The party was already in full swing by the time we arrived, the low hum of conversation and the quiet clinking of glasses mixing with the soft sound of waves lapping against the yacht. High-ranking figures from every corner of the criminal underworld were gathered here, dressed to the nines in tailored suits and shimmering gowns, each exuding an air of elegance tinged with danger. And, for tonight, I was one of them.
I cast a quick glance at Carlos by my side. He cut an intimidating figure, draped in a dark, tailored suit with a long coat that hung over his shoulders, giving him an air of commanding presence. Beneath the coat, a white shirt and black tie provided contrast, while an aristocratic black vest with subtle tapestry hinted at power in the most refined way. He looked every bit the mafia leader, a figure that others observed with a mixture of respect and fear.
But his gaze wasn't on them. It was on me.
"Are you nervous?" he asked quietly, his eyes sweeping over the gathering before landing on me again.
"No." My voice came out steady, despite the rapid beat of my heart. "Though if I were, it'd have nothing to do with the people here."
A faint smile touched his lips, the kind that never quite reached his eyes. "You look... striking," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "No one would dare suspect that you don't belong here."
I took a moment to glance down at the gown he'd picked out for me. The dress was a vision of dark elegance, a shimmering black that seemed to drink in the moonlight, casting a silver sheen over the intricate beading and layers of tulle. It was soft against my skin, the kind of fabric that felt almost alive, and with each step, it flowed around me like shadows. I'd kept my makeup bold but softened, letting a dominant confidence show in the subtle shimmer on my eyelids and the deep color on my lips.
"Your doing, remember?" I shot him a sidelong look. "If I look like I belong here, it's because you made it happen."
Carlos' expression softened just a fraction. "Perhaps," he replied, his gaze lingering on my face as though he were seeing me for the first time.
But the moment broke when someone called out his name. Carlos turned, his face slipping into the unreadable mask he wore so well, as we made our way deeper into the crowd. Each step felt like a descent into a new world, one full of hidden agendas and whispered secrets.
As we moved through the gathering, a few of Carlos' allies approached, exchanging greetings and quick nods, though most seemed wary of the woman at his side. Their eyes lingered on me, studying, wondering, some even a bit suspicious. I caught a few murmurs—fragments of phrases that were polite on the surface but laced with curiosity beneath.
Carlos took it all in stride, introducing me only as "Lilith" without giving away more than necessary. With each introduction, he squeezed my hand ever so slightly, a silent reminder that he was right here with me.
We hadn't even made it halfway through the crowd when an older man approached, dressed in a crisp navy suit that looked as if it cost more than a small fortune. His eyes were sharp, calculating, and he glanced between Carlos and me with interest.
"Carlos," he greeted, his voice low and slightly rough. "And this... must be Lilith?"
"Indeed." Carlos kept his tone steady, but I could feel a slight tension radiate from him.
I nodded politely, offering a small smile as the man continued to assess me. There was something unsettling about his gaze, as if he were searching for some crack in my facade. "A pleasure to meet you," I said, my voice calm, almost challenging.
The man chuckled, a dry sound that seemed to acknowledge some unspoken understanding. "The pleasure's mine. You have an air of mystery about you. I'm sure you'll fit in perfectly."
With that, he moved on, and I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.
Carlos leaned closer. "That was Antonello. He's... not exactly an ally, but not an enemy either. If anyone here knows something about your brother, he might."
I nodded, keeping my face neutral even as the thrill of a lead shot through me. "Got it. I'll be careful."
The evening wore on, the yacht sailing smoothly beneath a star-streaked sky, with champagne and hushed conversations flowing freely. At one point, I excused myself, mingling just enough to blend in and gain a few fragments of conversation about possible allies who might be able to help. But no one gave me anything concrete, just small talk and smiles.
Eventually, Carlos and I made our way out onto the deck, away from the crowd. The cold night air hit my face, refreshing and sharp, a stark contrast to the warmth inside. I leaned against the railing, watching the city lights twinkle in the distance, letting the breeze calm my nerves.
"You handled yourself well tonight," Carlos murmured, coming up beside me. His voice was softer than usual, laced with something almost like pride.
"I'm just doing what I have to do," I replied, my gaze fixed on the horizon. "I'm not here to be anyone's trophy or sidekick."
His eyes flickered with a hint of admiration. "I know. That's one of the things I like about you. You don't bow to anyone."
The tension between us thickened, an almost electric pull that I was starting to recognize as unavoidable. The way he looked at me... it was dangerous, intoxicating. I could feel my heartbeat quicken, my mind warning me to tread carefully even as my body seemed to betray me, leaning closer to him without meaning to.
And then, before I could stop myself, I asked, "Why did you bring me here, really?"
Carlos' eyes held mine, unwavering. "Because I trust you," he said simply, but his tone was weighted, as if there were a thousand unsaid words behind it. "And because... I wanted you by my side."
There it was—clear, vulnerable, and entirely too tempting. I could feel myself slipping, the logical part of my mind giving way to something more instinctual, something that yearned to bridge the space between us.
Without thinking, I leaned in, and this time, he didn't hold back. His lips met mine in a quick, undeniable kiss that sent a shock through me, grounding me and setting me adrift all at once. It was brief, but in that fleeting moment, everything I'd been holding back broke through, a wave of emotions too deep and complicated to name.
When he pulled back, his gaze lingered on my face, as if trying to read my reaction. But I held my expression steady, not letting him see how much that kiss had stirred inside me. I'd been keeping my walls up for so long, and I couldn't afford to let them fall now.
Carlos cleared his throat, stepping back with a faint, almost imperceptible smile. "We should head back in. The night's not over yet."
Nodding, I composed myself, smoothing out my dress as we prepared to reenter the crowded room. But as we stepped back into the lights and noise, I couldn't shake the lingering warmth of his kiss or the realization that, for better or worse, I was in far deeper than I'd ever intended.
