Page 17 of Relentless Pursuit

Brown eyes watched me, her lashes fluttered, and crimson filled her face as she blushed.

“Hello, Dominic Lucas.”

Auburn hair fell over her shoulders in layers. She came oddly close to reminding me of Belle from Beauty and The Beast. But she wasn’t my Belle, and even her beauty couldn’t deter the knot in my gut that kept me from recoiling.

Dameon cleared his throat when I didn’t respond. I kept my stare on her, trying to feel something—anything—that would draw me to her.

But I felt ice-cold, and the annoyance inside me because of the fuckery I was in simmered into anger.

“Turn around,” Antonio quipped.

Obediently Milano rotated, giving me a full view of her body’s shape.

I assessed her. She was perfect for someone else, and I couldn’t pretend I was interested, even for the sake of this alliance.

I nodded once to stop the charade and that seemed to be enough to bring a smile to Antonio’s face.

“Milano, you stand with us now.”

She moved to stand next to Rocco and I glanced at Dameon, who had a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon on his face.

“I take it you are pleased, son?”

“Are you?”

Light laughter crooned around the group. “If I were or wasn’t, isn’t the issue. Milano will be your bride. Are you satisfied with her?”

“I disagree, Father. I am your legacy. Your satisfaction is more important than mine because she will have an important role when I step into your position.”

He nodded. “You’re right.” He reached out and grabbed my shoulder, attempting to shake me, but I remained still.

Dameon ran his gaze over Milano again. He liked her, and probably wanted to fuck her. He bit his bottom lip, wiggled his brows, and winked at her.

Glancing back at me, Dameon responded, “She’s perfect.” He glanced at Antonio. “Perfect.”

Antonio nodded, pride filling his chest as it swelled with what I could imagine was relief. This was more important for him than anyone in the room.

His father, Vito Cappalli, had already met the Black Rose. Antonio wanted to make it his business that that fate didn’t find him.

“My goal was to deliver. I’m glad you’ve found Milano favorable in your eyes, Dameon.” He glanced at me. “Dominic.”

I stared at him, but didn’t respond, whereas my father clasped his hands together and took his attention to Riccardo.

“Riccardo, it’s your turn.”

I glanced at Riccardo, who stared at me.

I couldn’t make out what it was in his gaze, but he communicated something. Hesitancy? Apprehension? Indifference?

I squinted at him, and his eyes quickly moved away from mine. He cleared his throat as he looked back at my father, then to his consigliere, Davide.

Davide locked eyes with him and Riccardo nodded.

Davide moved from his side and went to the door; when it opened, a woman entered, and familiar eyes struck mine as soon as she entered the room.

Penelope.

I was still, but her presence made my entire body tense while my gut released the knot that had formed previously.