Bound By Secrets

Facing Sophia

The gallery was everything Elizabeth expected from old money and art collectors. High ceilings. Stark white walls. Abstract paintings that probably cost more than small countries. Men in tuxedos and women dripping in jewels, all holding champagne flutes and speaking in hushed, cultured tones about “composition” and “the artist’s vision.”

Elizabeth felt like a fraud wrapped in designer fabric.

Leonardo’s hand rested at the small of her bare back, his palm warm against her skin. Every time they moved, his fingers pressed slightly, guiding her. Claiming her. And every touch sent electricity racing up her spine.

“Breathe,” he murmured near her ear. “You’re doing fine.”

She wasn’t. Her heart was trying to escape her chest. Everyone was staring. Whispering. Eyes tracking their every move like predators scenting fresh prey.

“They’re all looking at us,” she whispered back.

“They’re looking at you.” His voice held something dark. Possessive. “Because you’re the most beautiful woman here. And because they’re all wondering who you are and how I managed to capture you.”

Heat flooded her cheeks. This was the act. The performance. She had to remember that.

But the way his fingers tightened on her back, the way his body angled toward hers like a shield, it felt real. Too real.

“Leonardo! Darling!”

A woman’s voice cut through the ambient noise like a blade. Elizabeth tensed.

Leonardo’s entire body went rigid. His hand on her back pressed harder, pulling her infinitesimally closer. When she glanced up, his jaw was tight, his eyes cold.

“Here we go,” he muttered. “Stay calm. Don’t let her get to you.”

The woman approaching them was stunning in the way weapons were stunning. All sharp edges and dangerous beauty. She wore a red dress that left nothing to imagination, her platinum blonde hair swept up to reveal a neck adorned with rubies. Her lips were painted crimson. Her eyes, ice blue, assessed Elizabeth with the calculating gaze of a shark.

This had to be Sophia.

“Leo.” The woman air-kissed near Leonardo’s cheeks, her perfume cloying and expensive. “How wonderful to see you. It’s been far too long.”

“Sophia.” Leonardo’s voice was cordial but cold. “I didn’t realize you’d be here tonight.”

“Oh, you know me. I never miss Marcus Rothschild’s events.” Her gaze slid to Elizabeth, and something predatory flashed in those ice-chip eyes. “And who is this lovely creature? You didn’t mention you were bringing a date.”

Date. Like Elizabeth was temporary. Disposable.

Anger sparked hot in her chest, burning through the fear. She’d spent years dealing with people who looked at her like she was nothing. Like she didn’t matter. And she was done being invisible.

Leonardo’s arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her flush against his side. “This is Elizabeth Carter. My fiancée.”

The word dropped like a bomb.

Sophia’s perfect smile froze. Her eyes went wide, then narrowed to slits. “Your what?”

“Fiancée.” Leonardo lifted Elizabeth’s left hand, displaying the obscene diamond that caught the light and threw sparkles across Sophia’s shocked face. “We’re engaged.”

For a heartbeat, raw fury twisted Sophia’s beautiful features into something ugly. Then it was gone, replaced by a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“How… sudden.” Sophia’s voice dripped venom disguised as honey. “I had no idea you were even seeing anyone, Leo. When did this happen?”

“Recently,” Elizabeth heard herself say. Her voice came out stronger than she felt. “But when you know, you know. Right?”

She looked up at Leonardo, and the heat in his eyes made her breath catch. He was looking at her like she’d just declared war on his behalf. Like she was magnificent.

“Right,” he agreed softly. His hand came up to cup her face, thumb brushing across her cheekbone. The gesture was tender. Possessive. And completely devastating.

Don’t believe it. It’s an act. Just an act.

But her heart didn’t care. Her heart was doing dangerous, stupid things.

Sophia’s laugh was sharp. “Well. Congratulations. I’m sure you’ll be very happy together.” Her tone suggested the exact opposite. “Tell me, Elizabeth. What do you do?”

The question was a trap. Elizabeth could feel it. Sophia wanted to know where she came from. What she was worth. Whether she deserved to stand next to a man like Leonardo DeLuca.

Shame tried to claw its way up her throat. She was a bartender. Nobody. Nothing.

But then Leonardo’s hand tightened on her waist, and she remembered. She wasn’t alone. Not tonight.

“I’m between careers at the moment,” Elizabeth said, lifting her chin. “Exploring my options.”

It wasn’t a lie. Just a carefully edited truth.

