Chapter 2

Cass's POV

Conversations around us go quiet. Guests glance our way.

I know exactly why she's asking me this.

In my past life, Vivienne panicked at this exact moment. She couldn't handle the stares and whispers, ran over to argue with the guests, even started a fight. Eleanor showed up and tore into her in front of everyone. "You're an embarrassment to the entire Callahan family!"

From that day on, Eleanor hated her.

I pick up my glass. "He couldn't make it tonight, but I understand. Family business always comes first. I'm sure he's handling something important for the Callahans right now."

The murmuring stops. A few of the older members nod.

Vivienne stiffens. She opens her mouth to say something else, but the club doors swing open.

Eleanor walks in, leaning on that gold-topped cane. The entire room goes silent. Everyone stands.

Eleanor's eyes lock on Vivienne. "What did you just say?"

Vivienne takes a step back. "I was just—"

"What's the first rule of this family?" Eleanor cuts her off.

One of the older members speaks up quietly. "Show respect to the heir and his wife."

Eleanor lets out a cold laugh. "You're questioning where your sister-in-law's husband is. Are you saying she can't control her man? Or are you saying my son isn't doing his job?"

Vivienne's face drains of color.

Eleanor lifts her cane and slams it against the floor. "Only a woman who understands that family business comes first deserves to be a Callahan wife."

Then she turns to me. Her voice softens. "You handled yourself well. My son was at the docks tonight executing three traitors. He couldn't get away. But you've proven you're worth the wait."

Low sounds of agreement ripple through the room.

Vivienne's face turns red.

When dinner shifts into the social hour, I stand in a corner with champagne, watching the crowd. Dominic's not here, and I have no interest in making small talk with strangers.

Vivienne walks over with a glass in her hand, smiling. "Standing here all alone must be so boring. Want to dance?"

Her thoughts hit me. The champagne tower's right behind her. I'll pretend to hug her and shove hard. She'll crash into it. This is going to be good.

I smile politely. "No thanks. I need a break."

Vivienne doesn't give up. She opens her arms. "Come on, don't be like that—"

The second she reaches for me, I step to the side and wave at someone nearby.

Vivienne lunges at empty air and stumbles backward.

Crash.

She slams into the champagne tower behind her. Glass shatters everywhere. Champagne floods the floor. Vivienne lands hard on her ass, her dress soaked through.

Every eye in the room turns to us.

I hold out my hand. "Sorry, I didn't see you there. Are you okay?"

Vivienne climbs to her feet without taking my hand. Her jaw clenches. She can feel everyone staring.

Eleanor stands up from the head table. Her face is like stone. She doesn't even look at Vivienne. Just says to Adrian, ice cold, "Again. Control your woman."

Adrian grabs Vivienne's arm. "Apologize to Eleanor and to your sister-in-law."

Vivienne keeps her head down. "I'm sorry, Eleanor. I'm sorry."

Adrian bows slightly. "I'll make sure she learns her place."

But I hear what's running through his head. Idiot. She's humiliating me.

Eleanor waves them off. Adrian drags Vivienne out of the hall.

I watch them leave.

Vivienne's thoughts are sharp and bitter. This is all her fault. I'll make her pay.

Same as before. Always blaming someone else. Never looking at herself.

---

After dinner ends, someone takes me to a room in the west wing of the estate. The furniture's covered in white sheets. No one's lived here in a while.

I clean up a little, change out of the dress, and sit on the edge of the bed to wait.

Later that night, the door opens.

Dominic walks in wearing a black suit. There are small dark spots on his collar and cuffs. Dried blood. A faint smell of gunpowder hangs around him.

He looks cold and dangerous.

I stand. "You're back."

"Heard about what happened this afternoon." Dominic takes off his jacket and walks to the window. He lights a cigarette. "You did well. My mother told me to come back."

Moonlight spills through the window, outlining his broad shoulders and narrow waist. Even through the shirt, I can see he's built solid.

I'll admit it—the body's tempting. I look away. "I was just doing what I should."

Dominic glances at me. "You're not curious where I was?"

I shake my head. "You were handling family business. That's all I need to know."

Dominic puts out the cigarette and walks over. He crouches in front of me. Even crouched down, he's half a head taller than me. His eyes bore into mine. "Smart. Smarter than I expected."

He pauses. "Let's make a deal. In public, we're the perfect couple. In private, we do our own thing. What do you want?"

I meet his gaze. "I want to learn the family business. Eventually, I want to stand on my own. Not depend on anyone."

Dominic raises an eyebrow. "You want to survive in this world?"

"I just want control over my own life."

Dominic's quiet for a few seconds. Then he nods. "Fine. But you have to prove yourself first. Tomorrow, you're coming with me to the warehouse."

I agree.

He turns and walks to the couch, unbuttoning his cuffs. "You take the bed."

I freeze for a second.

"Don't read into it." Dominic sits down on the couch. His voice is flat. "I just don't want my mother thinking I'm mistreating you."

He pauses and looks up at me. "And don't try to betray me. If you do, you'll find out exactly why they call me the Executioner."

I say quietly, "I understand."