Chapter 73 

Victoria’s lips widened into a smile. 

“Dominic, darling, it’s nice to see you.” 

Dominic didn’t smile back. 

Not even close. 

His arm went around around my waist, the heat of his palm resting low on my abdomen as he pushed me against his chest. The tension radiating off him was sharp enough to slice through glass, and Victoria clearly felt it, because the smile on her lips flickered–just barely. 

I doubt he would care seeing her husband is all powerful. 

“I didn’t think you’d show tonight,” she continued, voice light, teasing. “You always hated these things.” 

Dominic tilted his head slightly. “You and your husband invited us. Might as well see what was at play.” 

His tone wasn’t playful. 

Her gaze flicked to me, lingering for half a second longer than necessary. “Of course. I was curious. Rumors have it that you have fallen in love so I wanted to know if Shee have changed but she looks leaner. You sure you’re feeding her right?” 

I tried not to let her words get to me but damn it she was annoying. 

I could feel Dominic’s entire body coil beside me, his jaw ticking once–twice–before he finally spoke. 

“She’s mine and whatever happens between us is none of your business.” 

The words came low. He was pissed even though his face held indifference. 

His words were not up for debate. Not for show. 

Just fact. 

Victoria blinked. 

A moment passed before she laughed. “Oh, Dominic.” 

But it wasn’t her usual cruel kind of laughter. There was anger beneath it. 

Even though her lips were in a smile. 

“You’re serious?” she asked, looking at him like she hadn’t just heard him say the most outrageous thing in the room. 

He didn’t blink. “Did I mumble?” 

I didn’t know who looked more shocked–Victoria or me. 

His fingers stayed anchored at my side, and when I finally found the nerve to glance up at him, he was still looking at her. 

Not me. 

Victoria wet her lips, crossing one arm over the other. “You’ve never claimed anyone before. Not even me.” 

Dominic’s expression didn’t shift. “That’s because none of them were her.” 

That shut her up. 

She looked at me, and for the first time since she slithered up to my side tonight, there was no smugness in her expression. Just quiet calculation. 

Then, as if remembering her game, she smiled again. “Well then. It must be serious.” 

Dominic didn’t answer. 

The silence stretched. 

“I’m surprised,” she continued. “You’re usually so careful. So controlled. Letting feelings get involved… risky, isn’t it?” 

Dominic gave a slow, sharp smile. “Not feelings. Facts.” He looked down at me, just briefly. “She’s mine. That’s all anyone in this room needs to know. And she deserves to be respected.” 

Victoria’s nails clicked gently against her clutch. “For now.” 

Dominic stepped forward. Just an inch. But it was enough to make her heels shift back. 

“There is no ‘for now, Victoria.” 

Successfully unlocked! 

Her jaw tightened. “You think claiming her like that will keep her safet 

His smile vanished. “I know it will.” 

The tension between them was almost unbearable. Like something old and poisonous had bubbled to the surface, something they hadn’t addressed in years. 

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Chapter 73 

Victoria drew in a soft breath. “Mikael won’t back off just because you’ve declared her yours.” 

“I don’t need him to back off, Dominic said coldly. “I need him to try.” 

She paused. 

He stepped forward again. 

*Because the next time he does?” Dominic’s voice dropped, dangerously soft. “There won’t be a warning” 

Victoria stared at him. 

And then, finally, she backed off with a stiff smile, brushing invisible lint from her gown like the conversation had bored her. “Well, enjoy the rest of your evening.” 

She turned to me. “Don’t get too comfortable, darling.” 

Then she walked away, hips swaying like she hadn’t just been outplayed. 

I didn’t speak. 

I couldn’t. 

Not until Dominic finally turned to me, his jaw still tight, his eyes darker than usual. 

“You okay?” he asked, voice low. 

I nodded, though my chest felt tight. “You didn’t have to say that.” I said that but my belly was doing cartwheels. That was, so hot. 

“I did.” He glanced in the direction Victoria had gone. “I needed everyone here to hear it.” 

I swallowed. “You mean Mikael.” 

“I mean all of them,” he said. “They need to know what’ll happen if they lay a finger on you.” 

“And what will happen?” 

His eyes flicked to mine. 

“I’ll burn them down.” 

I didn’t respond. 

Because what do you say to that? When the most dangerous man in the room just told you without blinking–that he would destroy anyone who touched you? 

The air between us shifted. 

Dominic straightened, adjusting the cuffs of his suit, and the moment of stillness broke. 

“Come,” he said, his hand brushing mine. Not a request. A direction. “There are people you need to meet.” 

People. 

Important ones, from the way his jaw tightened. 

I followed him deeper into the room, past guests dressed in designer black and dripping judgment. The space gleamed with polished marble, champagne flutes, and the kind of money that didn’t just buy silence–it bought souls. 

The first man Dominic introduced me to was tall, with a sharp nose and cold, hooded eyes. Mr. Falco. Italian. Oil magnate, apparently. He didn’t even try to hide the way his gaze slid down my body like I was a new model on the showroom floor. 

“Quite the upgrade, De Luca,” he said in a thick accent, eyes lingering far too long. “Bit young for you, no?” 

Dominic’s jaw clenched. 

But before he could speak, I smiled–tight and saccharine. “Bit old for you to still think that’s a charming comment.” 

Falco blinked. 

Dominic’s lips twitched. 

Not a smirk. 

Almost a grin. 

Falco coughed, muttered something about needing another drink, and walked off. 

I looked up at Dominic. “Was that rude?” 

He tilted his head. “Rude?” His hand slid to the small of my back. “That was beautiful.” 

We moved to another group–this time, younger men, all with slick hair and louder suits. Sons of someone, probably. They 

said hello to Dominic, nodded to me with the kind of courtesy that came from being taught manners, not feeling them. 

One of them–a guy named Luca Romano, and yes, the last name made my skin crawl–tried to make small talk. 

“You’re the one who dances, right?” he asked with a grin, leaning closer. “I saw a video.” 

You’re the one w 

2/3 

Chapter 73 

Dominic went still. 

But I didn’t flinch. 

I took a step forward. Smiled. “Was it a good angle?” 

The guy blinked. “Uh… yeah.” 

“Great,” I said sweetly. “You can save it for the next time you’re lonely. If you’re into that sort of thing.” 

His friends choked on their drinks. 

Dominic reached for my hand, squeezing it lightly as he leaned in. “You’re killing this Aria.” 

“I have always been a sharp mouth. Just never used it often.” 

We kept moving. From politician to CEO to billionaire heir. Every interaction was a game. A performance. I smiled when I needed to. Sharpened my words when they tried to test me. And the more they underestimated me, the more I enjoyed putting them in their place. 

But all the while–she watched. 

I felt it before I saw it. 

Victoria. 

Across the ballroom. A glass of champagne in hand, her red dress still hugging every curve like it had been painted on. She wasn’t mingling. Wasn’t laughing. Wasn’t moving. 

She was watching. 

Us. 

Her gaze didn’t flicker when I met her eyes. 

But her lips twitched. 

The same sharp, dangerous smile I’d seen earlier. 

Like she knew something I didn’t. 

Like she was waiting. 

Plotting. 

And suddenly, I felt it. 

The tension tightening again. 

Because whatever game she was playing? 

I have a feeling she is going to go all in. 

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