daughter is very beautiful,” he said to Papa as if contemplating what offer to put on the table.

“And she is also standing right here,” I replied. “With a brain in her head and a career which means that she isn’t on the market and looking for a rich husband.”

I turned away with a smile and wandered over to the bar with the excuse of looking for a refill. Papa’s fury bored into me across the room. I didn’t need a stranger to find me attractive, I wanted the man I was in love with to tell me that he needed me.

My fingers gripped the edge of the counter, my heart hammering in my ears as fear spiked in my veins. Part of me had believed that Papa would keep me in that ivory tower forever and never let me go. Now I realised that he had been hunting for men rich enough to keep me safe. Considering that Ash was a player on his war board, he would probably be unsuitable.

The security officers moved in the shadows to watch over their charges. I noticed Francis speaking to a tall man and nodding. Should I take the opportunity to run and hide, or stay here on display for would-be suitors? The middle ground was a trip to the ladies’ room to allow me time to think.

I was wandering past an open doorway in the corridor when an arm slipped around my waist and a hand covered my mouth. My body was lifted and dragged into the room before it was slammed shut and I was physically pressed into the door. I tried to squirm to free myself, the image of Ivan making me fight harder.

“Keep wiggling your ass like that and my dick will insist on teaching you the art of anal sex.”

Every neuron and muscle in my body froze. My heartbeat sped up and those butterflies that refused to welcome anyone else fluttered desperately in my stomach. My tongue poked out and licked his fingers.

He groaned into my ear and I arched my back. “Miss me?” Ash growled, releasing my mouth.

“You have no fucking idea.”

He chuckled, his hands roaming over me in possession. “Is there a reason that some asshole is touching what belongs to me?”

I was trapped in his embrace, so all I could do was lean back into his strength. “Papa is playing matchmaker. Ivan is the latest contender.”

His lips trailed down the side of my throat and my head tilted to the side. “I’ll deal with the fucker later. Right now, I have another matter that needs my attention.”

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