Chapter 21

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

DOM ATTACHED HIS onyx and gold cuff links to his tuxedo shirt and kept an eye on the mirror that gave him a front-row view into Luca’s room. The kid was finishing off his look, sitting on the edge of the bed and slipping on a pair of shiny black loafers. Unease rolled off him in waves, but damn if he didn’t look the part.

As he stood up, he looked at himself in the mirror, unaware Dom was on the other side, and lifted the ends of the bow tie around his neck. It was obvious he’d never tied one before, but he gave a good effort before sighing and giving up. Then he reached for the black tuxedo jacket lying on the bed and shrugged into it, and when he faced the mirror again, Dom shook his head.

“He looks too fucking good to be a Fiore,” he said as he put on his own jacket. Luca didn’t have a clue what was happening tonight, but his presence had been requested, and it was up to Dom to make sure Luca was looking good and stayed by Dom’s side all night. At least he’d nailed the looking-good part, because while Luca probably preferred medical scrubs, his body was made for a tailored suit. And with the scruff along his jaw growing in, even Dom had to admit that Luca made a striking picture, one that would definitely get attention tonight.

Dom gave himself a once-over in the full bathroom mirror and then slipped his cell in his pocket before heading out of his room. He didn’t bother knocking on Luca’s door before entering, and the young man startled at the surprise.

“Hello, I could’ve been naked,” he said.

“So?”

“So a heads-up before you enter a room would be nice.”

Dom narrowed his eyes. “You’re forgetting I don’t ask for permission. Not a mistake I thought you’d make. Now come here.”

He could see the way Luca hesitated, like he wanted to rebel in some way, but then realized there was no point. He walked over, looking every inch like a prize Dom wanted to show off. And tonight, he’d get that chance.

Dom reached toward Luca, and the kid flinched at first, but then his shoulders relaxed when Dom began to work on the bow tie he’d left undone. This close, Dom could smell the way his soap lingered on Luca’s skin, and damn, why was that such an intriguing combination?

He decided to hold his breath as he finished securing the bow tie, and when he stepped back, he gave Luca a long once-over.

“Turn.”

Luca gave him a look but did as he said. “Is there a reason you have me in a penguin suit?”

“Yes.”

Luca waited a beat for more, and when Dom didn’t elaborate, he said, “Care to explain?”

“No. You should be glad to be in something so refined.”

“Well, I’m not.”

“There’s no accounting for taste. Let’s go.”

Dom started down the hall, Luca trailing after, and he should’ve known his companion would have a million questions. Maybe he should go back for the duct tape.

“Is someone here?” Luca asked. “Or coming? Why are we dressed up?”

Dom ignored him and reached into his pocket to unlock the front door.

“Wait, I thought we couldn’t leave. Where are you taking me?”

“We’re not going far.”

Luca backed up, the fear in his eyes confusing Dom until he realized what the kid was probably thinking.

“Calm down, Luca. As long as you behave, there will be no dungeon tonight.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

When Luca stayed stubbornly in place, Dom let the front door click shut.

“Tonight is an important night for my family. It’s a fundraiser for someone very prominent in this city, and since my presence is required, so is yours.”

“So this is a…party?”

“Not the frat soirees you’re probably used to, but yes.”

“I never—” Luca shook his head. “Okay.”

Dom nodded and unlocked the door again. Joe and Tony were waiting for them at the elevator.

“Oh no,” Luca said under his breath, and Dom took hold of his arm. He told himself it was to keep the kid moving, but somewhere in the back of his mind, he wondered if it was to reassure Luca that they wouldn’t hurt him tonight.

“Do as I say and they’ll have no reason to touch you.” Dom gave a clipped nod to Tony and went to step inside the elevator, but spotted Joe scowling at Luca. “That’s enough, Joe. You have your orders. He’s off-limits tonight.”

“Doesn’t mean I have to fucking smile about it.”

Dom’s lips twitched as he shoved Luca past the hulking man. “Do you even remember how to smile?”

As they turned inside the elevator and Dom punched the button, Joe aimed a gap-toothed grin, which looked more frightening than his scowl, in their direction.

“Yeah, I just gotta think of him running again and it comes back real easy.”

Luca moved in a little closer to Dom, who thought it funny that the kid was seeking safety from him over Joe. Clearly Luca’s head was all kinds of fucked up.

That didn’t last long, however, as the second the door slid shut, Luca plastered himself to the opposite side of the car, his eyes glued to the doors in front of him.

Dom looked to his cuffs, making sure they were straight and aligned at his wrists. The second they stepped off this elevator, all eyes would be on him.

“Tonight you are to stay by my side at all times. You don’t speak, breathe, or move without getting my permission first. Do you understand me?”

Luca glanced over, and the defiant look in his eyes made Dom’s dick kick despite himself.

“And if I don’t?”

“You and I will go somewhere for a little reminder on what you are and aren’t allowed to do.” His words were meant as a threat, but instead of fear, something else flickered in Luca’s eyes before he lowered them. “Do as you’re told and your night will go just fine. Don’t and it will end very badly.”

Luca shoved his hands in his pockets and shifted from side to side. “What are you going to tell people about me?”

“Whatever the hell I like.”

“And you don’t think I’m going to slip away and tell someone the truth?”

