Chapter 5: The Fundraiser

Simo refuses to let me go. He stands his ground against his father, his voice dropping into a tone that is both cold and final. “I made a promise to her, Dad. We had a deal, and I intend to keep it.”

Silas is absolutely pissed, his face reddening as he grips his cane. “What sort of stupid deal is that? Harboring her here will only attract enemies we don’t need. You’re bringing a target into this house!”

“She is under my protection,” Simo counters, his grip on my waist tightening, pulling me flush against his side as if to emphasize his point.

Silas lets out a harsh, mocking laugh. “The fundraiser party is tomorrow night. You cannot be seen with her there. If you walk into that room with an Ambrose on your arm, it will spark a war. Do you understand the enemies you’ll be inviting to our table?”

I try to open my mouth to speak, to say something to the man who looks at me like I’m a disease, but Simo won’t let me. He cuts me off before I can even draw a breath.

“I told you, I will handle it,” he says to me, his gaze never leaving Silas. He looks at the guards standing by the foyer. “Take those shopping bags up to the room. Now.”

The guards move quickly, gathering the bags and heading up the stairs while I stand there with my heart aching. I feel like a pawn in a game I don’t fully understand.

Silas steps closer to Simo, his eyes narrowed to slits. “You are being a fool. She is a liability.”

“She has the codes,” Simo insists, his jaw set in a hard line. “I will protect her, and I will protect what she knows. That is the end of it.”

Silas looks at me one last time, his eyes filled with a pure, unfiltered anger that makes my blood run cold. He doesn’t say another word. He turns on his heel and walks out of the mansion, the heavy thud of his cane marking his exit, while his bodyguards follow him out into the night.

 Once the door slams shut, Simo finally turns to me, his eyes dark with a mixture of fury and something else I can’t name, and he whispers, “I hope for your sake those codes are worth the war I’m about to start.”

Later in the night, I am up waiting for Simo. The tension from the afternoon is still humming in my veins, making sleep impossible. When he finally walks inside the bedroom, he looks exhausted but still carries that untouchable aura of power.

“Thank you,” I say, my voice small in the large room. “For standing up for me against your father.”

He doesn’t stop moving as he reaches for his tie. “I don’t break my promises, Ria. I told you that you were under my protection, and I meant it.”

He begins to undress right there in the middle of the room, pulling his shirt over his head. I feel a jolt of shock go through me. I don’t want to see him naked, not when my heart is already doing gymnastics in my chest. I quickly turn around, facing the other side of the room to avoid the sight of his bare skin.

“What are you doing?” Simo asks, his voice laced with amusement.

“I’m about to sleep,” I lie, my back still turned to him.

“You’re a terrible liar,” he murmurs.

I hear the sound of the bathroom door closing and the spray of the shower. A while later, the water stops, and I hear him walk back into the room. When I risk a glance, he is wearing only a pair of short pants. I can fully see his thick, muscled laps and the tattoos that disappear into the waistband. He climbs onto the bed, the mattress sinking under his weight, and leans over me with a teasing glint in his eyes.

“You might have me at your mercy,” I say, my voice blunt and sharp. “But I am not your toy, Simo.”

He doesn’t pull back. Instead, he reaches out and cups my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You have so much fire,” he whispers, his thumb brushing over my lower lip. He starts to tease me with dirty words, describing exactly how he wants to eat my pussy after tasting me on his finger the other day.

I try to resist, pushing against his chest. “You can’t have me.”

He lets out a low, dark laugh. “I will have you, Ria. And you’re going to love it because I’m going to be so deep inside you that you’ll forget your own name.”

I feel my core turn wet at his words, the betrayal of my own body making me flush with heat. He watches my reaction with satisfaction.

“We’re going to the fundraiser tomorrow,” he says, finally pulling back. “Be ready.”

I nod, too drained to argue anymore, and eventually drift into a restless sleep.

The next morning, after breakfast, I find a moment of peace sitting at the balcony, watching the sun hit the estate grounds. The peace is short-lived. Katya walks up to me, her face a mask of cold hostility.

“Stay away from Simo,” she warns, her voice low and sharp. “You’re a distraction he doesn’t need. Once Silas gets his way, you’ll be nothing but a memory.”

I hate being pushed around. I stand up, smoothing out my shirt as I look her dead in the eye. “If Simo wanted me away from him, he wouldn’t have me in his bed. Maybe you should spend more time doing your job and less time worrying about where I sleep.”

I don’t give her a chance to respond. I walk out of the balcony, leaving her standing there in a silent rage.

Later in the night, it’s finally time to prepare for the fundraiser party. I slip into the sexy red silk gown Simo suggested I wear. The fabric feels like water against my skin, clinging to every curve and glowing under the vanity lights. When Simo walks in and sees it on me, a look of pure pride settles on his face. He walks over, his eyes roaming my body with a dark intensity.

“You look incredibly sexy, Ria,” he teases, his voice a low growl of approval. “And far too hot for the company we’re about to keep.”

We head out, and the moment we step into the fundraiser, the atmosphere shifts. All eyes in the ballroom turn toward us, especially me. I can feel the weight of a hundred stares—some filled with curiosity, but others are looks that could kill. Simo doesn’t seem to care. He slides his hand firmly onto my waist, claiming me like I’m his priciest possession. He walks me through the crowd with a calm, arrogant confidence.

A group of men in expensive suits walks up to us to exchange greetings. When they look at me and ask for an introduction, Simo doesn’t give them my name. He just tightens his grip on my hip and says, “She is my woman.”

I play my part, acting the role of the loyal companion, keeping my head high even as the tension in the room rises. Simo makes a massive donation, an amount that draws even more attention and whispers from the elite crowd.

Eventually, the heat and the eyes become too much. I excuse myself to ease my mind and walk to the restroom. While I’m at the mirror, I meet a lady named Catherine. She is dark-skinned and breathtakingly beautiful.

“I love your gown,” she says, her voice smooth and observant.

“Thank you,” I respond, trying to be polite. “I appreciate that.”

She tilts her head, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studies my face. “You look exactly like the Ambrose girl.”

My heart skips a beat, a cold jolt of fear running through me. I force a stiff smile and lie quickly. “No, I’m not her. You must be mistaken.”

She doesn’t look convinced at all, but I don’t give her another second to talk. I turn and walk straight back to the table. I lean in and quietly tell Simo that we have to leave right now.

“Why?” he asks, his expression sharpening instantly.

“Someone might have recognized me,” I whisper.

Simo understands immediately. He doesn’t hesitate. He stands up and holds me close as we weave through the crowd and exit the building. We reach the car and hop in, the doors locking with a heavy thud. Just as Simo is about to start the engine, I look over at him and my breath hitches in my throat.

A bright red laser dot appears on Simo’s chest, dancing right over his heart, and I freeze in absolute shock.