Chapter 1 - The Public Claiming
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Gasps rippled through the crowd.
The sound was a collective intake of breath from three hundred of Chicago’s most powerful people. Dominic Russo, a man known for his icy demeanor and lethal reputation, had just publicly bowed to a woman his ex-fiancée had called a joke.
Victoria Montgomery’s face drained of color. Her perfect, aristocratic features twisted into a mask of sheer disbelief.
"Dominic," Victoria stammered, stepping forward. "What are you doing? She’s a glorified accountant."
Dominic slowly turned his head. His eyes, usually a calm and calculating gray, were pitch black with a rage so profound it made the air in the ballroom feel heavy.
"You just threw wine on my wife," Dominic said.
His voice did not rise. It didn't have to. It cut through the dead silence of the room like a serrated blade.
"Your... your wife?" Victoria laughed, a high, panicked sound. "Don't be ridiculous. Everyone knows you're single. You're just trying to embarrass me."
"The only person embarrassing you is yourself, Victoria," Dominic replied smoothly. He gestured to the two massive security guards standing near the ballroom entrance. "You asked my men to remove someone from this room."
Victoria lifted her chin, trying to salvage her shattered pride. "I did. She doesn't belong here."
"I agree," Dominic said softly. He looked at his guards. "Escort Miss Montgomery out of my hotel. If she resists, drag her. If she ever steps foot in one of my properties again, break her legs."
Victoria gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "Dominic! You can't do this! My family—"
"Your family lost its leverage the day you ran to Paris," Dominic interrupted, his tone lethal. "Get her out of my sight."
The guards moved instantly, grabbing Victoria by the arms and dragging her, kicking and screaming, toward the exit.
May you like
Dominic didn't watch her leave. He turned back to Clara, gently adjusting his tuxedo jacket over her stained dress.
"Let's go home," he whispered.
