Chapter 34
Chapter Thirty-Four
C ecilia
Anxiety strangles me like a rope around my throat as I linger outside, possibly the most extravagant event I’ve ever attended. I feel out of place here, like I don’t belong, and the bigger part of me wants to go back home. I don’t know why I am here anyway. I snuck out to be here without Marco on my heels, but suddenly felt ridiculous. I’d see James, and then what? We’d live happily ever after? I kept stopping that from happening, but here I was, walking into damnation.
I tied my mask around my face, hoping it did a decent job hiding my identity. I didn’t want James to recognize me right away. I wanted to linger around and get a feel for things. Maybe I could watch all his interactions with his date—you know, those kinds of things stalkers do.
I pretty much blew my credit card on my dress tonight. It was a little out of my realm of comfort, but I seem to find that I’m always stepping out of it when it comes to situations involving James. It had a strapless pointed top corset and went down into a long skirt that had slits on both sides of the dress, exposing both of my legs a little too high up for my comfort. It was bright white glittery fabric and pretty risky for a ball gown, but as soon as I saw it, I couldn’t walk away. My mask was also pretty. It covered the top half of my face, was white with glitter and intricate beading, and had long diamond tassels hanging down each side.
My long satin black gloves and big updo, which I managed to do myself, were the final touches that made me feel like a seductive princess. It was messy and barely contained, but it looked elegant enough, so I went with it.
I walk up to the front door, handing the greeter my invitation. He looks down at it, drops it inside a box, and opens the door for me. Before heading inside, I touch my mask again, ensuring it is secure. I wobble slightly in my heels and stumble a step. Someone beside me stops and grabs my arm, helping me keep my balance. “Thank you,” I stammer, righting myself as I look up to whoever it is. “Oh,” I gasp in fear when I see his mask, which instantly unsettles me. It was black and gold but looked as if it had the profile of two other faces ripping from his face in the center. It looked monstrous but elegant enough for a ball with gold foiled accents.
He nods and lets go of me, going about his way as I float to the wall and lean on it. I was only inside for two seconds, and already, I knew I was out of my element.
I felt like freaking Cinderella.
I straighten myself and continue to walk down the hall, staying as close to the wall as possible. Not only did I need it for support, but I also wanted to remain under the radar as much as possible. I didn’t want James to see me right away. I still wasn’t sure what I was even doing here myself, but like always, I followed that magnetic pull. I also didn’t want Tobias to spot me because, for this, I was officially out of excuses that would keep him oblivious to this tango James and I have been stuck in.
I walk to the only open entrance leading onto a terrace and realize the ball is being held outside in the gardens. My gaze roams over the sheer beauty that lies before me, like a fairytale I always craved to be a part of as a young girl.
Ornate ballgowns and elegant suits dance around the stone dance floor in the garden's center. Everyone is wearing glamorous masks covering different parts of their face. Some have long noses jutting from them, and some, like mine, have tassels hanging down the sides. I much prefer the ones without the scary protruding noses.
I couldn’t help but smile, taking in everything around me. There was so much energy swirling about. People were dancing or talking, filling the air with laughter. Servers were carrying around fancy flutes of champagne and trays of fancy-looking finger foods. Soft, romantic music drifted through the air.
Several willow and red maple trees were glowing with twinkle lights, accenting all the tables covered in satin tablecloths in a shimmery champagne color. The chairs were swanky and cushioned, and the tables had scattered bronzed floral arrangements all over them, sprouting all kinds of colored flowers and draping greenery as if they wanted them completely covered. Pearl decor hung from every surface and entryway, and hundreds of faux candles flickered, lighting the outside with pure magic.
There were hedges and flower bushes around the party, where people were mingling and getting lost. Trees led far back to a small pond where some people gathered. The ground had golden glitter scattered everywhere as if it were perfectly part of nature.
Everything was as if it were pulled straight from a storybook…including him.
My eyes seem to find him instantly. He stood out with his icy hair and the dark yet vivid blue suit he wore. It wasn’t a color I’d ever seen him in before, and he, of course, wore it painfully well. His hair was swept back, not a single strand out of place. Even from across the way, I could notice the shade difference in his eyes. He was by far the dreamiest man in the space.
His date had her arm looped through his as they stood and chatted with two men I didn’t recognize. They weren’t particularly cozied up together, but they were still touching, nonetheless. I didn’t like it one bit.
Seeing him with someone else made me feel like my insides were on fire, and they wanted to break free and consume anyone else who dared get too close to him. I felt unreasonably territorial and was already planning how to separate them, no matter how illogical it was.
I looked around the outside, trying to calm myself down, and spotted my brother by two double doors leading to another entrance into the building. One of the servers was standing with him, and I instantly recognized his expression as his flirting face. He was definitely working up one of the servers. And here I thought they were here for work, but nonetheless, he was distracted, so that was nice.
