Chapter 14 - The Gala of Wolves
A week later, the underground world of Chicago was holding its breath.
With Don Kensington dead, the power vacuum threatened to tear the city apart.
To prevent a civil war, the Five Families called a summit.
It wasn't held in a smoky back room.
It was held in the grand ballroom of the city's most exclusive hotel under the guise of a charity gala.
Leo was expected to attend to claim Kensington's territory.
And he wasn't going alone.
Beatrice stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror of the Rossi master suite.
She was breathless.
The dress Leo had commissioned for her was a masterpiece of black velvet and intricate lace.
It hugged her curves flawlessly, making her look like a dark, regal goddess.
Her hair was swept up into an elegant twist, and diamond earrings sparkled in the low light.
She looked terrifyingly beautiful.
Leo walked up behind her.
He placed his hands on her bare shoulders, his dark eyes meeting hers in the mirror.
"You are going to bring the entire city to its knees tonight," Leo murmured.
Beatrice's stomach did a nervous flip.
"They are going to judge me, Leo."
She turned around to face him.
"They know I was your maid. They know I'm not some mob heiress."
"They know you put a bullet in Victoria Kensington," Leo corrected smoothly.
He traced his thumb along her collarbone.
"They know you possess more courage in your little finger than their entire bloodlines."
Leo pulled a small, velvet box from his suit pocket.
He snapped it open.
Inside resting on black satin was a breathtaking ruby ring surrounded by crushed diamonds.
It was massive, heavy, and undeniably a statement of absolute ownership and protection.
Beatrice gasped, covering her mouth with her hands.
"Leo..."
"I don't just want you in my house, Beatrice," Leo said softly.
He took her left hand, sliding the heavy, cold metal onto her ring finger.
It fit perfectly.
"I want you by my side. Tonight, tomorrow, and until the day I die."
He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing the knuckles just above the ring.
"Will you let me claim you, Beatrice?"
Beatrice looked at the man who had terrified the city but treated her like glass.
She looked at the father who would burn the world to the ground for his daughter.
"Yes," Beatrice whispered, a tear of pure joy escaping her eye.
"Always."
Leo’s eyes darkened with raw emotion.
He didn't bother with a gentle kiss.
May you like
He pulled her into him, capturing her lips with a fierce, possessive hunger that stole all the breath from her lungs.
"Let's go show the wolves who rules this city," Leo growled against her mouth.
