Page 22 of Stormhold

“I thought only one guest was allowed per invite,” I mumbled to Arkane, who still hadn’t let go of my hand as Mikhail joined us on the deck and was immediately approached by two security guards who spoke to him in hushed tones.

“I’m not just any guest,” Ark replied with a smile, side-eyeing me.

The salty breeze danced on my skin as we waited. “If that’s the case, you should’ve extended the courtesy to your date to at least bring a pocketknife to make her feel safe and all,” I said in a light tone, although we weren’t alone in the sea anymore and anything could happen.

With him, it felt like I didn’t have to be on my guard in a weird way. It felt like it was okay for me to shed every cover and just be myself, even if that would ruin me.

“I won’t let anything happen to you.” The conviction in his voice caught me off guard, and I almost believed him. But the fierce glint in his eyes made my heart skip a beat. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t lying after all.

I didn’t have a chance to reply as Mikhail ushered us forward and Arkane led me with a tight hold. It wasn’t aggressive but rather possessive.

I kept my eyes and ears open as we neared the mansion, and the chatter in the air grew louder. The building was a tall Spanish-style villa spreading across acres of land, with wide-open windows and neatly kept courtyards blooming with flowers of every kind and color.

A few private photographers lined up along the marble entryway, where several couples posed, but as we approached, a silent hush fell, and we kept walking straight inside without stopping.

I noticed how all the flashes abruptly cut off, and the photographers lowered their cameras as Arkane led me inside, with Mikhail a quiet shadow by our side.

The expansive banquet hall was lit in low golden lights, with open walls overlooking the courtyard and the dark, crashing waves of the ocean beyond. Deep red round high tables filled the space with tapestries and Victorian crown chandeliers. The floors were polished Italian marble in deep amber tones, matching the high columns and the wall frames in the room.

The place was brimming with opulence. Everyone was dressed in high-fashion couture and the finest jewelry in the face of the earth.

And all eyes fought to catch a glimpse of the man next to me. Even the air around us radiated with true authority. It was like everybody in the room knew who was truly in power. I studied as many faces as I could. I’d already done my research on a few of the key attendees, but aside from that, I hadn’t met anyone in person.

“Mr. Stormhold.” A man with too wide a smile approached us. I recognized him as Carmine Galiano, the head of the Galiano family. He was old, around late sixties, with olive skin, peppery hair, and sunken wrinkles. His wife, Lorna Galiano, stood next to him like an obedient wife, wearing a layered sapphire necklace that matched her flowy dress. “It’s an honor to have you here.”

“Likewise, Galiano,” Arkane replied in his firm business voice. Made me realize that he never used that tone with me. It wasn’t like I was anything special. Maybe this was how he spoke with all his friends. But I shouldn’t forget that at the end of the day, I wasn’t really his friend.

Arkane had already told me he wouldn’t be introducing me to make it seem like I was just another insignificant date, and I was perfectly fine with it. But even then, I felt curious eyes on me. The interest in the air was heavy.

Galiano and Arkane exchanged a few words before we were led to our table, and again, I could feel all the invisible eyes trailing us. The table was by a two-wall corner, offering a full view of the hall—keeping us out of the windows’ blind spot.

Arkane Stormhold took his security very seriously. I would, too, if there were several million bounties on my head on top of unknown threats trying to take me down. He led a difficult life that not many could understand, but I wanted to for some reason.

“What usually transpires in these events?” I asked in a low whisper just as another guest left after greeting Arkane. Only a few had the privilege to even talk to him. Most were stopped by Mikhail before they even got the chance to get within a few feet of him. Even though he didn’t include me in his small talk, he kept me close with his arm around my waist, just like he’d promised.

“For the men, a chance to close a business deal and indulge in anything other than their wives,” Arkane said in a casual tone. “And for the women to compare notes on the latest gossip or find their next wallet.”

“Your world must be exhausting,” I said, softer than intended as I watched him closely.

Some unrecognizable emotion crossed his eyes as his gaze found mine. “It is,” he said, honestly. He looked like he belonged here, but then he also looked like a lost child who didn’t have the chance to grow up normal, and my heart ached at that.

“Harvey Walter’s isn’t here yet,” I said, swaying my eyes back to the crowd. After watching for the past twenty minutes, every face had become familiar to me.

“His boat just arrived on the premises. He came with a woman. I assume she’s a Surman in disguise.”

“How do you know?” My brows furrowed. “You have more than one man here?”

“Of course I do,” Arkane said flatly. “Killing me would ensure the fall of the Twins, especially now, and men would kill their own blood for that.”

I nodded. His world wasn’t just exhausting. It was miles apart from mine. But somehow, somewhere, our worlds collided for a reason. A reason mostly unknown to me.

My eyes went back to the people, all laughing and playing nice with each other. A familiar face on the far left caught my attention. He was looking right at me with a wide grin on his face, and my wide eyes met his. He didn’t waste a second to speed-walk our way.

“Shouma-kun,” I whispered, smiling softly.

Mikhail stopped him in his tracks, but Arkane waved a hand, and an amused Shouma-kun came to a stop at our table and stood tall in front of us.

“Koko de nani o shite iru no?” I asked what he was doing here in Japanese. I hadn’t seen him in six months since he told me he was going on an important mission and wouldn’t be back in a while.