I shake my head, laughing to myself, just as I feel two hands wrap around my waist. My eyes dart back to where I’d seen James standing before and find him still conversing. My heart hammers in my chest as a presence makes itself known near my neck. I felt their breath against it, and I wanted to rip out of my own skin.
“You came,” the voice says.
I rip their hands off me and turn around, seeing a man looking down at me with a goading smirk on the bottom half of his face. His mask covered his face nearly down to his mouth, and I couldn’t see any other features behind it, not even his hair. The mask was black, matching his suit, but around his eyes were rimmed red and dripping down the mask. It reminded me of blood and was almost as off-putting as his roaming hands.
“Don’t touch me,” I say lowly, careful not to cause a scene.
He chuckles. “I thought I would be allowed to touch my own date.”
“What?” I breathe out. “I came alone. I don’t know who?—”
He steps closer to me, and I take one step back. “Who do you think left you your invitation?”
My heart sinks, and my stomach turns acidic. “What are you talking about? Who are you?”
He smirks again as he slowly lifts his hands and removes his mask. I gasp when I realize it's Chuck—the very man I should be staying away from.
“I’m sorry for all the secrecy. I wanted to surprise you. You look stunning, by the way.” His voice is dark and full of mischief as if he couldn’t get enough of my disappointment.
“You left me the invite at the library?” I ask again in disbelief.
He moves closer to me again, and I freeze in place despite wanting to move. I feel as if I am in shock. He lifts his hand, his thumb grazing over my mask just above my cheekbone. “Can you blame a guy for trying again? You’re very unforgettable, Cecilia.”
Finally, I smack his hand away, regaining some of my courage. “Stop it. If I had known it was you who left that invite, I would have never come.”
He mocks a pouting face, and I scowl at him in irritation. “Because it wasn’t your precious James?” He snakes an arm around my waist and jerks me against him. I flail in his arms, shoving against his chest. “What’s wrong, Cecilia?” he taunts. “I have just as much money as he does. I could help set your brother free. Stay with me, and I could give you more than he ever could.”
I shove him harder, making him stumble back as I finally break free. “I could never, ever want you or anyone over James. You could never compare to the man that he is.”
He chuckles again, and it starts building some fear inside me. The man was clearly delusional and losing it over his rivalry with James. “I thought we could form an alliance, Cecilia. We could take him down together. Don’t you want to help your brother? You’ve already lost your father. You don’t want to lose him, too, do you?”
I lunge at him, my hand flying to smack across his face, but it stops halfway from connecting. I look at my wrist, which is enclosed by a giant fist. My gaze snaps to the man it’s connected to, seeing another mask-covered face on the body of someone else I don’t recognize.
“Don’t do this here,” he murmurs lowly. “You don’t want James to see, do you?” I blink quickly, dropping my hand just as he releases it. Chuck laughs darkly from behind us, and the man in front of me turns his way, snatching him by the collar of his shirt and holding him nearly nose to nose. “If we weren’t where we were, I’d kill you where you stand,” he growls. Chuck’s smile drops from his face as it instantly pales, and although the man threatening him was terrifying and obviously dangerous, I can’t help but smirk. “And if you don’t leave her alone, I will,” the man adds.
He drops Chuck back onto his feet, and he quickly scatters off like the rat that he is. The man faces me again, and I take the time to observe him, trying to figure out who he is. His accent was Italian…not a surprise to me anymore. His hair was dark and wavy, and his skin was caramel-colored. He wore a matte black mask that left his chiseled jaw and full, pouty lips on display. I couldn’t see his whole face, but I knew he was handsome beneath that mask. He was also built like a semi. He was broad with muscle that I could see the definition of under his black suit. He was tall, like really tall.
All in all, he was handsome but extremely terrifying. He was like Batman.
“Thank you,” I manage to say.
He towers over me, his mouth curved in irritation. “Don’t thank me. James is going to be pissed when he learns you’re here.”
“How do you know James?”
He scoffs, tearing his gaze from me. “Don’t worry about it. Worry about yourself.” Then his mouth quirks into a faint smile, and he leans in, dropping his mouth near my ear lobe. I suck in a breath at his sudden closeness. He leans his face into the crook of my neck, and for a second, I fear he will kiss me there as he lingers. “He’s coming this way. Better run, little owl.”
I gasp and look up at him as he chuckles darkly before disappearing into the crowd. I look over my shoulder, seeing James walking through the crowd, his curious gaze on my backside. “Shit,” I mumble and take off into the same crowd that the mysterious man also disappeared into. Tonight’s events were giving me whiplash, damn it.
The party had become much more crowded since I’d gotten here, and I was doing my best to barrel through everyone without shoving people aside. What’s with people standing directly in the center of walkways and having conversations? They were in the damn way.
