Chapter 5 - The Midnight Contract
"First condition: Lily never sees any violence, intimidation, or family hostility," I said firmly, counting on my fingers. "Second: I keep my job at the hospital. I worked too hard for my nursing degree to abandon it for a fake ring. Third: If Tyler Vance ever comes near my daughter, you handle it through legal channels, not whatever back-alley methods your family uses."
Giovanni listened without interrupting, his expression unreadable. When I finished, he tilted his head.
"Acceptable," he said. "Though regarding your third condition, sometimes legal channels are far too slow for men like Tyler. But I will abide by your wishes unless Lily's safety is compromised."
Before I could answer, the glass doors opened, and a silver-haired woman stepped onto the balcony. She was draped in emerald satin and diamonds that could have paid off my student loans ten times over. Her eyes, sharp and predatory, locked onto me instantly.
"Giovanni," the woman said, her voice dripping with ice. "I wondered where you had disappeared to. The ambassador is asking for you inside."
"Beatrice," Giovanni acknowledged calmly, not moving an inch away from me. "I was just introducing my wife to the gardens."
Beatrice froze. Her gaze swept over my thrifted navy gown, lingering on my bare neck where no heirlooms hung, before settling on Giovanni’s jacket wrapped around my shoulders. A sneer touched her lips.
"Wife?" she laughed dismissively. "Do not be absurd. You were seen dancing with this... person. Who is she? One of the caterers?"
The insult stung, but before I could speak, Giovanni took my hand and raised it to his lips, kissing my knuckles with deliberate slowness.
"Her name is Jessica Fierro," he said, his voice dropping into that terrifyingly quiet register. "And if you ever insult her again, Aunt Beatrice, I will revoke your access to the family trust before midnight."
Beatrice’s face turned an ugly shade of plum. "Your father would turn in his grave! You threw away an alliance with the Vances for a nobody?!"
"I choose my own alliances," Giovanni replied cold as granite. "Jessica and I were wed privately in Monaco three weeks ago. The paperwork will be filed with the family registry on Monday. If you wish to challenge it, call the board."
Beatrice swallowed hard, her chest heaving with silent rage. She shot me a look of pure hatred before turning on her heel and marching back into the warmth of the ballroom.
"Monaco?" I whispered, staring at him. "We've never been to Monaco!"
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"The Fierro family records department works fast when well-funded," Giovanni murmured, slipping an arm around my waist to guide me toward the private side exit. "Come. A car is waiting. Let’s go collect Lily."
***
