Page 12 of The Devil's Touch
The door before me swung open.There he was, holding out his hand, waiting for me.
I snorted, stepping out of the car.“I can open my own door.”
“You won’t be doing that for yourself while I’m here.”He dismissed my tantrum, slipping his arm around my waist so casually, like it was meant to be there, like he didn’t just stir up my insides with just one touch.
I fought back the urge to dwell on a comeback, glancing around and noting how everywhere seemed quiet.While I knew Domenico wasn’t the type of man to sugarcoat things, I also wasn’t willing to take a chance on where he might be taking me.
Some bouncers at the entrance ushered us in, bowing curtly to him.
He led us through a dim, narrow hallway that seemed more like a labyrinth, covered in fine, red rug and mysterious vintage paintings on its deep red walls.
A mysterious classical musical lured me in as we approached the entrance of what seemed like an exclusive space.There were two hostesses at the entrance, draped in sultry outfits with a corporate edge and glittering masks.The duo held a tray on which, as we drew closer, I realized were masks and number tags.
“Is this a ball?”I scrunched my face, wanting to hide the interest that was beginning to brew within me.
“No.”Domenico grabbed a glittering black mask, spun me around and laced it around my face.My breath hitched as his coarse fingers skimmed my skin.
He strapped a black mask on his face, too, and handed me a number tag before taking one for himself.
The music was louder now and more enchanting, seeming as though we were lured into a dangerous den the minute the curtains swung open.
The space looked like a converted ballroom, elites gliding around in delicate, pristine dresses and sharp suits and their masks, holding onto glasses of wine and champagne.Strangely, there wasn’t a crowd, but it wasn’t sparse either.
“Welcome to the midnight auction.”Domenico’s cold lips hit my ear.
I shivered, swallowing.
It made so much sense while it looked as though there were strange objects at the center of the room, draped in fine red cloth.
“An auction?”I asked incredulously.
“Let’s just say, they do more bidding on human beings than expensive art.”Domenico causally responded in his cold, suave voice that seemed to be hitting all angles for me right now.
A waitress happened to walk by and I snatched a flute of champagne, downing it at once to push back the information I just heard.
“Wow,” I carelessly tossed the flute back on the tray.
“What?Too much to handle for you, Mia Cara.”He was challenging me.I hated it.
“No,” I deadpanned.“In fact, this is exactly what I need.”My lips twitched in a smirk when a thought popped up in my head.
I signaled a lady who walked around the room like she owned the place.Judging from the way she went around, she looked like she was taking requests.
She sashayed over to me, and I leaned forward, whispering into her ear.She met my gaze, slowly nodding her head before she spun around and walked away.
“What did you say to her?”His grip turned more possessive around me.
I turned to him, my lips tilting in a smirk.“Patience, Dom.You’ll find out soon enough.”
His jaw twitched but he didn’t say anything else.
Let’s see how well the Don does when things aren’t going his way.
“It’s starting,” he announced, leading us to the front as the auctioneer hit a metal against his champagne flute.
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen of the night.”The auctioneer’s gaze reeked of mischief, making me a little uneasy.“Shall we begin what we have come here to do?”
The crowd roared in response.
