The invitation arrived without warning.

Dante walked into the bedroom late in the afternoon carrying a long black garment bag. He set it on the bed, unzipped it, and revealed a dress of liquid black silk that looked like it had been poured into shape. No straps. A low back. A slit that would rise high on one thigh when I walked.

“We’re going out,” he said. “Private dinner. Other families will be there. You will stay at my side the entire night. You will speak only if I tell you to. And you will remember who you belong to.”

My stomach tightened. “Other bosses?”

“Yes.” His eyes moved over...