Chapter 1 - THE HANDKERCHIEF AND THE WARNING
Declan reached inside his jacket.
For one terrifying second, Kalantha thought the entire ballroom was about to discover what his jealousy could cost.
Then he withdrew a white linen handkerchief.
He held it out.
Kalantha stared.
“What?”
Declan's pale eyes moved toward her left hand.
“You're bleeding.”
She looked down.
A thin red line crossed her palm.
She hadn't noticed.
The clasp of her evening bag had broken earlier, and the sharp metal edge must have cut her.
Akira Gordon stepped closer.
“Are you all right?”
“I'm fine,” Kalantha said.
Declan's jaw tightened.
“Let me see.”
She looked at him.
“No.”
The word landed between them like a glass breaking.
Declan went still.
Around them, the orchestra continued playing.
Three hundred guests pretended not to watch.
Kalantha lifted her chin.
“I said I'm fine.”
Declan's gaze moved from her face to Akira.
Then back again.
For a moment, something dangerous flickered behind his eyes.
But he didn't touch her.
He simply folded the handkerchief and placed it on the nearest table.
“For your hand,” he said.
Then he turned toward Akira.
“Mr. Gordon.”
Akira's expression changed.
“You know me?”
Declan smiled without warmth.
“I know your father.”
Akira swallowed.
“Of course.”
Declan looked at Kalantha.
“Enjoy your evening.”
Then he walked away.
Kalantha stood motionless.
That was worse than shouting.
Worse than grabbing her arm.
Declan had never been a man who made scenes.
He made decisions.
And other people lived with the consequences.
Akira cleared his throat.
“Did I just offend someone important?”
Kalantha laughed bitterly.
“You could say that.”
He looked toward Declan.
“Should I apologize?”
“No.”
She took the handkerchief.
Pressed it against her palm.
Then looked at Akira.
“You didn't do anything wrong.”
He studied her.
“Are you sure?”
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Across the ballroom, Leo approached.
His expression was furious.
“What were you thinking?”
Kalantha looked at him.
“I was dancing.”
“With Akira Gordon?”
“Yes.”
Leo lowered his voice.
“Declan doesn't like surprises.”
Kalantha stared.
“Then perhaps he should stop arranging my life.”
Leo went silent.
Two years.
Two years since her father had brought her to Declan's estate.
Two years since she'd been told that living under the protection of New York's most feared mafia boss was the only way to keep her family safe.
Two years of expensive dresses.
Private drivers.
Security guards.
Rules.
Always rules.
And tonight, she'd broken one.
She'd danced with another man.
At midnight, Kalantha returned to the estate.
Declan was waiting in the library.
He stood beside the fireplace.
A glass of whiskey rested untouched on the table.
“Did you enjoy yourself?”
Kalantha stopped in the doorway.
“Yes.”
He looked at her.
“Good.”
She frowned.
That wasn't what she'd expected.
Declan continued.
“Akira Gordon is a decent man.”
Kalantha stared.
“You investigated him?”
“I know his family.”
“Of course you do.”
Declan looked at her.
“Did he make you uncomfortable?”
“No.”
“Did he touch you without permission?”
“No.”
“Then I have no complaint.”
Kalantha laughed.
“You looked like you wanted to kill him.”
Declan's jaw tightened.
For the first time, he looked away.
Then he said quietly:
“That was my problem.”
Kalantha froze.
Declan turned back.
“Not yours.”
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Kalantha asked:
“Are you jealous?”
Declan looked at her.
His expression didn't change.
But his answer did.
“Yes.”
The honesty startled her.
She swallowed.
“Why?”
Declan took a breath.
“Because I wanted to be the man you were dancing with.”
Kalantha's heart began racing.
He continued.
“But wanting something doesn't give me the right to take it.”
She stared.
For two years, Declan had controlled every part of her life.
And now he was standing in front of her admitting that he wanted something he couldn't demand.
Kalantha looked down at the bloodstained handkerchief.
Then whispered:
“Then perhaps it's time you stopped treating me like a debt.”
May you like
Declan closed his eyes.
And for the first time since she'd known him, he had no answer.
