Part 2: “Damn it,” he breathed.

Through the glass, Garrett released Emma’s wrist with a shove. She staggered, caught herself, straightened. That was what did it. Not the bruise. Not the man. The straightening.

Dominic watched her pull herself back together because no one in that house would do it for her.

Minutes later, she ran into him in the ballroom and spilled whiskey down his white shirt.

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered, looking up before she realized whom she had struck.

The same eyes. The same fight. The same effort to hold herself perfectly still.

Dominic did not answer quickly enough. He was too busy noticing the bruise blooming on her wrist, four dark finger marks and one thumbprint, fresh beneath the diamonds around her bracelet.

Emma followed his gaze and hid the bruise.

That small movement, that practiced little cover, angered him more than Garrett’s grip had.

Now, beneath the rose arch, Garrett’s smile cracked.

“Uncle Dominic,” he said, trying to laugh. “A little dramatic, even for you.”

Dominic walked forward.

The crowd parted without being asked. Security men near the doors turned toward him, not Garrett, not Charles Whitlock, not Marcus Baines, Garrett’s father and Dominic’s longtime partner.

Dominic stopped in front of Garrett.

“Lower your hand.”

Garrett’s jaw tightened. For half a second, pride made him stupid. Then survival reached him, and his hand dropped.

Marcus stepped forward, smooth and gray-haired, his face arranged into calm.

“Dominic, this is family business.”

Dominic looked at him.

“This is my house.”

The room chilled.

“My house. My protection. My approval.” Dominic’s eyes moved over the guests. “And I withdraw it.”

A glass slipped from someone’s fingers and shattered on the marble.

Charles Whitlock’s face lost color. “Mr. Russo, surely this is a misunderstanding.”

“No,” Dominic said. “The misunderstanding is that anyone believed I would allow a woman to be forced into a marriage beneath my roof.” —

I’ve updated the post with the FULL STORY. If you can’t see it [the blue text], try this: In the comment section pick “Most relevant” and switch it to All comments – then see 𝐚 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐱𝐭—𝐭𝐚𝐩 𝐢𝐭 and it will take you to the full story. Enjoy the read!