Chapter 5 - The Dress Fitting
Friday was a storm of silk, tailor’s chalk, and frantic telephone calls.
The estate had been taken over by a team of high-end stylists, florists, and caterers preparing for the final events. In the primary drawing room, three long racks of formal wear were set up under the glass chandeliers.
Nico was being fitted for his custom midnight-blue tuxedo, complaining loudly as a tailor pinned the hem of his trousers.
"She’s a genius, I'm telling you!" Nico yelled over his shoulder to Marco, who was sitting near the fireplace reading a security manifest. "She wants to sit Sal Valenti next to the Mayor! The man will literally choke on his own lobster!"
Marco didn't look up. "If Valenti chokes on his lobster, it saves us a bullet. I support it."
At the far end of the room, behind a velvet privacy screen, Camille was standing on a small wooden pedestal while a female designer made final adjustments to her gown for the evening.
Lucian had insisted that Camille attend the gala not as an employee, but as his personal guest.
The gown was a masterwork of forest-green satin. It had a deep sweetheart neckline that showed off her voluptuous chest, a cinched waist that highlighted her curves, and a long, sweeping skirt with a thigh-high slit that revealed a glimpse of her smooth, full leg every time she moved.
"It is perfect, mademoiselle," the French designer murmured, pulling a final pin from the hip. "You look like a queen."
The velvet curtain was pulled back.
Lucian was standing five feet away, holding two navy tie swatches.
When he saw Camille, his hand froze in mid-air. The tie swatches dropped to the floor.
Silence hit the drawing room like a physical blow.
Nico stopped arguing with his tailor. Marco lowered his security manifest. The three assistants holding garment bags stood frozen.
Lucian stepped toward the pedestal, his eyes fixed on Camille. His breath came out slow and heavy.
Camille felt a sudden blush creeping up her neck, but she kept her shoulders back, her chin high, accepting his gaze. "Is it too much?" she asked softly.
"It is not enough," Lucian said, his voice raw, thick with an emotion he couldn't hide. "You are... incredible, Camille."
"She looks like a million bucks!" Nico shouted, clapping his hands together. "Lucian, you look like a homeless guy standing next to her! Go change!"
Lucian ignored his brother completely. He stepped onto the low wooden platform beside Camille, reaching out to offer her his hand to help her step down.
His fingers locked around hers. They were warm, strong, and steady.
"If you wear this dress tomorrow night," Lucian whispered, leaning down so only she could hear him, "no one in that ballroom will be looking at the Mayor. Or the donors. Or my brother."
"And where will they be looking?" Camille asked, her hazel eyes sparkling with a subtle, daring challenge.
"They will be looking at you," Lucian said, his gray eyes darkening. "And I will have to shoot three people before dessert."
Camille let out a soft, melodious laugh that seemed to echo off the high ceilings of the estate. "That would be terrible manners, Mr. Moretti."
"I am willing to compromise my etiquette," Lucian murmured, his thumb stroking the back of her wrist where her pulse was jumping wildly, "for certain exceptional circumstances."
Nico cleared his throat loudly from across the room. "Hey! Lovebirds! Some of us have to get our pants hemmed! Can we save the romantic tension for after the charity event?"
Lucian did not let go of Camille’s hand. He turned his head slowly toward his brother, his eyes narrowing into two icy slits.
"Nico," Lucian said quietly.
"Yes, my beloved older brother?"
"If you do not shut your mouth in three seconds, I will assign you to sit next to the auxiliary treasurer for the entire evening."
Nico’s jaw dropped in genuine horror. "Not Mrs. Higgins! She talks about her cats for four hours!"
"Two seconds," Lucian said.
Nico immediately covered his mouth with both hands and turned back to his tailor.
May you like
Camille looked up at Lucian, her smile warm and deep. "You are getting better at managing your threats."
"I am learning from the best," Lucian said, finally releasing her hand, though his eyes remained fixed on hers until she stepped back behind the curtain.
