Page 79 of Nemesis
“We’re almost there,” our driver announced.
I quickly removed my hand, cowering. I clutched the purse on my lap to tamp down the impulse to touch him when our driver left the partition down.
My nerves intensified when the gala’s venue came into view, but I forced them down, focusing on the end goal.
Tonight, I’d kill Victor Morales and finally lay my parents to rest.
Once parked, Theo climbed out and rounded the car from behind to open my door. He held out his hand for me to take. I paused before placing it in his, his thumb brushing across my knuckles, goose bumps erupting all over my skin.
I quickly pulled my hand away, composing myself as I avoided his gaze and focused on the car behind us, watching Jaxon step out of the car and open the door for Victor.
Victor walked over to my side and slipped his arm around my waist, pulling me flush against his side. “This looks amazing,” he whispered in my ear before pressing a slight kiss to my cheek.
I muttered a small thank you, forcing myself not to look at Theo, but I couldfeelthe weight of his stare burning a hole in the side of my head. My chest tightened, remorse swelling in my chest, knowing he had to witness the gesture of affection and Victor’s hands all over me, even though I’d much rather have him at my side.
Focus, Sofia. Just one more night of pretending.
We walked up the red-carpeted stairs and into the metropolitan building I rented out for tonight’s event. The brown-bricked structure had skylights and floor-to-ceiling windows on the top floor. The venue was located in Bemes’s harbor district, right across from the port, making it the most convenient location to execute my plan.
We gave our name to the usher, and he quickly stepped to the side, sweeping his arm in front of him, motioning us inside. “Have a nice evening, Mr. and Mrs. Morales.”
Inside, the gallery hall served as a ballroom, where the main event took place. Crystal chandeliers were hanging from the massive ceiling, bright lights glaring down on the polished floor, staff carrying gold platters of hors d’oeuvres and champagne flutes.
Theo and Jaxon each took a stance on opposite sides of the room, while Victor zeroed in on some attendees. He brought me along as we went around the room, making small talk and enforcing ties with some of the donors and other society leeches.
It took everything in me not to glaze my eyes over during some of these conversations. Instead, I kept a charming smile on as I pretended to listen, nodding every now and then to seem engaged.
But eventually, the chatter in front of me faded away and my eyes surveyed the room, searching for him again. He’d changed position, now leaning against a wall in the far corner.
Although he was trying to blend into the decor, it was impossible to keep your eyes off him.
Transfixed, I took the rest of him in for the first time tonight. He was wearing a black suit with a black blazer and shirt, encasing his build. His pants were molding his strong thighs that just a few days ago were wrapped around my waist, pinning me down as he made me forget about all of this for a little while.
His gaze met mine, and his jaw ticked, his deep brown eyes aiming to peel back the layers I’d tried hiding from him. I tried to look away, but his gaze was too ensnaring, an invisible thread connecting us, and I couldn’t bring myself to break it.
Not until I felt Victor's firm hand around my waist, snapping me out of my daze and bringing me back to the conversation we’d been having with the mayor. Victor had kept me plastered to his side since the moment we’d walked in. Like he was afraid I might vanish.
I need a break.
I stuck by Victor’s side until thankfully a distraction presented itself in the form of the mayor’s wife, just in time for the start of tonight’s auction.
Menos mal.
“Apologies,” I said, placing a hand on his chest. “I’m just going to check on everything. I’ll be right back,” I finished, leaving them to their conversation.
Victor hummed in agreement, giving me a small, dismissing peck on the cheek, barely paying attention to what I just said as he kept his attention on the prestigious guests.
Gliding around the room, I weaved through the small groups, quickly making sure they were enjoying themselves, and made my way toward the large white French doors in the back, in dire need of some fresh air.
I grabbed a few canapés from the catering trays lining the tables on the way before pushing through the doors and walking across the long dark hallway. My red bottom heels clacked against the wooden floors as I headed toward the staircase at the end.
I stood at the bottom of the steps, peering down at myself, wishing I were dressed in a more comfortable attire to do this, but that would have obviously raised suspicions.
The long black dress I was wearing hugged every curve of my body, the squared neck transforming my modest cups into a more luscious pair. The slit baring most of my leg, stopped just shy above my thigh, black heels encasing my feet, giving my small frame a few extra inches.
Holding the side of my dress to prevent it from trailing on the ground, I hauled myself up the five stories. Once at the top, I made a right turn and walked a bit farther.
Large canvases and unused furniture lined the walls, white sheets covering them. The staff had used this part of the building as storage to make room for the event downstairs.
