Chapter - Seven

Aleena - POV

His emerald eyes stared at me with chilling coldness.

“I won’t tell your secret,” I managed to say.

A gunshot echoed in the distance. I froze at the sound. Nico glanced in that direction with an utterly unbothered expression.

“You won’t tell anyone?” he asked.

I nodded. His eyes narrowed. His hands were still wrapped around my wrists. The metallic scent of blood clung to his knuckles, making my stomach churn.

“Please... trust me.” I tried to sound calm, but my voice trembled.

His gaze studied me, weighing whether I was worth trusting. Unease gnawed at me, making my head feel light. Then the pressure on my wrists disappeared. The scent of blood faded with it. He stared at me with an unreadable expression.

“I think I should trust my fiancée to keep a secret.”

His voice was so soft that it terrified me more than if he had shouted.

“Yes,” I answered shakily.

“Go back to the party before that annoying bodyguard shows up.”

I put heels back on, he continued watching me like a predator observing prey. I slowly stepped away from him, trying to gather myself, breathing in and out. I could feel his eyes boring into my back the entire time. Only when I reached the banquet hall did the tension in my chest ease slightly.

“Where have you been?” El walked up to me with a drink in hand.

“I needed a break.” I forced a smile, but Elanor immediately narrowed her eyes.

“Why do you look so nervous?” El asked, stepping in front of me. She studied my face. As if she is trying to solve a puzzle. I didn’t answer. Instead, my eyes searched the room for Caldwell.

“Sis, are you having another panic attack?” El asked.

“Where is Caldwell? ”

“Why ask about him? ”The nervousness in her voice made me look at her. “Did someone try to hurt you? ”

“No one is trying to hurt me, El. Relax. I just need to talk to Caldwell about something.” I tried to smile calmly, but I was sure it wasn't convincing anyone. “Did you see him? ”

“Caldwell? I saw him heading to Dad’s study,” El answered, taking a sip of her wine. Her eyes weren't on me, though.

I frowned. Why would Caldwell be in my father's study room. While the party was still going on?

“Sis, you should be careful of that woman.”

I paused as I started toward my father's study room. Following El's line of sight, I spotted Anastasia chatting with Nico. He looked perfectly composed, as if he hadn't just hurt someone in the basement. There wasn't a trace of blood on his hands or face. Nothing.

Sensing my gaze, he looked at me.

Those same green eyes that had held murderous intent only minutes ago now appeared calm and indifferent. It was enough to make me question whether I'd imagined everything.

Then he looked away. Mostly because Anastasia had his attention. She seemed convinced that every glance he gave me was filled with longing. If only she knew the truth.

I knew what hid behind those cold green eyes.

A warning. A silent promise not to say a word about what I had seen.

“Sis, are you seriously going to let her get away with that? Put that woman in her place,” El said.

I glanced over and saw Nico dancing with Anastasia. Around them, people whispered. The same women I'd overheard gossiping in the bathroom were looking in my direction and murmuring among themselves.

“I don't care,” I said.

“What? Really?” El stared at me in disbelief. “Sis, you're just going to let that woman steal your man? Look at her. She's practically hanging all over him. Ugh, that wench. You should step in, put her in her place, and ask him to dance with you.”

She still thought I liked Nico. I didn't respond. I heard her call my name, but her voice became muffled beneath the music and chatter of the crowd. Instead, I headed toward my father's study. The room was usually heavily guarded, which was why I stopped when I entered the corridor.

No guards. That never happened. A moment later, the study door opened. Caldwell stepped out, slipping something into his jacket pocket. He seemed more alert than usual. His gaze landed on me, and he immediately stopped.

“Ms. Caruso.”

For a split second, he looked surprised to see me.

“Why were you in my dad's study?” I asked. No one was allowed in there without my father's permission.

“Mr. Caruso asked me to bring him a flash drive.” He pulled it out and showed it to me without hesitation.

