Chapter 6

Cass's POV

Over the next few days, I learn a lot from Dominic.

That evening, he says out of nowhere, "Come with me tonight."

We drive for twenty minutes and pull up in front of a building that doesn't look like much. Black walls, no sign, just two guys in suits standing guard at the door.

Inside is a different story. Crystal chandeliers, leather furniture, jazz drifting through the air. This is the Ace of Spades, the family's private club.

Tonight's the monthly VIP night.

Everyone stops talking when they see Dominic. They nod respectfully. He walks straight to the VIP room at the very back, the one only the heir gets to use.

A few people are already sitting inside. All core family members. Dominic takes the head seat, then pats the spot next to him.

When I sit down, heads turn. Everyone's staring.

Dominic leans in and says quietly, "Remember these faces. You'll be doing business with them eventually."

I nod, studying each person carefully.

Right then, two more people walk in. Vivienne and Adrian.

Vivienne's wearing a low-cut evening dress, holding onto Adrian's arm. But their seats are in the regular area, way out on the edge, far from the VIP room.

Adrian's making small talk with some lower-level members. Vivienne stands beside him, pouring his drinks, handing him cigars. She's acting like a servant.

She looks up toward the VIP room. Her eyes land on me. Shock flashes across her face.

I hear her thoughts.

How is this possible? How is she sitting there? Dominic should have locked her up at home!

I look away, pretending I didn't see her.

Dominic spends the whole night talking business with the core members. Sometimes he asks what I think, gets my opinion. This kind of treatment makes it clear to everyone that I'm not just decoration.

Vivienne stays on the outside the whole time, pouring drinks and lighting cigarettes for Adrian.

Halfway through the gathering, Dominic's discussing dock operations with a partner. I'm sitting quietly beside him, listening to their conversation.

Vivienne walks into the VIP room carrying a bottle.

She walks up to Dominic and dips her head respectfully. "Mr. Callahan, Adrian asked me to bring this over. He thought you'd like it."

Dominic nods but doesn't say anything.

Vivienne sets the bottle on the table, then turns to me with this concerned look. "Cass, you don't look so good. Are you feeling okay? Want me to help you go rest?"

Sounds thoughtful enough. But everyone in the room catches the real meaning.

She's implying Dominic's been hurting me.

I smile faintly. "I'm fine. But what's wrong with you? Your hands keep shaking. Nervous?"

Vivienne's face freezes.

She tries to hide her hands fast, but it's too late. When she was pouring, her sleeve slid up a little, showing clear bruises and marks around her wrist.

The kind you get from being tied up for a long time.

A woman sitting nearby gasps. "Oh my God, what's that on your—"

Everyone's staring at Vivienne's wrist now.

Vivienne goes pale. She yanks her sleeve down. "This... I just bumped into something..."

It's a weak excuse. Worse, she panics and her hand shakes while pouring, spilling wine all over the papers in front of Dominic.

The entire VIP room goes dead silent.

Vivienne just stands there, face white, not knowing what to say.

Then she loses it completely.

She points at me, voice sharp. "It's her! She set me up on purpose! Dominic hasn't even touched you! What right do you have to sit there!"

Everyone's frowning. Here, appearances matter most. Losing control in public like this is seriously rude.

Two lifetimes and she still hasn't learned.

Dominic watches all of this coldly.

When Vivienne finally stops yelling, he speaks slowly. "What's the rule when someone loses it at a VIP event?"

One of the older members answers quietly. "Disciplinary room."

Dominic turns toward the door. Adrian just rushed over from the outer seats, looking furious.

"Get her out of here." Dominic's voice is calm.

Adrian hurries forward and grabs Vivienne. "Yes, sir."

I hear what's running through Adrian's head.

Stupid bitch! She embarrassed me! I hope she dies in there!

Adrian drags Vivienne out of the room. She tries to struggle, but his grip's like iron.

After they leave, Dominic says to everyone, "Continue."

The gathering picks up again, like nothing happened.

He stands and looks at me. "Come with me."

I follow him out of the VIP room, through a hallway, up to the rooftop. Night wind blows past. The city lights flash below us.

Dominic lights a cigarette and stands by the railing with his back to me.

After a few seconds of silence, he says, "You handled that well."

I freeze for a second. "What?"

"Just now. That whole scene." Dominic turns around. "You stayed calm the entire time. The more you explain, the guiltier you look. Best way to handle it is let them expose themselves."

I nod.

Dominic looks at me. "But what she said... does it bother you?"

"What part?"

"Her implying I hurt you." Dominic's tone is casual. "All those people heard it. Does it bother you that they might think that?"

I shake my head. "I don't care what people think."

Dominic smiles slightly. "What about what I think? Do you care about that?"

The question catches me off guard.

Dominic steps closer, voice dropping lower. "She also said I haven't even touched you."

"Does that... bother you?"