Chapter 3 3

The evening of the meeting with Matteo's family arrived, and the mansion was alive with anticipation. Zara's every move felt calculated, every glance dissected. Her father had made it clear that this meeting would set the tone for the future of their alliance with the DeLuca family. It wasn't just about appearances; it was about power, influence, and the unspoken promises that held the fabric of the world she lived in together. She could almost hear her father's voice in her mind: Do not disappoint me, Zara.

Her mother had spent hours in her dressing room, ensuring Zara's gown was perfect. It was a deep emerald green, meant to complement her dark hair and pale complexion. The silk clung to her body, accentuating her curves in a way that felt too exposing, too deliberate. Her mother had selected the gown for just that reason-Zara was to be the shining jewel of the evening, the symbol of the Moretti legacy in full view.

Zara studied herself in the full-length mirror, the reflection staring back at her a perfect image of the woman everyone expected her to be. But beneath the surface, there was a storm brewing, a quiet rebellion that no one could see. The mere thought of her impending marriage to Matteo made her want to scream, to break free from the constraints of her life. Yet, all she could do was smile, nod, and play the role.

Her thoughts drifted to Damon King, the name still a dangerous whisper in her mind. She couldn't forget the way he had looked at her across the room at the engagement party. It was as if he knew something she didn't, as if he understood her in a way no one else did. That connection had unsettled her, and she couldn't deny that she found herself thinking about him far more than she should.

A knock at the door interrupted her thoughts. "Zara, the car is ready," her mother's voice called from the other side.

She turned from the mirror with a deep breath. Tonight would be another performance. The act would continue, and there would be no room for deviation.

The DeLuca mansion was one of the largest estates in the city. Its stone walls towered over the manicured gardens, and the front doors were flanked by massive marble columns. When the Moretti family arrived, it was a spectacle, a display of power and wealth. The valet opened the door to the car before Zara could step out, and she was immediately greeted by Matteo, his usual stoic expression fixed in place.

"Ready?" he asked, his eyes scanning her figure with approval.

Zara nodded, forcing a smile onto her lips. "Ready."

The grand foyer of the DeLuca mansion was bathed in golden light, and the air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and rich wine. Guests mingled in the wide hall, their voices a murmur of polite conversation. But beneath the surface, Zara could feel the undercurrent of tension. The DeLucas had always been more unpredictable than her own family, their power more volatile. They played the game differently, and that always made Zara wary.

Her father moved to greet Don DeLuca, the head of the family, a tall man whose presence was as imposing as his reputation. Zara's heart skipped a beat when she spotted the younger DeLuca heir standing by his father's side. Luca DeLuca, Matteo's cousin, was a man of little patience and fewer morals. His eyes were locked onto Zara, and she felt the weight of his gaze like a physical thing. He had always been intrigued by her, and the feeling, while unsettling, was mutual.

Zara's thoughts were interrupted when Matteo guided her toward Don DeLuca. "Don DeLuca, it is an honor to finally meet you in person," Matteo said, his voice polite, but with the subtle edge of someone trying to secure a deal.

"Likewise, Matteo," Don DeLuca replied, shaking his hand. His voice was low, gravelly, the tone of a man who had seen too much and was unafraid of anything. His dark eyes shifted to Zara, appraising her with a coldness that made her skin crawl. "And this must be your fiancée, the lovely Zara. Quite the prize, I hear."

Zara smiled politely, her pulse quickening. "Thank you, Don DeLuca. It's a pleasure to finally meet you."

Luca DeLuca stepped forward then, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and something darker. "A Moretti," he said with a faint smile. "It's been a long time since we've had the pleasure of one in our home. You're even more stunning in person, Zara. I'm sure your father's very proud."

Zara's smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. "My father values the importance of family, Mr. DeLuca."

Luca's smile widened, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "I'm sure he does. But a woman like you? I'm sure he values you for more than just your last name."

Her stomach turned, but she forced herself to stay composed. "I'm sure my family values many things, Mr. DeLuca."

Matteo placed a hand on Zara's back, guiding her away from the DeLucas and toward a quieter corner of the room. The words from Luca echoed in her mind, but she didn't allow herself to dwell on them. He was a man of little substance-his compliments hollow, his interest purely transactional.

They continued to make small talk with various guests, exchanging pleasantries with people Zara didn't know, all while Matteo's hand remained firm on her back. He was protective in a way that felt more possessive than affectionate, a reminder that, in his eyes, she was a means to an end. The weight of it all pressed down on her, and she longed to escape, even if only for a few moments.

A subtle movement in the crowd caught her eye, and her breath caught in her throat. Damon King. He stood near the edge of the room, his presence like a silent storm. His eyes met hers from across the room, and in that moment, Zara felt everything around her fade. There was something in his gaze-intense, searching, and yet, somehow, comforting. It was a look that made her feel both exposed and understood at once.

Zara quickly turned her head, heart pounding in her chest. Why had he come? This wasn't a place for someone like him-someone tied to the rival family. Her thoughts raced as she struggled to regain control of her emotions. Damon was dangerous. His very presence here, in the heart of DeLuca territory, was a statement in itself.

But it wasn't just his presence that unnerved her. It was the way his eyes lingered on her, the way his attention seemed fixed on her like a magnet, drawing her in despite all the barriers she had built around herself.

"Zara?" Matteo's voice snapped her from her thoughts. "Are you alright?"

She forced a smile and turned back toward him. "Yes, just a little tired. I'll be fine."

But even as she said the words, her mind was elsewhere, following Damon's every movement in the room. He was still watching her, his gaze unbroken.

Luca DeLuca, noticing her distraction, followed her line of sight. "You've spotted someone interesting, Zara?" His voice dripped with amusement, though there was an edge to it. "Someone you know, perhaps?"

Zara's heart skipped a beat. She didn't know what to say. She couldn't afford to acknowledge Damon, not here, not now. "I'm just... distracted, Mr. DeLuca. I apologize."

Luca smiled, but the look in his eyes told her he wasn't fooled. "No need to apologize, Zara. It's perfectly normal to have distractions at an event like this. But I do hope you're not distracted by someone who doesn't belong here."

Zara forced herself to meet his gaze, her smile cool and detached. "Everyone here belongs, Mr. DeLuca. Even those we don't understand."

Luca studied her for a moment longer, but his smile never faltered. "Very true. I suppose we all have our secrets."

Her stomach twisted, the words hitting closer to home than she wanted to admit. She had her secrets, yes. And one of them, standing across the room, was the dangerous man who had the power to unravel everything.

But tonight, she couldn't afford to let herself be distracted by him. She couldn't afford to let anything-or anyone-stand in the way of the life her father had planned for her. Even if it meant sacrificing everything she truly desired.

The game was only beginning. And for Zara, there would be no easy way out.