I made my way through the courtyard alone, past the guests in their dark suits and jewels, past the whispers that had already begun to rise again, until I finally reached the front gate where a soldier stepped aside without meeting my eyes.
The moment I stepped toward the exit, a car pulled up abruptly in front of me, cutting off my path.
I stopped.
The tinted back window slowly rolled down.
Luca.
He was sitting inside, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp, fixed directly on me. His glasses rested folded in one hand.
"Get in," he said, his voice low, leaving no room for argument.
For a moment, I didn't move.
Before I could respond, a familiar voice called out from behind me.
"Adriana."
I turned.
Dante stood a few feet away, the compound's iron gate framing him, his face shadowed, his expression darker than I had ever seen it.
His eyes flicked briefly toward the car, then back to me.
"I dare you," he said slowly, each word heavy with warning, "to get in that car."
I hesitated at first, my thumb pressing hard against the silver rosary bracelet at my wrist. Then I opened the door and slid into the leather seat.