Chapter 15 — Velvet Claws
The gala sparkled on.Lucien had drifted into a private circle of power players again ,Russian, Italian, and Eastern European men speaking in low voices near the back of the ballroom. Aria stayed in her lane: watching, listening, sipping champagne slowly enough to keep her head clear.She wasn't alone for long.The sharp click of stilettos on marble made her turn and there she was.Sofia Di Luca.
Draped in wine-red silk, hair twisted into a perfect updo, eyes rimmed in kohl , she looked like danger wrapped in perfume.Lucien's ex.The one who tried to drug him on their wedding night."Aria Monroe," she said, her smile slow and cruel. "Oh wait, Moretti now, isn't it?"Aria didn't blink."Sofia Di Luca," she replied evenly. "I thought they stopped letting security risks into these events."Sofia's smile flickered, then sharpened."So they taught you how to speak like one of us. I'm impressed. Last time I saw you, you were playing doll in a white dress and heels too big for your steps, unknownly you were quite feisty."
"I'm a quick learner."Aria replied sharply.
Sofia's gaze dragged down her gown, her jewelry, her poise.Then: "Does he touch you, Aria? Or are you just his pretty distraction?"Aria's fingers tightened around her glass but her voice stayed calm."Wouldn't you like to know if he already did?"
Aria could see Sofia hated how composed the she looked,hated that she wore his name,hated that Lucien hadn't looked at anyone tonight, not once, the way he had when Aria walked down into that wedding hall but most of all… she hated the calm in Aria's eyes. Like she wasn't just the substitute bride,like she belonged.Sofia stepped closer, lowering her voice."You don't know who he is,you think this world is just wealth and sharp suits, but Lucien… he doesn't love. He uses."Aria met her gaze."I never said I wanted his love."
"But you do," Sofia hissed and that's when the voice cut through.
"Step away from her."His voice wasn't loud but it cut through the crowd like a blade.Sofia turned, smile returning too quickly."Lucien. We were just chatting."
He stepped between them now, facing Sofia but his hand came to rest on Aria's lower back, firm and unyielding."I told you what would happen if you touched what's mine again."Sofia arched a brow. "Possession, Lucien? That's all she is?"
"She's my wife."
Silence, everywhere went silence to Aria even the music seemed to soften.Aria's pulse raced. Not from fear but from the weight of Lucien's words.Sofia's mask cracked for a second,just enough and then she smiled bitterly."Enjoy your price."
And with a whirl of red silk, she was gone.Aria stood, not talking.Lucien turned to her slowly,his hand hadn't moved from her back.She looked up at him, unsure what to say."I'm sorry," he murmured.That caught her off guard."For what?" she asked."For ever letting someone like her think she could speak to you."Her chest tightened.He wasn't being cold or strategic but furious,not at her but for her.
Aria nodded once, quietly."I'm fine."Lucien didn't reply but his hand didn't leave her back the rest of the night,not once.