Twisted Loyalty

Chapter 25: A Ring and a Show

Sienna

The car slows as we approach the venue, a grand building bathed in soft golden light. Even from inside, I can see the throngs of people gathering outside, the chatter of voices and the occasional flash of cameras already filling the air. My heart pounds as Dante pulls the car to a stop, my nerves tightening with each passing second. This is it. The night we go from planning to action. The night we tell the world our engagement.

Dante kills the engine, and the quiet hum of the car disappears, leaving only the thrum of my own heartbeat. I glance at him, but before I can say anything, he turns toward me, his eyes dark and focused.

"Wait a second," he says softly, his voice calm and collected. He reaches into the inside pocket of his jacket, pulling out a small velvet box. My breath catches in my throat when I see it.

He opens the box, and nestled inside is a ring—the ring. It's beautiful, a dark ruby set in the center, surrounded by delicate black diamonds that shimmer faintly in the low light. The design is elegant but bold, just like Dante. The deep crimson of the ruby gleams, drawing my eyes to it, and I can't help but feel a strange tug of emotion. This is the ring that's supposed to symbolize something real, something we're faking. And yet... it feels important.

Dante takes the ring out of the box, turning it over in his hand, his expression unreadable. He's quiet for a moment, then looks at me, his gaze intense.

"We have to make this look real," he murmurs, his voice low but commanding. He holds out his hand toward me, his fingers brushing mine gently as he waits for me to offer my hand.

I hesitate, my breath catching in my throat. This is happening. My eyes flick down to the ring again, its dark beauty pulling me in. Slowly, I lift my hand and place it in his.

Dante's grip is firm but gentle, his fingers warm against my skin as he carefully slides the ring onto my finger. The cool metal feels heavier than I expected, but it fits perfectly. When it's on, he holds my hand for a moment longer than necessary, his eyes fixed on the ring as it gleams in the dim light of the car.

He's admiring it, almost as if he's savoring the way it looks on my hand. His thumb brushes over my knuckles, and for a brief second, I feel a strange warmth spread through my chest. It's a small gesture, but it feels intimate. Too intimate for what's supposed to be a charade.

I glance down at the ring, and I can't help but admire it too. It's stunning. I never imagined wearing something like this, even if it's fake. Even if this whole thing is pretend. It looks... perfect. Like it was made for me.

Dante's voice pulls me out of my thoughts. "You're ready?"

I look up at him, and he's watching me closely, waiting for my answer. I nod, swallowing the knot of nerves in my throat. "Yes."

Without another word, he opens his door and steps out of the car, walking around to my side. The cool night air rushes in as he opens my door, offering me his hand. I take it, feeling the warmth of his grip steadying me as I step out.

The noise of the crowd hits me as soon as I'm out of the car—voices, laughter, the hum of the city in the background. There are already people mingling outside the venue, some of them glancing our way, curious. I feel the weight of their eyes on me, and my pulse quickens. This is real now. The show is about to begin.

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Dante

As I drive us toward the venue, my mind keeps drifting back to the kiss we shared earlier. The memory of Sienna's lips pressed against mine, the soft sound of her breathing, and the way her body melted into mine—it's impossible to shake. I grip the steering wheel tighter, trying to focus, but the ache in my body is a constant reminder of how much I want her.