Seraphina's POV
The trip to the place was quiet and uncomfortable.
Ranon looked straight ahead as he drove, with one hand on the steering wheel and the other resting like it was nothing, as if I wasn't feeling completely out of place. I kept thinking about that kiss, the warmth of his tongue on mine, the strong feeling I got, and how my hands shook when I pushed him away.
Like I didn't want him to go away, rather to hold me more and continue.
I didn't like it.
I did like it.
I didn't like that, I liked it.
My mind was a mess. Torn between the almost unforgettable kiss and the person who had me locked.
When we finally arrived at the Salvatore property, I knew right away that I was out of my league. Like the place wasn't for me.
Tall stone-like posts held up a big house that seemed more like a throne made of old wealth and family history than just a normal home.
Fancy cars filled the driveway. Armed security stood at every corner. Women in dresses I had only ever seen in magazines walked by the entrance. Men in expensive suits greeted each other with careful smiles that didn't entirely say they respected each other.
My heart skipped a bit, each time my eyes went from each man and woman to the amazing structure.
"This is… a lot," I whispered, trying not to grab onto Ranon's sleeve like a little kid.
"Not really," he said, calm. "Just another event."
Maybe for him. But for me, this was like going into a place where everyone knew the rules except for the new girl who had been forced into this life.
I hated that feeling.
Inside, the ballroom sparkled with bright chandeliers. The music was slow, fancy, and even at some point misleading.
Servers walked around with trays of wine and champagne. People looked at us, no, at him, and then glanced at me with very obvious curiosity.
Some seemed impressed.
Some seemed confused.
Some looked like they were figuring out how quickly they could kill me if they needed to.
I swallowed hard.
"Stay close," Ranon said.
"I don't plan on leaving your side," I mumbled, basically stuck to him. It seemed he like the way I said, but I shrugged as that was the least of my concerns.
We moved through the crowd, saying hello to allies, nodding to other families, and noticing the ones who watched us too closely. I tried to breathe normally and act like I belonged there. I kept my hands together in front of me to hide that they were shaking.
Then someone stepped in front of us.
Tall.
Attractive in a dangerous, smooth way.
Dark hair, a strong jawline, and eyes that seemed too calculating for someone with such an easy smile.
"Ranon Vescari," he said slowly. "You finally came."
Ranon became tense next to me. "Lorenzo."
Lorenzo Salvatore.
The host.
And from the way people moved out of his way when he showed up, he was someone with power as great as or maybe even greater than Ranon's.
"And this," Lorenzo went on, turning to look at me with interest that felt smooth but dangerous, "must be your… friend?"
His eyes didn't look at me the wrong way. No. He studied me like he was trying to solve a puzzle, or like I was a chance.
"I'm Seraphina," I said, trying not to feel small under his stare.
"Beautiful name," he said nicely, still looking at me. "And brave of you to come here with Ranon. This world is harsh."
"That's true for both of us," I replied without thinking.
Ranon gave me a look that was half warning and half impressed.
Lorenzo chuckled. "Smart, too. Interesting."
I blushed, but I kept my head up high. If I showed any sign of weakness, I would be destroyed.
We kept walking, but I could feel Lorenzo watching me even after we passed him. I moved without thinking to get closer to Ranon.
At least with him, even when he made me mad, I knew what to expect.
A few minutes later, a man came up to Ranon and whispered something to him quietly. Ranon's face turned dark.
"What is it?" I asked quietly.
"I need to go into a private room. It's about business."
I blinked my eyes. "How long will you be?"
"Not long at all. Stay right here. Don't go anywhere with anyone else."
My heart started to beat fast. "I don't Ranon, I shouldn't "
"You'll be okay," he said, briefly touching my arm like he was trying to calm me down. "I'll be back soon."
Before I could say anything, he walked away with the messenger toward a hallway with guards and disappeared.
My heart dropped.
Great.
All alone.
At a mafia event.
Surrounded by people who looked like they'd murder before eating breakfast.
I tried to stand still, be quiet, and not be noticed, but that was impossible when everyone was staring and whispering.
I put my arms around myself and looked at the entrance Ranon went through, wishing he would come back.
No such luck.
"You look like you're lost," a smooth voice said next to me.
I turned around quickly.
Lorenzo Salvatore was standing there, not trying to hide that he'd been watching me.
Great.
"I'm not lost," I said. "I'm just waiting."
He smiled a little. "Not many people wait alone in a place like this. That's admirable… or silly."
"I'm thinking it's silly," I mumbled quietly.
He seemed even more amused. "So honest. That's nice."
He took a step closer, not in a scary way, but with a confidence that changed the atmosphere around him.
"The Vescari family doesn't usually bring outsiders to events," he said. "Especially not women who seem like they still believe in fairy tales."
I started to speak. "I don't "
"And yet," he continued, not letting me defend myself, "here you are. Beautiful, nervous, and trying to act like you're not."
I tensed up. "I'm not nervous."
"Of course not," he said casually. "You're shaking because you're cold."
I took a breath. He noticed that?
Lorenzo tilted his head a little, looking me over again. "Tell me, Seraphina… what are you to Ranon?"
My stomach tightened. I didn't know what to say.
I wasn't his girlfriend.
Not really his employee.
Definitely not just someone staying at his house.
A problem?
Something he didn't want?
"I'm…" I started to say, unsure.
"Important," Lorenzo said, finishing my sentence. "Or he wouldn't have brought you here."
I didn't know how to respond.
Before I could think, Lorenzo put out his hand in a polite way.
"Come with me," he said. "Let me keep you company until Ranon gets back. The people in this room are getting too interested."
I hesitated. Everything inside me told me to stay where I was.
But being alone with a room full of dangerous people wasn't any safer.
I took a deep breath and put my hand in his. His fingers wrapped around mine just enough to guide me, not control me.
He leaned in a little closer. "Relax, Seraphina. I don't bite."
I managed a weak, small smile. "That makes me feel better."
Lorenzo smiled widely. "Oddly, I'm now wishing Ranon doesn'
t hurry."
I gasped quietly.
I quickly understood that this guy was more than just nice.
He was risky, but not like Ranon at all.
And now
I was by myself with him.