Page 50 of Arranged with Twins
The gala unfolds with typical Manhattan social precision. Elegant attendees cluster around cocktail tables while servers circulate with champagne and canapés. I nurse a sparkling water while making conversation with board members, their spouses, and prominent donors, playing my role as Leo’s charming fiancée with practiced ease.
“Sienna?” A familiar voice behind me makes me turn, and I find myself face to face with Henry Whitmore, my ex-boyfriend from my London days. “I thought that was you.”
“Henry.” I force a smile, genuinely surprised to see him at a New York charity event, but not really happy about it. Our relationship fizzled out, and there was no reason to remain in contact. “What brings you to the city?”
“Business expansion. My father’s firm is opening a Manhattan office, and I’m heading the transition.” Henry looks exactly as I remember him, with sandy brown hair, patrician features, and the easy confidence that comes from generational wealth. His accent is posh English upper crust. “You look incredible. Being back home obviously agrees with you.”
“Thank you.” I glance around, noting Leo is across the room in conversation with other donors, though his attention keeps drifting back to me. “How long are you in town?”
“Permanently, actually. I’m relocating here full-time.” Henry steps close enough that I can smell his expensive cologne. “I was hoping we might catch up properly. Maybe lunch sometime this week?”
“I don’t think that’s appropriate.” I take a subtle step back, creating distance between us. “I’m engaged, Henry.”
“To the formidable Leo Denisov, yes. I’ve heard quite a lot about your fiancé.” Henry’s smile carries an edge I don’t like. “Impressive man, from what people say, though perhaps not the safest choice for someone like you.”
The implication in his words makes my spine stiffen. “Someone like me?”
“Someone who values stability and predictability and prefers the safer path.” Henry reaches out to touch my arm, a gesture that once would have been comforting but now feels presumptuous. “I always thought we were well-matched in that regard.”
“We were never matched at all.” I pull my arm away, irritation flaring hot in my chest. “You thought I was safe and predictable because that’s what my parents wanted you to see. The real me was always more complicated than that.”
“Was she?” Henry places his hand at the small of my back, leaning in to whisper in my ear. “The Sienna I remember wouldn’t have chosen a man whose business interests require armed security details, so perhaps you’re right. Perhaps there is more to you to explore.”
The familiar gesture combined with his presumptuous words makes my skin crawl. Before I can respond, I sense rather than see Leo’s approach. When I look up, his face is a mask of controlled fury, with his jaw set in a way that signals imminent violence.
“Excuse me.” Leo’s voice cuts through the ambient noise of conversation like a blade. “I don’t believe we’ve been introduced.”
Henry straightens, removing his hand from my back as he extends it toward Leo. “Henry Whitmore. I’m an old friend of Sienna’s from London.”
“Leo Denisov.” Leo shakes Henry’s hand with enough force to make the other man wince. “Sienna’s fiancé.”
“Yes, congratulations on your engagement.” He recovers his composure quickly, though I notice him flexing his fingers. “Sienna and I were just reminiscing about old times.”
“Were you?” Leo’s attention shifts to me, and possessive fury burns in his eyes. “Sienna, I think it’s time we made our rounds to the other tables.”
I recognize the tone. It’s polite on the surface but carrying unmistakable command underneath. Part of me bristles at being managed like a wayward child, but a larger part appreciates his intervention. “Of course. Henry, it was good to see you again.” My voice holds no enthusiasm as I say the expected words.
“Likewise. I hope we’ll have another chance to catch up soon.” Henry’s smile is thin as he watches Leo guide me away from the conversation.
Leo’s hand on my elbow is firm but not painful as he steers me through the crowd toward the exit. Tension radiates from him like heat, and the careful control he maintains only makes it more obvious how furious he actually is. “We’re leaving.” He signals to our security detail with a subtle gesture. “Now.”
“Leo, wait.” I try to slow our progress toward the door, conscious of the attention our abrupt departure is drawing. “People will notice if we just disappear.”
“Let them notice.” His voice carries a rough edge that makes several nearby guests turn to stare. “We’re done here.”
The car ride back to my apartment passes in charged silence. Leo stares out his window while I study his profile, noting the muscle jumping in his jaw and his hands clenched into fists on his thighs. The air between us feels electric and dangerous in ways that have nothing to do with external threats.
“Are you going to tell me what that was about?” I finally break the silence as we pull up to my building.
“What do you think it was about?” Leo turns to face me, and the fury in his expression makes my breath catch. “Another man had his hands on you.”
“Henry barely touched me.” I try to keep my voice level despite the anger building in my own chest. “When he did, I moved away.” I can’t deny Henry followed though, and part of me is grateful for Leo’s intercession. The rest of me is irritated by how he’s handling it.
“He touched you like he had the right to, like you belonged to him instead of me.” Leo’s voice drops to a growl that sends shivers down my spine. “Nobody touches you but me, Sienna. Nobody.”
“I don’t belong to anyone.” The words come out firmly. “I’m not property, Leo. I’m a person with agency and the ability to handle unwanted attention without requiring rescue.”
“You think I don’t know that?” He leans close enough that I can feel his breath against my face. “You think I enjoy feeling like I want to break every man who looks at you the wrong way?”
