Chapter 5 - The Gala and the Trap
The ballroom was filled with chandeliers, cameras, champagne glasses, and people who smiled without meaning it.
Harper felt like an imposter.
Vincent looked completely at home.
He wore a black tuxedo.
She wore the blue gown.
When they entered together, conversations stopped.
Every head turned.
Harper realized the rumors had already spread.
The notorious Vincent Romano had married a waitress.
The city wanted to know why.
Cameras flashed.
Vincent placed one hand gently against Harper’s back.
The touch was unexpectedly reassuring.
“Smile.”
“I am.”
“You look terrified.”
“I am terrified.”
“Good.”
Harper looked at him.
“Good?”
“Terrified people pay attention.”
They moved through the crowd.
Harper noticed several men watching Vincent.
One looked nervous.
One looked angry.
One looked amused.
And one looked shocked.
That man was Vincent’s chief financial officer, Adrian Cole.
When Adrian saw Harper, he nearly dropped his glass.
Vincent noticed.
“So,” Harper whispered, “he's the one?”
“I didn't say that.”
“But you saw his face.”
“Yes.”
A woman approached.
Tall.
Elegant.
Perfectly dressed.
She touched Vincent’s arm.
“Vincent.”
Harper immediately noticed the intimacy.
“Claire,” Vincent said coldly.
The woman smiled at Harper.
“So this is your miracle wife.”
Harper forced a smile.
“Apparently.”
Claire laughed.
“I heard she works at a diner.”
“I did.”
“How charming.”
Vincent’s expression darkened.
“Don't.”
Claire raised her eyebrows.
“I’m only being friendly.”
“No.”
Claire looked at him.
“You never change.”
Vincent stepped closer to Harper.
“I have.”
Claire’s smile disappeared.
She walked away.
Harper watched her.
“Who was she?”
“No one.”
“You say that about everyone.”
“That is because almost everyone is no one.”
Harper rolled her eyes.
“You are exhausting.”
He looked at her.
“You're smiling.”
“I’m trying not to scream.”
“That counts.”
The orchestra began playing.
Vincent held out his hand.
“Dance.”
“I don't know how.”
“I do.”
His hand closed around hers.
They stepped onto the dance floor.
For several moments, the world disappeared.
Harper expected him to be stiff.
He wasn't.
He moved with effortless confidence.
“You've done this before,” she whispered.
“Many times.”
“With other wives?”
“No.”
“Girlfriends?”
“No.”
“Then who?”
“My sister.”
Harper looked up.
Vincent's expression was distant.
“She made me practice.”
Harper's heart tightened.
“I’m sorry.”
“I know.”
They kept dancing.
Then Harper saw Adrian leave the ballroom.
A minute later, she slipped away.
She followed him down a corridor.
He entered a private office.
Harper stopped outside.
Voices.
Adrian.
And another man.
“Tomorrow night,” Adrian said. “The ledger will be in the warehouse.”
Another voice answered.
“What about Romano?”
“He'll be distracted.”
“By the waitress?”
Adrian laughed.
“That's the plan.”
Harper's blood turned cold.
She backed away.
A hand covered her mouth.
She struggled.
A whisper came beside her ear.
“Don't scream.”
Harper froze.
She recognized the voice.
Vincent.
He moved her behind a curtain.
Adrian and the other man exited the room.
Neither saw them.
Vincent waited until they disappeared.
Then he looked at Harper.
“You followed him.”
“Yes.”
“You could have been killed.”
“I heard them.”
“What did they say?”
She repeated everything.
Vincent listened carefully.
Then he pulled out his phone.
“Jonah.”
A pause.
“Move the ledger.”
Harper grabbed his arm.
“No.”
He looked at her.
“They know you will move it.”
Vincent's eyes sharpened.
“Exactly.”
“You're setting a trap.”
“Yes.”
“That could get someone killed.”
“I know.”
He looked at her.
“And now you know why I kept you out of my world.”
Harper stepped closer.
“You said I was a prop.”
“I was wrong.”
“What am I now?”
Vincent did not answer.
He looked at her hand.
The wedding ring.
Then back at her face.
“You're the only person in this building whose intentions I understand.”
Harper felt a strange warmth in her chest.
Before she could respond, a gunshot exploded.
People screamed.
Glass shattered.
Vincent pushed Harper to the floor.
Another shot.
He pulled his weapon.
“Stay here.”
“No.”
“Harper.”
“I’m not leaving.”
He looked at her for one second.
Then he ran toward the sound.
Harper crouched behind a column.
Security flooded the ballroom.
The lights flickered.
A man rushed through the crowd.
Harper recognized him.
Adrian.
He was carrying a briefcase.
He looked directly at her.
His eyes widened.
Then he ran.
Harper stood.
“Vincent!”
But Adrian was already gone.
Minutes later, Vincent returned.
His face was hard.
“The ledger is gone.”
Harper’s stomach dropped.
“What?”
“Someone else took it.”
“Who?”
Vincent stared at her.
He slowly removed his gloves.
“Claire.”
Harper's heart sank.
“The woman from earlier?”
“Yes.”
“Was she working with Adrian?”
“No.”
“Then what does she want?”
Vincent’s eyes became cold.
“My company.”
Harper suddenly understood.
Everyone around Vincent wanted something.
His money.
His power.
His secrets.
But Claire wanted control.
Vincent looked at Harper.
May you like
“And now she has evidence that could put me in prison.”
The fake marriage had become far more dangerous than either of them expected.
