Dancing with a stranger

Chapter |9

The night felt surreal, like I'd stepped into a world that wasn't mine—a world where every choice had been stripped away. The engagement announcement loomed over me, a nightmare disguised as a celebration.

Slipping into the gown, the reality hit me like a weight. The dress clung too tightly, suffocating, as if it were made to trap me. Grace's hands zipped me up, her presence a small comfort amid the chaos. My hair was pinned into a neat bun, the light makeup barely masking the storm inside.

My father's voice echoed from downstairs, reminding me this was the day I was supposed to meet my fate. I grabbed my purse, tied the straps on my heels, and linked arms with Grace. I wasn't going anywhere without her.

The limo ride passed in a blur. When we pulled up to the Everett estate, my stomach sank. Bigger than ours, guarded by armed men, the house wasn't just a home—it was a fortress. I wasn't meeting a family tonight; I was stepping into a war I hadn't agreed to.

Inside, the air felt heavy. My father and Mr. Everett talked business while I stood in a sea of unfamiliar faces. Gang members mingled casually, all sending the same message: I was off-limits. I grabbed two drinks from a passing server, handing one to Grace. Her reassuring smile was the only anchor in the room.

Then my father's voice cut through. "Hey, sweetie. Nolan's ready for you. Time to meet Steele."

I nodded, forcing a smile, trying not to let the bile of anger and fear show.

The hallways seemed endless, my heart hammering with each step. When we entered the room, Steele was there—a tall, fair-skinned man with messy blond hair and a cold, unreadable expression. His gray suit was sharp, and when he took my hand, his grip was firm. His kiss on my hand, however, was anything but comforting.

"Lovely to meet you," he said, voice polite but mechanical.

"Nice to finally meet you too," I replied, words carefully measured.

Once his father left, Steele's mask fell. "First of all, I didn't have a say in this. I'm not happy about it," I said, crossing my arms. His eyes narrowed, a sharp edge cutting through the air.

"Fine by me," he snapped. "And if you ever try to ruin this... I will end you."

His hand clamped around my arm, and a chill ran through me. But I held my gaze steady. "Got it," I said, keeping my voice cold. Inside, my chest hammered with fear. I had no choice but to play along.

I escaped to find Grace stuffing snacks into her mouth. She looked up at me, concern etched across her face. "They're getting ready for the announcement," she whispered.

I nodded, swallowing the knot in my throat. Mr. Everett took the stairs, microphone in hand, and the room fell silent.

"Miss Stella, come up here please," he called. "Also, my son Steele."

Reluctantly, I climbed the stairs, standing beside Steele as dozens of eyes tracked me. Across the room, gray eyes caught mine. Kian. His gaze was sharp, assessing, protective—an unspoken warning.

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

I forced a smile as cameras flashed. A puppet. A piece in someone else's game. The moment ended, and I hurried down, eager to breathe again.

Grace met me at the bottom, worry in her eyes. "You okay?"

"Yeah... I just want to go home," I muttered. The weight of the night pressed down like a vise.

Before I could relax, Mr. Everett stepped forward. "Hello, sweetheart. About moving in with Steele—I've arranged a cottage outside town for the two of you. A perfect start."

I blinked, forcing composure. "I'll talk to my father about it," I said, keeping my voice polite.

Grace stayed close, her watchful presence the only thing keeping me grounded. All I wanted was to escape this nightmare.

The ride home was silent. I kicked off my heels, resting my head on Lorenzo's shoulder. Hours felt like minutes, but I didn't care—I just needed to breathe.

Later, I woke to Zo carrying me into my room, his arms strong and steady. He tucked a blanket over me and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.

"Buona notte, tesoro mio," he whispered.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I let myself drift into deep, dreamless sleep, the exhaustion of the day finally settling into my bones.