Dancing with a stranger

Chapter |9

The night felt surreal, like I was trapped in a world that wasn't mine, one where everything was decided for me and I had no say. The engagement announcement felt like a dream-if dreams could be nightmares.

As I slipped on the gown, the weight of what was happening finally hit me. The dress felt tight, suffocating almost, like it was symbolizing everything I couldn't escape. Grace zipped me up, her face a comforting presence in the sea of uncertainty. My hair was pinned into a neat bun, and the light makeup she applied was supposed to make me look composed, but inside I was a mess.

My father's voice broke through my spiraling thoughts, calling from downstairs, reminding me that today was the day I was supposed to meet my fate. I grabbed my purse, tied the strap on my heels, and walked down the stairs, Grace's arm linked with mine. I wasn't going anywhere without her.

The limo ride felt like a blur, and as we pulled up to the enormous house, the dread in my stomach only grew. It was bigger than our own, and that wasn't even the worst part. The security guards standing watch outside were a clear sign that I wasn't just meeting some nice family. This was business. My life wasn't my own anymore, it was tied to something far darker, far more dangerous.

Inside, the house felt even more suffocating. My father and Mr. Everett engaged in conversation, leaving me standing in a sea of unfamiliar faces. Every gang member in town was here, making their presence known, all to show that I was officially off-limits. The weight of that reality hit me hard, but I kept moving, grabbed two drinks from a passing server, and handed one to Grace. Her reassuring smile was the only thing grounding me.

I barely had time to catch my breath before my father came up to me, his words cutting through the tension. "Hey sweetie, Nolan is looking for you. He's ready for you to meet Steele."

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Great," I muttered under my breath, trying not to sound as bitter as I felt.

As we walked down the hall, my heart raced, and I didn't know if it was fear or anger building up inside me. When we entered the room, I came face-to-face with Steele-a tall, fair-skinned guy with messy, dirty blond hair and a cold look in his eyes. He wore a gray suit, and when he took my hand, his grip was firm, but the kiss on my hand was anything but comforting. "It's lovely to meet you," he said, and I couldn't tell if he was genuinely polite or just playing a part.

"Nice to finally meet you too," I replied, forcing the words out as I tried to stay composed.

When his father left us alone, Steele wasted no time. "First of all, I didn't have a say in any of this, and I'm not happy," I said, crossing my arms. His eyes narrowed.

"Fine by me," he snapped, his voice low and threatening. "And listen here, if you ever try and ruin this for me, I will end you."

I flinched at his harsh words as he grabbed my arm tightly. Fear coursed through me, but I kept my gaze steady. "Got it," I said coldly, my heart pounding in my chest. I had no choice but to play along.

I couldn't wait to leave that room. I found Grace stuffing food into her mouth, as usual, and she looked up at me with a wide-eyed expression.

"They're getting ready for the announcement," she told me, her voice filled with concern.

I nodded and tried to calm my nerves, but I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was spiraling further out of control. Mr. Everett stood on the stairs, holding a microphone, and the entire room went quiet.

"Miss Stella, come up here please," Mr. Everett called out. "Also, I would like my son Steele to join me."

I reluctantly made my way up the stairs, standing next to Steele as the crowd watched. A pair of gray eyes caught my attention from across the room. Kian. His gaze was intense, like he was watching me, assessing me.

"I would like to announce the engagement of my son Steele and Stella De Santi of the Black Knight's Gang," Mr. Everett announced.

I stood next to Steele, forcing a smile as the cameras flashed, and every part of me felt like a puppet. A part of the deal. When the photos ended, I quickly stepped down, eager to escape.

Grace was there, waiting for me, her face filled with worry. "You okay?" she asked, concern in her voice.

"Yeah, I just want to go home," I muttered, the weight of everything crashing down on me.

Just when I thought I could breathe again, Mr. Everett approached me. "Hello, sweetheart," he said, his tone patronizing. "I just wanted to talk to you about moving in with Steele. I've arranged for you to stay in our cottage outside of town. It's a nice place for the two of you."

I nearly choked on my words, trying to keep my composure. "I'll talk to my father about it and get back to you," I said, forcing a polite smile.

Grace kept a watchful eye on me, as if making sure I didn't do something stupid. I could feel the exhaustion taking over. All I wanted was to go home and forget about this whole nightmare.

The car ride home was quiet. I took off my heels, resting my head on Lorenzo's shoulder. The ride felt long, too long, and I wasn't sure how much longer I'd have in my own house before everything changed.

I woke up to being carried, and when I looked up, I saw Zo's familiar face, his arms strong as he gently laid me on my bed. He covered me with a blanket and kissed my forehead.

"Buona Notte Tesoro Mio," he whispered softly, and a small smile tugged at my lips as I closed my eyes, finally feeling the exhaustion of the day settle into my bones.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to fall into a deep, dreamless sleep.