Signed To The Mafia King - Chapter 81: Chapter 81

ALINA
Gasps sounded around us like firecrackers.
The scent of wine, sweet and sharp, filled the air as a hush fell over our corner of the ballroom.
“Oh no!” Victoria’s voice trembled with false horror. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you there.” She apologized but her eyes were glittering with satisfaction.
I stared down at my dress—Analide’s masterpiece—now soaked in dark red.
I blinked once. Twice. My heartbeat thundered in my ears.
Analide spun toward Victoria, her face frozen. “What the hell is wrong with you?”
“I said I was sorry,” Victoria replied, her tone dripping sugar. “It’s not my fault she wasn’t watching where she was going.”
I clenched my fists at my sides. My nails dug into my palms.
Don’t slap her. Don't slap her.
I begged myself, closing my eyes so I could control my temper.
I wasn't even mad about her pouring an entire glass of wine on my dress, I was mad because the dress was Analide’s and I knew she had spent hours on it.
Analide turned to me, eyes blazing. “Alina, are you okay?”
I nodded once, opening my eyes. “I’m fine.”
People were starting to gather.
Someone whispered while someone else laughed under their breath. And through the blur of it all, I saw Luca.
Luca was on his feet. Already moving towards me, but it was the look on his face that worried me.
He was furious, cold and deadly. A quiet storm wrapped in a tuxedo.
I stepped forward desperately, grabbed Analide’s arm, holding her close, walking away from Victoria. “Where’s the bathroom?”
I didn't want to give that woman the satisfaction of thinking she had won. I could see that Luca was close to losing his temper.
Analide blinked. “What?”
“I need to clean this dress. Now. Before I do something we’ll all regret.”
Victoria tilted her head, mocking concern playing across her features as she followed us. “Such a shame. You’ll probably only get to wear it once now. What a waste. You should really be more careful.”
That did it.
I stopped, turned and hissed at her in a low and venomous voice. “Step away from me, Victoria. Now.”
She blinked, with all innocence. “What? I was just saying…”
“Back off, now!” I snapped, fisting my fingers at my sides.
Before either of us could say another word, the string quartet started up again. The event had officially started.
The tension between us melted into the background noise, but I could still feel it crackling like static electricity.
I turned and nearly collided with Luca.
His eyes raked over me. First my face, then the wine stain, then the woman behind me.
“I’ll be right back,” I said quickly, walking towards the bathroom.
Luca didn’t answer. His jaw was clenched, nostrils flared. His gaze locked on Victoria like he was seconds away from tearing her apart.
I grabbed Analide’s arm again. “Stay with him.”
She blinked eagerly. “What? With Luca?”
“Please. Go. Now. He’s about to do something neither of us can take back.”
She hesitated for half a second, then nodded. “I’m so sorry, Alina. Truly.”
She turned to leave.
“Wait, where’s the bathroom?”
She pointed down a narrow hallway, cheeks flushed. “Second door on the left.”
“Thank you.”
She turned and walked away.
I moved fast, ducking down the hallway before someone else could stop me with a concerned smile or a murmured comment. I shoved the door open and locked it behind me.
The bathroom was pristine and white and blessedly silent.
I placed both palms on the sink and stared into the mirror.
Red. Red across my chest, down the bodice, soaking through the delicate fabric. The fabric was ruined. The moment was ruined. And the fury; the fury was rising so fast I thought it would swallow me whole.
First a bullet. Then a bomb and now this.
It couldn’t be coincidence anymore.
She’s doing this. It’s her. It has to be Victoria.
I grabbed a paper towel, wet it, and dabbed at the dress, my hands shaking. The stain smeared, faded slightly, but it would never fully come out.
Footsteps outside.
I paused, and cleaned my anger off my face as the door opened.
“Sorry,” I called, not looking up. “It’s occupied.”
I heard the footsteps barging in anyway and I knew who it was beforeI turned around slowly.
Victoria stood in the doorway. She didn’t look sorry. She didn’t look flustered, instead, she looked delighted by her evil behavior.
“Oh, Alina,” she said with a breathy laugh, stepping inside and shutting the door behind her. “You really ought to be more careful.”
I stared at her, feeling my head about to conbust. I was breathing hard with rage. “Are you serious right now?”
She shrugged, tilting her hips out as she leaned against the wall. “You bumped into me.”
“You bumped into me!” I snapped.
Her eyes glinted. “That’s not what anyone else saw.”
I took a step forward, my voice razor-sharp. “Why are you here, Victoria? What do you want?”
She gave me a lazy smile. “Why do you assume I want anything?”
“Because you always do. You want my man, but maybe he doesn't want you. Now you're after me. What do you want?”
She leaned against the counter, inspecting her manicure. “I came to support the Talciros. And Riot, of course. He and I have become close. Very close if you know what I mean.”
My stomach turned with disgust. What sort of woman would be with a man like him after knowing what he did? “He’s trying to kill his wife.”
Victoria shrugged again. “And you chopped off his hand. Seems like you two have a lot in common.”
I didn’t blink. “You sent the bomb.”
She lifted her eyes slowly, looking completely unconcerned. “What bomb?”
I fixed my eyes on hers, trying to read her. There was nothing about her body language to say she even knew what I was talking about. “Are you denying it?”
She smiled wider. “If I did… you’d never prove it. But I didn't. But I hope who ever did it manages to get you next time.”
I walked up to her, toe to toe. “You think you’re untouchable. But I promise you, keep coming for me, and you’ll find out just how wrong you are.”
She tilted her head again, mock sympathy coating her features. “This is why Luca will never truly love you, Alina. You’re too angry. Too wild. Men like him need soft women. Gentle women like me.”
“I’m not soft. I’m not gentle. And he doesn’t need me to be.”
She smiled like she was superior. “Then why does he still want me, even though he's married to you?”
I stared her down. “Maybe because unlike you, I don’t need to manipulate men to stay. Maybe because I don’t beg for leftovers even though you'll obviously take them.”
Her face cracked for a second.
Then she laughed. “You think you’ve won. But this night? It’s just the beginning.”
I reached past her and opened the door. “Get out.”
“Don’t worry,” she said sweetly, brushing past me. “I’m done here.”
I watched her walk away like the snake she was.
I stood still for a long moment, breathing hard.