Page 33 of Captured Fantasy

“Use your words, sweetheart.”

Fuck him and his condescending tone. Why had I agreed to come to this pissing contest? I should be home right now reading a book in bed.

I cleared my throat. “No, Rico, he doesn’t.”

The waiter appeared and set down our drinks and Federico leaned back in his seat, resting his hand across my upper back.

“He doesn’t what, Enza?” he pressed.

My voice was barely a whisper, but at least I kept my chin up. “He doesn’t fuck me.”

Federico laughed, although he didn’t sound amused. I’d never experienced this ugly side of him and it turned my stomach. He leaned forward and I smelled the whiskey on his breath, washing hot over my face. His eyes were so dark it was hard to tell what he was feeling.

“Maybe not your cunt,” he said softly.

Even Lucien was surprised by his words. His jaw twitched and he tensed in his seat, his knuckles whitening around his glass. I stared at Federico for a long moment, my heart thudding, and then I realized with a little shock that he was high. There was a bit of sweat on his temple and his mouth was parted just enough I could see the even line of his bottom teeth.

“Control yourself,” said Lucien coldly. “I don’t want a scene at my table.”

Federico sat back slowly as the lights dimmed and Mrs. Venetti climbed the stairs to the stage at the far end of the room. There was a flurry of activity as two volunteers attempted to get the microphone to work. Then the room feel silent, all eyes forward. Beneath the table, Federico put his hand on my thigh, gripping me hard.

“Thank you all so much for coming to the St. Bede’s School benefit,” she said. “Now, let’s have a little fun since it’s getting late and we’ve all had a few drinks. If the single ladies and gentlemen would like to listen up, we’ve got a little game.”

“Oh, Christ,” whispered Federico, rolling his eyes.

“Now, we’ve put all the names of the single women here and we’ll draw them from a hat and give you gentlemen a chance to bid on a dance,” Mrs. Venetti said, practically beaming with excitement. “How does that sound?”

There was a smattering of polite applause. I sat back, knowing my name wasn’t in that hat and perfectly happy with it not being there. My husband had died too recently for me to be considered eligible and I wasn’t exactly a hot ticket in a community like ours.

I sat in silence with Lucien and Federico while several embarrassed young women were dragged from the crowd one by one and bid on by equally awkward men. The waiter came by and refilled my glass and I started feeling hazy and warm, my body finally relaxing.

“Enza.” Federico touched my arm.

“What?” I started, turning.

“She just said your name.”

A jolt of shock moved through me and my throat tightened. I blinked rapidly and my eyes focused on Mrs. Venetti peering down from the stage. My mouth went dry and a trickle moved down the back of my neck. Everyone was looking at me, including the men who shared my table.

I composed myself quickly, straightening my shoulders, and stood. Eyes bored into me, perhaps judging, perhaps pitying me, as I crossed the room and stepped onto the platform beside Mrs. Venetti. She hugged me briefly, patting my back.

“You deserve to have a little fun, dear,” she whispered.

This wasn’t my idea of fun, but I could tell she meant well. I flashed her a smile and stepped back, keeping my hands folded primly at my waist. Hopefully at least Federico would bid on a dance so I wouldn’t be left standing on the stage looking like a charity case.

“Can we have a starting bid for the beautiful Mrs. Russo,” said Mrs. Venetti.

Lucien’s cool voice split the room. “A thousand for Mrs. Russo.”

The room rippled with whispers and my throat went dry. He was being foolish, drawing attention to us like that. I sent him a severe look, but he just shrugged.

“Anything to benefit the children,” he said, eliciting a wave of laughter.

“Fifteen hundred,” said Federico, leaning forward.

“How could you?” Lucien said, his mouth twitching. “Two thousand.”

There was a quiet scuffing sound, like someone had pushed back their chair, in the back of the room. I blinked, trying to locate the sound, but it was too dark to see beyond the lights.

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