Lucia’s POV

I could still feel Dante’s hand on my waist, even though he wasn’t anywhere near me now. The pressure and control lingered on my skin.

The ball was suffocating. There were too many stares, the murmurs behind elaborate masks, the stench of power and corruption, it all made me sick in the stomach.

I needed to get away, even if only for a few minutes. So I had excused myself to use the restroom.

I leaned against the counter, tightening my fingers around the cool porcelain ...