Break All Ties

We danced for just over five minutes before the rest of the world started to catch up to us. The distraction worked well enough. As I danced with him, I forgot for a short amount of time the reason for which we were here. I got lost in his smell and his touch and his general feel. In his quiet laughs and whispers of general nothings.

It wasn't until Luca Columbo was stood at our side in his finely pressed suit that I snapped back to reality.

"Lorenzo," He greeted in that normal condescending voice of his. His blonde hair was gelled back, his brows lifted. "Charlie. It's good to see you both here. I see the invites weren't lost in the post."

Now it was time to fake the pleasantries.

"Thank you for inviting us Mr Columbo." I hooked my arm through Assante's and gave the dumbest smile I could muster. "Lorenzo and I were thinking of hosting a ball of our own. It's going to take a whole lot of working to live up to something this incredible."

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself." His eyes darted from mine to Assante's. "I'm sure it's a lot to marvel for someone from a farm."

After three years, I'd gotten over it. But I kept up the smile none the less.

"Yes, well it is all quite grand. It's a far cry from cornfields."

Assante gave my side a possessive squeeze. "Is there something we can help you with Luca? I'm sure you have lots of people to see tonight. Lots of work to get through."

"I think I saw Ida looking for you," I added on.

"I could do with a dance with a pretty woman before I go deal with her."

Assante hummed. "Well there's plenty of pretty women about in need of partners."

He sent a suggestive wink my way. "I don't suppose you could spare your woman for five minutes, could you Assante?"

His hand on my side tightened. "I'm not so sure about that Luca. Charlie's made a jab about my dancing skills, so now I have to show my wife how it's done."

"Five minutes won't hurt anyone, amici." He clapped Assante's shoulder in an all too friendly gesture. "Five minutes?"

He wasn't going to leave us with a choice.

Grimacing, I gave Assante's arm a squeeze. "It's just five minutes. I'll be fine."

"Charl-"

"I'll see you in five minutes."

Our eyes met.

We had to for the plan. We needed to keep Luca amicable. How else were we going to get him to go along with what we had planned? Against his better judgement, Assante crumbled. He pressed a lingering kiss to my forehead then stepped back. At my ear, he whispered, "Be careful Bellezza."

"I always am." Then, as if that small exchange had never happened, I turned and gave Luca Columbo one of my best smiles.

"So, you're good at dancing?"

He took my hand and gave Lorenzo a cocky smirk. "I'll have her back to you in ten minutes."

The crowds were quick to swallow us.

I pretended to be comfortable as he dragged me alone, pulling me through the crowds until we were somewhere around the centre. Only then did he stop and give me that self-worshipping smile he'd given to Lorenzo.

"Alright farmgirl. Let's see what all the hype is about you."

"I'm sorry?"

He had a hand on my waist and the other on my hand, pulling me roughly through the dancing steps.