Dom side-eyed him, not in the least worried. “I think you’re too smart to do something so stupid. Now smile. I can’t have you looking like you don’t want to be here.”

On cue, the doors slid open and the bright, glittery lights of the casino greeted them as they stepped out of the small confines of the elevator and onto the marble floors.

Dom took Luca’s elbow and guided him out of the lobby and toward Midas’s main floor, where the gala was being held. As they followed the sounds of a live band and people chattering, Dom couldn’t help but wish he was suddenly back upstairs.

This was literally the last place he wanted to be tonight, but he knew how important it was to their overall plan. Not only at getting New York’s next mayoral candidate in their pocket but also in showing off their latest…acquisition.

“Oh my God,” Luca said as Dom directed him through crowds of people bustling about. “This is where I’ve been this whole time?”

“I thought I told you not to speak?”

“I’m only speaking to you.”

“Well, don’t. I said to stay quiet unless told otherwise. If you can’t do that, I’m sure Joe would be happy to help you out.”

“You know, you really need to think of another threat beyond him. At some point it just gets repetitive.”

Dom drew them to a stop and pulled Luca in close enough that their toes touched. “Okay then, maybe I’ll just call Chef?”

At the mention of Luca’s one-time safety net turned boogeyman, the kid shuddered.

“Actually, he’s right over there. Maybe we should go and say hello?”

Dom turned Luca toward a crowded red carpet where gorgeous people in designer gowns and suits were entering the event and posing for pictures. Chef was standing at one end watching the latest arrival slink her way down the carpet: Caterina—Dom’s sister.

“I’d put your eyes back in your head if I were you,” Dom said as he reached Chef.

“Please. I’m just lookin’ out. Making sure none of these fuckers gets handsy, that’s all.”

“Sure you are.”

Caterina looked their way, smiling and giving a wave, but then her gaze landed on Luca. Even though their father did his best to keep her out of the loop when it came to business, she’d still know the main players—and with the way her eyes widened and she rushed over before reaching the end of the red carpet, she definitely knew something was up.

She didn’t even bother with niceties, completely ignoring Dom and Chef as she stopped in front of Luca and gave him a thorough once-over.

“A stranger in our midst?” she said as her intelligent eyes took in every inch of the man at Dom’s side. “That’s unusual. I’m Caterina, and you are?”

Dom smirked at his sister’s directness, her lack of subtlety a trait born out of too many years being kept on the periphery. Something he could understand and commiserate with right now. But this was one time she wasn’t going to get an answer to her question.

“He’s none of your concern.”

Caterina looked to Dom and raised a perfectly arched brow.

“It is good to see you, however, sister. You look lovely as always.”

She tossed her glossy waves over one of her shoulders. “Flattery does not forgive rudeness, Dom, but thank you. As for seeing me, I invited you to brunch just last week. You declined.” She looked back to Luca. “You wouldn’t happen to be the reason for that, would you?”

When Luca said nothing, merely stood there like the good, silent captive he’d been instructed to be, Caterina shook her head and glared at her brother.

“He can speak, I assume?”

Dom eyed the kid, thinking of the hundred and one questions he’d been asking since they met. “Yes, that’s definitely something he can do.”

Luca must’ve taken that as some sort of permission, because finally he spoke up.

“I’m Luca,” he said, and then blurted out, “Luca Davis.”

Dom balled his fist and bit back the impulse to tell Luca to shut it. This was exactly the kind of information he didn’t want his sister to know, because even though it was a lie, there’d still be news of Luca’s disappearance, and if she went on the hunt for that, their father would be pissed, to say the least.

This was a fucking disaster.

Chef cleared his throat and bumped shoulders with the kid, reminding him not to push it, and when Luca shifted closer to Dom, Caterina laughed.

“Seriously, Chef. If you’re not feeling well, you should’ve stayed home in bed.”

“Aw, it’s nothin’.” Chef rubbed a hand through his hair before slipping it into his pocket. “Just a little tickle. Plus, I get restless on my own.”

“Who said you had to be alone?” She aimed a dazzling smile in his direction. “I would’ve happily come and played nurse.”

Chef glanced to Dom, his eyes pleading for a way out of the conversation. Because Chef knew the rules, and number one was that no one looked at, or touched, Caterina Rossetti. Not if they wanted to keep breathing.

“We have to go,” Dom announced, scanning the crowds of people moving inside the casino doors. The sooner he got Luca away from anyone who might take a photo, the better. “Did you see which way Father went when he arrived?”

“He mentioned Mayor Whitlock. I imagine he’ll be with him. That is why we’re all here tonight, after all, right?”

“So it is. Then we’ll be on our way. Enjoy your night, sister.” Dom leaned in to kiss both her cheeks, and just as he was about to pull away, she placed a hand on his arm.

“Don’t think I can’t see the resemblance in him. What are you all playing at?”

Dom straightened and removed her hand. “As I said, it’s none of your concern.”

“Right. I’m just here to hobnob and mingle with high society. Nothing more.”

Dom gave her a grim smile, hating the frustration he heard in her voice, but yes, that was what she was there for, the surface show. As Dom took Luca’s elbow and turned them away from the crowds, he reminded himself of the reason he was there tonight—to show off the prize he held in his hand.