The Reborn Mafia Queen

Chapter Four

**Victor Kane’s hand on my waist felt like a knife from the past.**

The charity gala was loud and bright. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Rich people in expensive clothes laughed and showed off. I stood there in a long black dress that hugged Celine’s body too tightly, playing the part of the spoiled Sawyer heiress.

I hated every second of it. But I needed to see who mattered in this city.

"Smile, Celine," Richard muttered beside me. "Try not to embarrass us tonight."

"I know what I am doing," I said softly.

Damien stood a few steps away, watching me like always. His dark suit made him look even more dangerous. Our eyes met for a second. I looked away first.

I moved through the crowd, listening to conversations. Two men near the bar talked quietly about shipping lanes and protection money. I memorized their faces. Another group mentioned Marcus Hale. My blood ran hot, but I kept my face calm.

A deep voice spoke right behind me.

"Well, well. If it is not my favorite Sawyer."

I turned slowly. Victor Kane stood there with that same charming smile I remembered from my old life. Tall, handsome in a slick way, and dangerous as hell.

"Victor," I said, keeping my voice light. "I did not expect to see you here."

He stepped closer and took my hand. His touch sent a spark through me that I did not like. Old memories tried to surface. Betrayal. Lies. I pushed them down.

"You look different tonight," he said, eyes narrowing. "More alive. What happened to the quiet, scared Celine I used to know?"

I laughed softly like a rich girl would. "Maybe I got tired of being boring. You know how it is."

Victor did not let go of my hand. He pulled me gently toward the dance floor. "Dance with me. For old times sake."

I glanced across the room. Damien was still watching, jaw tight. I let Victor lead me anyway. Information was worth the risk.

We moved slowly to the music. His hand rested on my lower back.

"You feel different too," he whispered close to my ear. "The way you carry yourself. The way you look at people. Almost like the old you is gone and someone sharper took her place."

My stomach twisted. "You are imagining things, Victor. I have just been under a lot of pressure from my father."

He chuckled low. "Pressure. Sure. But the Celine I remember could barely look me in the eye. This version? She looks like she could eat me alive. I like it."

I forced a smile. "Careful. I might take that as a challenge."

Victor’s fingers tightened on my waist. "What happened to you, Celine? Tell me. We used to share everything."

The old wounds burned. In my past life, this man had been part of my circle. Close. Too close. Now he was circling me again like a shark.

"People grow up," I said. "You should try it."

He laughed, but his eyes stayed sharp. "There she is. That fire. I knew something was different. Come home with me tonight. We can talk properly. No family watching."

"I cannot," I replied. "Too many eyes on me right now."

Victor leaned in even closer. "Then let me get you a drink at least. You look like you need one."

He guided me toward the bar. I scanned the room while we walked. Too many people. Too many risks. But I needed to stay and gather more information.

At the bar, Victor ordered two drinks. While he spoke to the bartender, a man in a black suit bumped into me from the side. His hand brushed my glass for just a second.

"Sorry, miss," he muttered and disappeared into the crowd.

I stared at the glass. Something did not feel right. A tiny powder shimmered for a moment before dissolving.

My heart jumped. Poison.

Victor turned back with a smile. "Here you go, beautiful."

I took the glass but did not drink. "Thank you. Give me a moment. The music is loud. I need some air."

Victor’s smile faded a little. "You are avoiding me again. I thought we were past that."

"We are," I lied smoothly. "Just not tonight. My father is watching."

Across the room, Damien started moving through the crowd. His eyes were locked on me. Dark. Intense. Something deeper burned in them.

Victor touched my arm. "One drink, Celine. Then I will let you go. Promise."

I held the glass tightly. One sip and this new body might not survive. I needed to get rid of it without making a scene.

"I really should not," I said. "Doctor has me on some medicine right now."

Victor stepped closer, voice dropping. "Stop playing games. I know you, Celine. Or at least I thought I did. Who are you really now?"

The tension between us grew thick. His hand slid down my arm. Part of me felt that dangerous spark again. The part that remembered old feelings. I hated it.

Damien was getting closer. People moved out of his way.

I turned slightly and "accidentally" knocked the glass over. The drink spilled across the bar.

"Oops," I said with a fake laugh. "Clumsy tonight."

Victor’s eyes flashed with suspicion. "That was not clumsy. What is going on with you?"

Before I could answer, Damien reached us. He stepped between me and Victor like he belonged there.

"Everything okay here?" Damien asked, voice cold.

Victor smiled, but it did not reach his eyes. "Just catching up with my fiancée, Sawyer. Or have you forgotten we are still engaged?"

Damien’s jaw tightened. "She does not look comfortable."

I looked up at Damien. Our eyes locked. For a second, everything else faded. The suspicion. The pull. The danger.

Victor laughed. "Protective as always. Fine. I will see you soon, Celine. We have a lot to talk about."

He walked away. I let out a slow breath.

Damien turned to me fully. "What was that about? And why do you look like you just saw a ghost?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but the man who had bumped into me earlier was watching from across the room. The real threat was still here.

Damien started to say something else when his eyes suddenly widened. He grabbed my arm.

"Stay close to me," he said urgently.

My heart raced. He had seen something.

The game was getting deadlier by the minute.