Maybe he really was closer to my father than I realized.

“You came looking for me, I assume. Is everything alright, Ms. Caruso?”

His tone was calm and professional.

Why had I been looking for him?

Because I was scared?

Because I wanted my bodyguard nearby?

The thought irritated me.

I wasn't someone who relied on others. I'd always depended on my strength.

His blue eyes searched mine with quiet concern. Again, that strange sense of familiarity surfaced, the same feeling I'd been ignoring for the past two weeks.

“Ms. Caruso, did something happen?” he asked He wasn't standing too close, but close enough. There was an emotion in his eyes I couldn't quite identify. It made me feel unexpectedly warm.

Get yourself together, Aleena. The thought brought me back to sanity.

“No. I'm fine.” I took a step back, creating some distance between us.

His hand closed gently around my wrist, stopping me.

“You look like you've seen something terrible.” His voice was low. “You can tell me.”

Anxiety crept through me, recalling the promise. I'd told Nico I wouldn't say anything. I carefully pulled my hand free.

“I'll let you know if something comes up in the future.”

My voice sounded calmer than I felt. For a moment, Caldwell simply looked at me. Then he gave a small nod. We returned to the party. Caldwell resumed his position as my bodyguard, and I hated how relieved that made me feel.

Across the ballroom, my father stood in a corner, looking furious while speaking with Boris, his right-hand man.

“Where have you been hiding, my fiancée?” a familiar voice whispered near my ear. “Lurking around some secret part of the mansion with your bodyguard? ”

I jumped. Nico. His blunt words sent a chill down my spine. I turned toward him. His expression was perfectly stoic, a drink resting casually in his hand. I didn't answer. Instead, I glanced toward Anastasia, who was watching us from across the room.

When I looked back, I noticed Nico's gaze drift toward Caldwell. Caldwell was already looking at him. The tension was subtle but impossible to miss. Neither man looked away. And it felt like they were one bad moment away from tearing each other apart.

“We should dance,” Nico said. I knew he didn't mean dance. He wanted to talk. And I definitely didn't want to hear more threats—or anything else that might be worse.

My mind was still replaying the brutal way he'd hurt that man.

“Caldwell,” I called. Nico's gaze shifted to me.

“Do you know how to waltz? ” I asked Caldwell.

“Yes.” Without hesitation, he extended his hand toward me.

I could feel Nico's eyes on us. I ignored him. Placing my hand in Caldwell's, I let him lead me onto the dance floor. To my surprise, he moved with effortless grace, matching every step perfectly.

“You know how to dance? ” I asked.

“I do.”

“Why am I surprised? ”

“Because seeing a brute like me move this elegantly is shocking? ” he asked.

I raised an eyebrow.

“Something like that.”

“Aren't you judging me by my appearance? ” he asked. “That's a little rude, you know.”

A laugh almost escaped me.

“I didn't mean—”

“I learned to dance for my crush. I wanted to take her to prom.”

The confession caught me off guard.

“That’s actually sweet. Did you get the chance to take her? ”

“No.” His answer was simple. For a moment, his eyes met mine. Then they shifted away, scanning the room out of habit. I spun beneath his arm as he guided me through another turn.

Around us, I could feel people staring. Some were whispering. Probably because I was dancing with my bodyguard instead of my fiancé.

The thought almost made me smile. Then the music abruptly stopped. The room fell silent. Murmurs immediately spread through the crowd. Caldwell and I both turned toward the commotion. A crowd was gathering near one side of the ballroom. My stomach dropped. Nico's father was lying motionless on the floor.

“Call the paramedics! ”My father shouted.

“Dad!” Nico pushed through the crowd and dropped to his knees beside him.

For the first time that night, something cracked in his carefully controlled expression.

He checked his father's pulse. Then his breathing. Finally, Nico looked up.

“He's dead.” The words came out barely above a whisper. Shock rippled through the crowd.