Sophia’s smile turned cruel. “How fortunate that you found Leo during this… transitional period. His money must make exploring so much easier.”

The words hit like a slap. Elizabeth’s face burned. Everyone around them had gone quiet, listening. Watching the drama unfold like it was entertainment.

Gold digger. That’s what Sophia was implying. That Elizabeth was only with Leonardo for his wealth.

And wasn’t that exactly what this was? A transaction. Money for her time. Her body. Her future.

The thought made her sick.

Leonardo moved before Elizabeth could respond. He stepped between them, his body a wall of controlled rage. When he spoke, his voice was soft. Deadly.

“Be very careful what you say next, Sophia. Elizabeth is my fiancée. She will be my wife. And I don’t take kindly to anyone disrespecting what’s mine.”

The possessiveness in his tone sent shivers down Elizabeth’s spine. This wasn’t about protecting the arrangement. This felt personal. Raw.

Sophia’s mask cracked further. “What’s yours? Since when do you claim ownership of people, Leo?”

“Since the moment she agreed to spend her life with me.” His eyes were black ice. “Now if you’ll excuse us, we have better company to enjoy.”

He turned, his hand finding Elizabeth’s, and guided her away. She could feel Sophia’s glare burning into her back. Could feel the weight of every eye in the gallery tracking their movement.

Her hands shook. Her throat was tight. She wanted to run. To hide. To escape this world of beautiful vipers and impossible expectations.

Leonardo led her to a quiet alcove, partially hidden from the crowd. As soon as they were alone, he turned to face her, his hands coming up to frame her face.

“Are you alright?” His voice was rough with concern.

“I’m fine.” The lie tasted bitter.

“Elizabeth.” His thumbs stroked her cheeks. “Look at me.”

She did. And the intensity in his eyes stole her breath.

“Don’t listen to her,” Leonardo said fiercely. “Don’t let her poison get in your head. She’s bitter and cruel and she has no idea what she’s talking about.”

“Doesn’t she though?” Elizabeth’s voice cracked despite her best efforts. “This is what everyone will think. That I’m with you for your money. That I’m some gold digging nobody who got lucky.”

“You’re not nobody.” His grip tightened. “You’re brave and strong and you saved my life when you had absolutely no reason to. You’re worth a hundred of Sophia. A thousand.”

The conviction in his voice made her want to believe him. Made her want to lean into his touch and pretend this was real.

But it wasn’t. It was a contract. A performance.

And she was terrified of forgetting that.

“Why did you really choose me?” she whispered. “There are thousands of women who could play this part. Beautiful women. Women who already know this world. Why me?”

Leonardo’s expression shifted. Something raw and vulnerable flickered behind his carefully controlled mask. His hands slid from her face down to her shoulders, his touch gentle but sure.

“Because when I look at you,” he said softly, “I see someone who understands what it means to survive. To fight for every scrap of dignity in a world that wants to take it from you. You’re not from my world, Elizabeth. And thank God for that. Because my world is full of people like Sophia. People who measure worth in dollar signs and pedigree.”

His forehead dropped to hers, and the intimacy of the gesture made her dizzy.

“You’re real,” he breathed. “In a life full of artifice and performance, you’re the only real thing I’ve found.”

Her heart cracked open. This was dangerous. So dangerous. She couldn’t afford to feel things for him. Couldn’t afford to believe that any of this mattered beyond the contract they’d signed.

Men like Leonardo didn’t fall for girls like her. They used them. Discarded them when they were done.

But the way he held her, like she was something precious and breakable, it made her want to believe in impossible things.

“Leo!” A man’s voice boomed across the gallery. “There you are!”

Leonardo’s hands dropped. He stepped back, and the professional mask slid back into place. But not before Elizabeth saw frustration flash in his eyes. Like he resented the interruption. Like he’d wanted to stay in this bubble with her just a little longer.

“Marcus,” Leonardo greeted, turning to face an older gentleman with silver hair and a jovial smile. “Thank you for hosting. The collection is impressive as always.”

“Yes, yes.” Marcus waved dismissively, his attention fixed on Elizabeth. “But I’m far more interested in this stunning young woman. Is it true? You’re engaged?”

“We are.” Leonardo’s arm wrapped around Elizabeth’s waist again, pulling her close. “Marcus Rothschild, meet Elizabeth Carter. My fiancée.”

“Enchanted.” Marcus took her hand and brought it to his lips in an old-fashioned gesture. “You’ve managed to capture the most elusive bachelor in the city. Well done.”

