*JESSE*
I stared at my reflection in the mirror, feeling the shimmering fabric of my dress cling to my curves in all the right places. The deep red color felt like a bold proclamation, a statement of my intent for the evening. Tonight wasn't just another gala; tonight was my opportunity to stake my claim on Vincenzo finally. For too long, I had been a spectator in our twisted little dance, and it was about time I stepped onto the stage with confidence.
The dress hugged my figure just enough to highlight the soft dip of my waist and the swelling curve of my hips while plunging low enough to tease. I wanted to show Vincenzo just how much I had grown—both as a woman and someone who had supported him through the thick and thin of his mafia world. He needed to see that I was not just another
