Chapter 21

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

Stella strode across the Academia Bridge, hunched in her coat and determined to walk her frustration out before she went home.

This is why you shouldn’t have kissed him back. Stella scowled at the street. She hated that she felt like she couldn’t stay with Dom, but she wasn’t prepared for the full force of seeing his ex-girlfriend.

Bianca was even more stunning in real life. Stella didn’t have lousy self-esteem, but she wasn’t going to let herself be examined by the Swords high society princess either.

Especially one who assumed that the only way Stella could be with him was if she had bought a date. God, it was embarrassing.

You’re forgetting that Dom isn’t dating Bianca anymore.

That was even more of a reason to avoid coming to Bianca’s attention. Stella didn’t have the energy to deal with a jilted woman, especially one who would have no qualms looking into exactly who Stella was.

The clouds above started to spit rain, so Stella crossed another bridge, made her way up the stone steps, and into the warm embrace of the basilica of Santa Maria Della Salute. She slipped into a pew and listened to the pre-mass choir singing.

The feast day was still a couple of weeks away, but votive candles were already being sold in stalls outside and lit by pilgrims inside. People mingled quietly, admiring the paintings by Titian, while under the stares of a ring of elevated marble prophets.

Stella looked up at the magnificent altar and the painting of the Black Madonna that had been housed in the basilica for centuries.

A twinge of guilt twisted through her. This was not an unnatural reaction to have in a church, but Stella’s sin was against herself.

You ran like a coward. Dom had mentioned dating, and before she could process that, Bianca was there. What would people think about someone like Stella on a date with the prince of Venice?

It was stupid, but knowing that didn’t change the fact that when Stella saw Bianca and Dom together, she had thought they looked...perfect. Even Dom’s attempt at being casual hadn’t hindered him from still looking gorgeous and stylish, and Bianca’s perfection matched his.

She would know how to act at fancy parties and be an obedient partner to him.

Stella felt the Black Madonna’s eyes on her. And you’re so sure Dom wants that?

How could he not? It would be the best match for him. Just because it made a part of Stella rage with jealousy didn’t mean a thing.

Don’t judge me. You never had to put up with this shit.

Stella stilled as hot power pulsed over her, making her magic sing. She glanced over one shoulder and spotted Dom crossing himself. His golden eyes flashed.

Time to run. Stella’s monkey brain was dumping adrenaline down her spine, and as soon as Dom sat in another pew, Stella got up and almost knocked over an old widow. She whispered apologies before hurrying out of the church as politely as possible.

She didn’t turn around as she ran down the steps and onto the docked ferry. It pulled out in the canal just as Dom came out of the church, looking around. He spotted her, and for a second, Stella thought he would try and jump from the jetty.

Why am I acting like this? She had to talk to him; he wouldn’t stop until she did. At the same time, she needed to think, separate her heart and her head, and all he did was confuse both.

Stella jumped off the ferry at Ca’ Rezzonico and went home. Luca still wasn’t back, so she hung up her damp coat and trudged upstairs.

She should send Dom a message at least, but saying what? That she was jealous and couldn’t handle seeing him and his ex together? That she had run from him again because she didn’t know how to face what she was feeling? God, she was a mess.

Stella opened her bedroom door and found Dom sitting at one of her desks. The door leading out to the balcony was open although she was sure she had locked it before leaving.

"Why do you keep making me chase you?" Dom asked, voice deceptively soft. He got to his feet and closed in on her. The beast was out, the polite prince nowhere to be seen.

"I figured you would want to catch up with your ex and made myself scarce. We got the information we needed on Georgio," Stella replied. She tried to hold her ground but found herself backing away until she bumped into a wall.

"I know she was rude, but you just ran. You acted like we were strangers," Dom said, putting his hands on the walls on either side of her so she couldn’t move.

The alpha energy pouring out of him turned Stella’s magic on like a switch. Her fingertips sparked in response, even as she burned with the urge to run her hands all over him.

"Why do you even care?"

Dom’s pupils flared. "Because we aren’t fucking strangers, Stella. It was my name on your lips when you came last night and my hand that you did it on. We are anything but strangers."

"Did you ever stop to think that I was trying to do you a favor? The people you are seen with get noted, Dom. It’s news. Sorry if I didn’t want to tarnish your reputation," Stella said, her old friend anger coming to her rescue. She didn’t want to tell him that protecting his reputation was only partly the reason.

"Do you think so little of yourself? Honestly, that’s ridiculous."

"Is it really? Okay, how about this? Maybe I don’t want to be scrutinized and sized up by the likes of Bianca Rossi?"

"Which is it Stella? My reputation or your ego? Why would you even care what she thinks?"

"I don’t, but she’s your ex—"

"No, she’s not. We were never together. We never even kissed," Dom corrected her. "I went on two dates with her because Rodrigo was trying to set us up in an arranged marriage. I was resigning myself to my fate, even though I knew we wouldn’t be happy together. Both of the families were pressing for it. Both Bianca and Rodrigo were furious with me when I wouldn’t go through with it. They don’t like to lose."

Stella was speechless. She couldn’t imagine being forced to do something so horrible as marry a complete stranger like it was a business deal.

Still, it didn’t explain his decision. Most men would have done anything for a shot at someone like Bianca.

"Why didn’t you want her? She’s stunning. She would be the perfect wife to a Council member. She’s shedu. That matters."

It was all Stella could think about that morning after Antonio had mentioned Carmella. What would the Lioness of Venice think about her only son dating a human?

"I couldn’t go through with it because the night before I was meant to give my final answer, I went and attended a Carnevale party in a final act as a single male," Dom hissed out in frustration. "I met a crazy woman who did things like cause a blackout so we could run away from my father’s men who had been sent to make sure I didn’t do anything to screw up his deal. A magical, beautiful woman who was so damn alive that I was already obsessed with her even before she kissed me. The dream of her was enough for me to not go through with the arrangement. Then she disappeared for eight damn months, and when I finally found her again, all she has done is continue to run away from me!"

"Maybe because she knows that no matter how much she wants you, she can’t have you. Not permanently, and anything less wouldn’t be enough. Not for me," Stella said, tears threatening at the back of her eyes. "I’m realistic, something you should be too. You really think your father will be happy if you end up with someone other than a Venetian princess?"

"Look at me so you know how serious I am when I say this." Dom lifted her chin so she couldn’t escape the shedu shining in his eyes. "I don’t give a fuck what Rodrigo thinks. He won’t stop me from having you, and if he tries, he will discover exactly what it means to have a pissed off, level seven alpha as a son. I will burn his world to the ground if he tries. Even the Doge himself can’t stop Fate, my Stella. And make no mistake, you are mine. The only person who can stop me from having you...is you. You decide because I can’t handle playing this game with you anymore."

Dom stepped away from her, and Stella wanted to grab him to pull him back against her. She searched for the voice of reason inside her, but it was silent in the face of his vulnerability.

Her heart hurt for him, knowing he meant everything he had said. His hand was on the door to the balcony, and if she let him leave, it would be too late.

"I submit," Stella whispered.

Dom froze and looked over his shoulder at her. "What did you just say?"

Stella could barely hear him over her hammering heart. She straightened her shoulders, the decision made. She would never run from him again.

Stella looked him dead in the eye, summoning whatever bravery she had left.

"Domenico Aladoro, I submit."