Page 15 of Vows of Power
I roll my eyes at him, but a smile is tugging at my lips. I think he likes me, and maybe that’s a problem, but it’s also flattering and I’m not made of stone. I wonder what it would be like if we... No. I can’t think about that. Our deal is pure business. And soon we’re going into a room full of people who’d kill us for sport, so now isn’t the time to be thinking about how good Matteo looks. I need to focus.
ONCE WE REACH DOMINIC’Smansion, a man in a dark suit opens my door and offers a hand I don’t take. When Matteo and I enter, I take a deep breath.
Designer stuff is everywhere, fancy glasses of something passed on trays, and a crowd that represents every ugly corner of our world is dressed up to look respectable. Old families and new money, men who launder and who kill, women on their arms who are probably smarter than half of them. I hold on to Matteo’s arm as I look around the room.
“On your right,” Matteo says quietly, close to my ear, so it looks like he’s whispering something sweet. “There’s Santi.”
I find him instantly. He’s watching everyone like a hawk.
“And the two near the bar,” Matteo says. “His newer guys.”
I recognize a few more men and nudge Matteo, who immediately follows my gaze. Then my gaze lands on Dominic, and my jaw clenches so hard my teeth hurt. My grip on Matteo’sarm tightens, and I’m glad he’s right next to me, or I would’ve already exploded and gone right for Dominic.
Dominic is at the center of everything, with a glass in one hand and a circle of people leaning toward him as if he’s the only interesting thing in the room. He looks older than in the photos, but it suits him. He’s like a king with his servants, and that’s exactly why my father always said he was dangerous.
“He likes being looked at,” Matteo says under his breath.
“Yeah, but don’t look at him for too long.”
We go close enough that Dominic’s circle could notice us, but far enough away that we’re not intruding. I watch Dominic as I pretend to sip on a drink. He touches people on the shoulder when he talks to them, draws them in, then lets them go as if they don’t matter. I want to get closer, but I also want to do it right, and those two things are complicated.
“We should go to him,” I say quietly. “Soon. While he’s relaxed. I’ll talk to him first.”
Matteo’s brow creases. “Are you sure you want to be the one to open it? He’s old-fashioned. He’ll expect me to come forward and put you behind me.”
“That’s exactly why it should be me.” I force my lips into a smile. “He’s old-fashioned, sure, but he likes a pretty woman who’s got the nerve to speak first. Men like him find that interesting. He won’t be able to decide if I’m bold or stupid, and he’ll want to find out. That’s how we get his attention instead of just you shaking his hand.”
“It’s a risk.”
“Everything tonight is a risk.” I squeeze his arm. “I’d rather pick the one that works in our favor.”
He studies me for a moment, then dips his chin, the corners of his lips quirking up. “Then lead. I’ll be right behind you, like a good husband.”
“Don’t enjoy it too much.”
We make our move when the circle around Dominic thins and I step into the gap before I can talk myself out of it. He looks up as I approach, and a smile coats his lips. But his eyes don’t match it. They’re cold and emotionless, and he’s probably analyzing me while his mouth says hello.
“I hope you’ll forgive me for being forward,” I say, and offer my hand. “I wanted to thank you for the invitation. Your home is magnificent.”
It’s not his real home, obviously, but no one’s supposed to know that.
He takes my hand and holds it. “A woman who introduces herself before her husband. Now that’s a rare thing.” His gaze flicks to Matteo behind me. “Amalia and Matteo Petrelli, I assume?”
Of course he knows. After all, he invited us. But then again, he does that with anyone who expresses interest and who isn’t dangerous enough to want him dead. It doesn’t mean anything, and only people who really impress him will get something out of this. I don’t know if I should be annoyed that he doesn’t think we’re a threat or that he believes he got away with killing Tomasso. Probably both, but right now, it’s useful that we’re here.
“Yeah, that’s us. And my husband knows better than to try to stop me.” I tilt my head toward Matteo, who steps up and lays a hand at the small of my back, playing his part well. “We’re new to circles like this, and I didn’t want to spend the whole evening waiting to be noticed. Besides, I’d love to make some new friends.”
Dominic’s smile widens, and there’s interest in his eyes, or at least curiosity. “Friends?”
“Sure, why not?” Matteo says, his voice relaxed, like a man with nothing to prove. “We manage well on our own, but no onegets far like that. We’re looking for the right people to work with and expand.
“Ambitious.” Dominic looks between us. “I like that. Most people want power and pretend they want something nobler.” He sips his drink. “How long have you two been married? Wasn’t your wedding, like, a few weeks ago?”
“Not long,” Matteo says. “But we’ve known each other for long enough.” He glances at me and smiles, and it’s totally convincing.
“And how did you two meet?” Dominic eyes us carefully.
“Through people we both knew,” I say. “And we realized we had a lot of things in common, especially our business goals.”
