Chapter 84 THE BANQUET
••Roman••
The silence between Luci and me had been deafening. After last night's argument, neither of us had said much to the other. I wanted to apologize, to tell her that I regretted the way I spoke to her, but my pride kept me quiet. The tension hung thick in the air, and we both knew it.
I stood in our room, my eyes scanning the empty space. She wasn’t here. I had already left a note for her on the table, simple yet meaningful. Something to show that I was still trying.
It read:
Get ready by 6 pm for Marco's banquet. We can’t afford any more mistakes. I'm sorry.
I wasn’t sure if the apology would reach her, but I had to try. She’d be back in the room soon enough, and by then, I would be long gone, but the note would remain.
I grabbed my suit jacket from the chair and slipped it on. The banquet tonight wasn’t just about showing up. It was a statement, a test. I couldn’t afford to show weakness in front of Marco or anyone else in the room. Not after what happened last time.
As I walked out of the room, I could hear Luci’s soft steps echo down the hall. She was getting ready. I knew she’d come down soon enough, but the silence lingered in my mind.
When she finally joined me, dressed in that emerald green gown, I couldn’t help but stare. She looked breathtaking, but there was something different in her eyes, wearines I hadn’t seen before. Still, I pushed my thoughts aside.
“Luci,” I said, my voice softer than I expected. “You look beautiful.”
She didn’t say anything. The coldness between us was palpable, but I couldn’t let it show. Not tonight. Not in front of Marco and everyone else.
I couldn’t help myself. “Stay close to me tonight,” I added. “Be careful.”
I could see her lips press together, but she didn’t respond. She just nodded, turning away as I led her toward the car.
The banquet hall was a masterpiece, elegantly designed, more like a grand wedding than a business event. Everywhere I looked, there were extravagant decorations, gilded chandeliers, and an atmosphere thick with tension. The entire place felt like it was built for us, like the world was watching, waiting for the next move.
When Luci and I entered the hall, it felt like every single eye was on us. It wasn’t just because we were the Orlovs nor we were the hosts of the night. No, it was something else. It was because we had become the spectacle. All eyes on Roman and Luciana Moretti. The mafia power couple. The heirs to an empire.
I’d set up everything in advance. Security stationed at strategic places around the hall, invisible to the guests but ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. I had an earpiece in, my eyes constantly scanning the room for any signs of trouble. Luci had hers too, hidden beneath her hair, just in case. I wasn’t going to take any chances tonight.
I could feel my pulse quicken as we moved deeper into the crowd. It wasn’t just a peace treaty as Marco tagged it, I knew he has something planned and Marco was going to make his move. I could already feel it.
As we made our way through the sea of faces, I couldn’t help but glance at Luci. Her eyes were fixed ahead, but I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way her jaw was clenched. She wasn’t herself. And I couldn’t blame her. The last few days had been a battle between us, and we hadn’t even begun to fix it. Still, I kept my composure. I couldn’t afford to show any cracks.
And then, they made the announcement.
“Please, all couples, come to the dance floor.”
I looked at Luci, and I could see her hesitation, the uncertainty in her eyes. She didn’t want this any more than I did. But duty called, and I couldn’t let her stand there in silence. We made our way to the dance floor, trying to look like everything was fine, trying to look like we weren’t two people on the brink of something falling apart.
The music started, slow and mellow, but there was no melody to it for me. I could feel the weight of everyone’s gaze, and the distance between Luci and me seemed to grow with each step. We danced, but it was stiff, more like mechanical. I wanted to speak to her, but I knew this wasn’t the moment.
Then the announcement came again.
“Now, we ask that all couples switch partners.”
My heart sank. I could feel the heat rise in my chest as my eyes met Luci’s. This wasn’t part of the plan. I wasn’t prepared for this. The anger I felt bubbling in my stomach was nearly overwhelming.
“What kind of rubbish is this?” I muttered under my breath, my grip on Luci’s waist tightening.
Before I could protest any further, I saw Marco Valerio. He was striding across the floor, his eyes locked on Luciana. His smirk was that familiar arrogant thing I’d seen far too many times.
Marco made his way toward us with slow, deliberate steps, when he reached us, he didn’t hesitate.
“Roman,” Marco said, his voice dripping with smugness, “May I have this dance with your wife?”
I could feel the heat rise in my chest as I clenched my jaw. No. Absolutely not.
But before I could speak, Marco knocked his glass from his hand, sending the wine splashing across the floor. All eyes were on him now, and he used that opportunity to repeat his request, louder, for everyone to hear.
“Roman, may I have this dance?”
I could feel Luci tense in my arms. Her body language screamed discomfort. She didn’t want this. Neither of us did.
I locked eyes with her, a silent communication passing between us.
Stay close. Be careful.
It was all I could say in that moment, the words unspoken but clear in the intensity of my gaze.
I felt a pit form in my stomach as I looked at Marco, his smile widening, eyes filled with challenge. He was trying to break us. Trying to show me that he could have whatever he wanted. And now, he was after Luci.
I let out a frustrated sigh, my anger threatening to overtake me. Damn him.
Reluctantly, I stepped back, releasing Luci into Marco’s grasp. I didn’t want this but I had no choice.
Luci moved with him, and I stayed where I was, watching them, my jaw clenched, fists at my sides. This was Marco’s game, and I was about to play it.