Chapter 63 Sixty Three
Mira took one last look at herself in the mirror before drawing in a slow breath.
“This is just an investigation,” she reminded herself quietly.
Nothing else.
She picked up the small black clutch from the dresser and walked to the bedroom door.
The hallway outside was quiet. Every step toward the staircase made her stomach tighten.
She wasn’t nervous about the charity ball. She was nervous about seeing him again.
She hated that there was a difference. The sound of voices drifted up from downstairs. Mira rested one hand lightly on the polished wooden railing before beginning her descent.
Halfway down the staircase, she stopped.
Salvatore stood at the bottom.
He hadn’t noticed her yet.
He was speaking to Antonio, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other adjusted the cuff of his jacket.
He wore a perfectly tailored black tuxedo with satin lapels over a crisp white shirt. The jacket fit his broad shoulders like it had been made for him. A black bow tie rested neatly at his collar, making him look effortlessly refined.
His dark hair had been brushed back, exposing the sharp lines of his face. The expensive watch around his wrist caught the light every time he moved.
He looked less like a businessman… And more like the kind of man people crossed the street to avoid.
Power seemed to cling to him. Danger too.
As if sensing someone watching him, Salvatore lifted his head.
His eyes found hers immediately.
The conversation with Antonio stopped.
Everything else seemed to disappear.
For several long seconds neither of them moved.
His gaze traveled over her slowly.
From the loose curls framing her face…To the emerald earrings. To the dress.
Then lower.
Before returning to her eyes.His expression barely changed. Only the slightest tightening of his jaw betrayed him.
Antonio looked between them before quietly clearing his throat. “I’ll… wait outside.”
Neither of them answered.
Antonio smiled to himself and disappeared through the front door.
Salvatore still hadn’t taken his eyes off her.
Mira forced herself to continue walking. Every step down the staircase brought her closer. Closer to the man she had promised herself to hate.
Her heartbeat betrayed her anyway.
She hated that.
By the time she reached the last step, Salvatore was standing directly in front of her. Close enough for her to catch the faint scent of cedarwood and expensive cologne. Close enough that her body remembered him before her mind did.
She immediately pushed the feeling away.
His eyes softened just enough to surprise her.
“You look…” He paused, as though searching for the right word. “…beautiful.”
The compliment was quiet, simple words. It somehow sounded more genuine the way he said.
Mira’s expression remained cold. “I didn’t wear it for you.”
“I know.”
“I wore it because refusing would’ve meant another argument. And I wasn't going to give you that satisfaction.”
“I know.”
“And because the major asked for me.”
“I know that too,” he said softly
She frowned.
His calm answers irritated her more than if he had argued.
“You don’t have to keep agreeing with everything I say.”
“Am trying not to piss you off.”
She folded her arms. Whatever.”
His eyes lingered on her for another moment. “The dress suits you.”
She looked away. “Can you drop the act.”
“Am not acting Mira. Am just trying to be nice”
She met his gaze again. “I never asked you to.”
“I know that darling...”
“Stop calling me darling.” Mira said, letting out a frustrating sigh. “Stop it.”
“You can't change what you're to me Mira.”
She let out a disbelieving laugh.“There you go again.”
“What?” Salvatore asked
“Being a control maniac.”
His lips curved into the faintest smile. “You say the sweetest words to me, darling..”
“It useless talking to you.” Mira said, shaking her head
“Come on, Mira.” Salvatore said softly “I hear everything you say.”
She shook her head. “You really are impossible.”She brushed past him toward the front door. “I’m only going because I have my own reasons.”
“I never assumed otherwise.”
She stopped. “Then don’t mistake tonight for forgiveness or think you and I are on good terms.”
“I won’t.”
“I don't trust you and you disgust me.”
“ noted, darling.”
“Am serious!” Mira said her eyes on him coldly
“I know exactly what tonight is.” Slavtore said, his eyes on her.
She looked at him suspiciously. “And what’s that?”
“A charity ball. It's not a date, and you hate my guts.”
She stared at him.
Then rolled her eyes. “Asshole,” she muttered
“Very big asshole, Darling,” he said, smiling.
Despite herself, the corner of her mouth almost twitched.
She caught herself before it happened.
Salvatore noticed anyway. His eyes lingered on her face for the briefest moment.
“There she is.”
Her brows knitted together. “What?”
“I enjoy it when we argue.”
The warmth vanished from her expression immediately. “Don’t get used to it.”
“I intend to.”
She sighed in frustration. “You really don’t know when to stop.”
“What did I do now, Mira.”
She turned toward the entrance. “Can we just get this over with?”
Salvatore stepped beside her and opened the front door himself.
The evening air drifted inside. Rain had stopped, leaving the stone driveway shining beneath the mansion lights. A long black luxury car waited at the bottom of the steps.
One of the guards hurried forward to open the rear door.
Salvatore didn’t move immediately.
Instead, he looked at Mira once more.
His gaze settled on her face with an intensity that made her pulse stumble despite herself.
“What?” she asked sharply.
He smiled, but this time it didn’t carry its usual arrogance. “It was worth waiting outside your room.”
She looked away before her expression could betray her.n“Don’t flatter yourself.”
“I wasn’t.” He offered his arm. She looked at it as though it had insulted her.
“I’m capable of walking.”
“I know.”
She ignored the gesture completely and walked down the steps on her own. Salvatore watched her for a moment before following behind, the ghost of a smile still lingering on his face.
She had looked at him with something other than fear. Even if it was only annoyance.