Chapter 5 - The Dance of the SovereignThe surrounding socialites whispered nervously behind their crystal glasses, waiting for the feared Don of Chicago to cold-shoulder the unknown dance teacher.
Gabriel didn't draw a weapon. He didn't yell.
He slowly turned his storm-dark eyes onto Victoria Russo. The sheer, freezing temperature in his gaze made Victoria stumble backward half a step, her face draining of color.
"Victoria," Gabriel spoke, his voice carrying cleanly across the silent ballroom. "Miss Claire Donovan is not my date."
Victoria’s lips curled into a victorious smirk—until Gabriel continued.
"She is the future Donna of the Moretti family," Gabriel announced deadpan, every word dropped into the room like a slab of cold granite. "And as of eight o’clock tomorrow morning, your father’s corporate shipping contract with my family is permanently terminated for your lack of manners."
Victoria let out a sharp, choked shriek of pure terror as her father rushed forward, grabbing her arm, dragging her away into the crowd while bowing frantically to Gabriel in apology.
Gabriel didn't look at them. He turned back to me, extending his broad hand with an unshakeable, gentle reverence.
"May I have this dance, Claire?" Gabriel asked softly.
I placed my hand in his, feeling his strong fingers close around mine. "Always, Gabriel."
We walked onto the center of the polished marble dance floor as the sixty-piece orchestra launched into a sweeping, majestic waltz.
Gabriel wrapped his broad right hand around my waist, pulling my curvy body flush against his broad chest, guiding me through a breathtaking, high-speed spin that made my emerald silk dress flare out like a green star under the crystal chandeliers.
He didn't look at the three hundred guests watching us in total awe. He looked only at me.
"You move like a queen, Claire," Gabriel whispered into my ear, sweeping me into a flawless, low dips that made the entire ballroom gasp in breathless admiration.
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"I had a very good teacher, Gabriel," I laughed softly, looking up into his storm-gray eyes as he pulled me back up against his beating heart.
"No, my love," Gabriel promised softly, pressing his lips gently against mine in a deep, sweet, unhurried kiss that sealed our future before the entire city. "You were the teacher. I was just the man lucky enough to be found by you."
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