Elizabeth forced a smile. “I got lucky.”

“Oh, I think Leo is the lucky one.” Marcus winked. “Tell me everything. How did you meet? When’s the wedding? Will it be a society affair or something more intimate?”

The questions came rapid fire. Leonardo fielded them with practiced ease, spinning a story about a chance encounter and instant connection. It was romantic. Convincing. And complete fiction.

But as he spoke, his hand never left her waist. His thumb traced small circles against her hip, the gesture unconscious and intimate. And every touch sent heat pooling low in her belly.

This was supposed to be pretend. A business arrangement.

So why did it feel like she was falling?

More people approached. Congratulations were offered. Hands were shaken. Elizabeth smiled until her face hurt, playing the role of besotted fiancée with every ounce of strength she had.

And through it all, Leonardo stayed close. His body angled protectively toward hers. His hand a constant presence on her back, her waist, her shoulder. Claiming her in front of everyone who mattered in his world.

It should have felt suffocating. Like ownership.

Instead, it felt like safety. Like for the first time in years, she wasn’t alone.

That terrified her more than anything Sophia could say.

Because safety was an illusion. And the moment she started believing in it, she’d be destroyed.

-----

By the time they left the gallery three hours later, Elizabeth was exhausted. Her feet ached from the heels. Her face hurt from smiling. And her heart felt like it had been put through a blender.

The car ride back to the penthouse was silent. Leonardo stared out the window, his jaw tight, tension radiating from every line of his body.

“You were perfect tonight,” he said finally, his voice low. “Better than I could have hoped.”

“I just followed your lead.”

“No.” He turned to look at her, and the intensity in his gaze made her pulse quicken. “You held your own against Sophia. You didn’t back down. You were magnificent.”

Pride and fear warred in her chest. She’d stood up to Sophia because anger had overridden common sense. Because seeing that woman try to belittle her had sparked something fierce and protective in her own chest.

But it wasn’t real. None of this was real.

“Leonardo—”

“I know what you’re going to say.” He cut her off gently. “That this is just business. That we shouldn’t blur lines. That we need to keep this professional.”

“Yes,” she whispered.

“You’re right.” He dragged a hand through his hair, messing the perfect style. “You’re absolutely right. But Elizabeth…” He paused, his dark eyes searching hers. “Tonight when I saw Sophia try to hurt you, when I felt you tense in my arms, something inside me snapped. And I need you to understand that this arrangement might be transactional on paper, but I meant what I said. I will protect you. From her. From anyone who tries to use you to get to me. That’s not in the contract. That’s a promise.”

Tears burned behind her eyes. She couldn’t afford his protection. Couldn’t afford to lean on him and trust that he’d be there when everything fell apart.

Because men like Leonardo didn’t keep promises to girls like her. Not really. Not when it mattered.

“Thank you,” she managed. “For tonight. For defending me.”

His expression softened. “Always.”

The car pulled up to the building. James opened the door. And as Elizabeth stepped out into the night, Leonardo’s hand found hers again.

They rode the elevator in silence, but the air between them was charged. Electric. Every breath felt like anticipation.

When they reached the penthouse, Leonardo walked her to her suite. Stopped at the door. Looked down at her with eyes that held too many things she couldn’t name.

“Goodnight, Elizabeth,” he said softly.

“Goodnight.”

She should go inside. Close the door. Put distance between them and this dangerous pull that was getting harder to resist.

But she couldn’t move. Couldn’t look away from him.

Leonardo’s hand came up, cupped her cheek. His thumb traced her lower lip, and the touch was fire and silk and everything forbidden.

“What am I going to do with you?” he murmured, more to himself than her.

Then he dropped his hand and stepped back. “Sleep well. Tomorrow we make the engagement official.”

He turned and walked to his own suite across the hall. Disappeared inside without looking back.

Elizabeth stood frozen, her heart racing, her body aching for something she couldn’t have.

This was a mistake. The biggest mistake of her life.

Because she was starting to want things that weren’t in the contract. Starting to believe in fairy tales that didn’t exist.

And when this was over, when Leonardo moved on to his next acquisition, she was going to be left with nothing but broken pieces and the memory of what it felt like to pretend she mattered.

She went inside her suite and closed the door.

Leaned against it and tried to breathe.

But all she could feel was the ghost of his touch on her skin.

And all she could think was that six months wasn’t going to be long enough.

Or it was going to be far, far too long