I needed to get out of here. I didn’t need James to find out I came here for him, thinking he actually wanted me here. How embarrassing. Even more so since the invite was from Chuck Fireux, the man he told me to keep an eye out for. He was going to be so freaking pissed.
Thankfully, I never took my mask off, so he can never exactly prove that I was here. He may just think he saw me, but hopefully, he’ll forget about it.
I finally see the opening to the room I came from, but just as I reach it, two giant double doors start shutting, keeping me from entering. “Wait,” I call out. I rush up to one of the staff members who is closing the doors. “Excuse me, I need to be let out, please.”
“The mayor is about to give his speech, and we need to keep out the paparazzi. You can leave after.”
This is even worse than I thought. “Can you open it a little and let me slip through the crack?” I suggest. He shakes his head sternly. “Fine,” I grumble and turn back toward the ball. I look to my side and recognize the man from before with the triple-face mask, leaning on the wall of the building on the other side of the doors, staring at me. I look away, an uncomfortable feeling in my stomach blooming. The lights brighten at the front of the dance floor, and I make friends with the wall again, my gaze roaming everywhere for signs of James or my brother.
“Can I have your attention, please?” Chuck’s voice booms over the crowd. “I want to thank everyone for coming to New York's fifty-third annual charity masquerade ball. We are so grateful for everyone’s participation in strengthening this city. Without you all, I wouldn’t be able to do what I love most, and that is keeping the people, my people, of New York City safe and taken care of.”
Ugh. Gag me with a freaking spoon.
“I hope everyone is having fun tonight. Everyone looks amazing, but no more amazing than my date tonight, which I can’t help but show off.” My stomach drops. He wouldn’t…would he? Just then, a single spotlight shines on me from where I’m standing, nearly blinding me, but I see Chuck’s eyes and vicious grin lock onto me. “Come say hi,” he calls into the microphone.
Fucking fuck. This was not good.
All eyes were on me, and my fight-or-flight instinct kicked in. In fear of causing a scene, I walked up to where Chuck stood. The second I was in his vicinity, his hand wrapped around my waist and yanked me to his side.
“Everyone, this is my date, Cecilia. Isn’t she stunning?” he coos. I feel like I’m going to puke as cheers go off in the crowd. My eyes fearfully scan everyone when they land on James, barreling through the crowd like his life depended on it. Chuck spots him, too, and his grin grows wider. “Please don’t forget to check out all of our donation stations lined in the hall before leaving, and now, I’d like to invite all of our guests to put on their masks and join me on the dancefloor for our masquerade dance,” Chuck finishes, shouting at the end and getting everyone in the room excited.
The outdoor lights dim around us just as glitter confetti and bubbles from machines are shot off into the air like freaking canons declaring war. I lose sight of James as everyone puts on masks and comes together in a slow, sensual dance. The music is louder and trickles over everyone like a siren song, creating a celebratory atmosphere as they’re consumed by the glitter and bubbles dancing around them.
The doors are cracked back open, and I think about escaping, but I’m frozen in fear and astonishment. I can’t help but watch the sea of people move together, with all their different masks and gowns floating around them. The soft music and glittery bubbles in the air float around me like a dream that quickly turns into a nightmare when I see Chuck’s mask-covered face approaching me. I look over his shoulder, spotting the triple-faced one on his heels, but I’m quickly yanked back. I feel a hand at my waist and another grabbing mine and dragging me into the center of the dance floor, the sea of people swallowing me up.
My gaze whips at the scenery around me, unable to focus on the man who saved me. My heart beats wildly as he spins me, his hand resting on my hip as I meet his face again. He doesn’t say anything as he pulls me deeper and deeper into the crowd of people.
I finally looked at him again, realizing I was dancing with the man in the black mask from before. This is twice now that he’s saved me.
“Who are you?” I ask him.
“You haven’t guessed?” he says, spinning me again with his eyes locked onto mine. I didn’t know what to say because despite being scared of him, I didn’t feel like I was in danger.
I blink up at him. “I can’t really think straight right now.”
He chuckles and leans into my neck just as he did before. “James was right about you. You’re dancing with the city's most feared man, and you don’t have a care in the world.”
I gasp, rearing back in his embrace. “You’re his brother. You’re Stefano Luccio.” His full lips hitch up in amusement as I stare back at him with nothing but astonishment. Seriously, what has my life become?
“And you shouldn’t be here,” he points out as he glides us around other dancers.
“Yeah, I realize that now.”
He chuckles, and I feel it reverberating through me. “I like you for him,” he says, catching me off guard.
“For who?”
“James. He needs someone like you.”
“Someone like me?”
He leans in, hovering next to my ear. “Bold. Empathetic yet strong-willed. It helps that you’re also beautiful.”
My eyes crinkle as I regard him. How was this the most feared man in the mafia, and yet, here he was, showering me with compliments? “Uhm, thanks…I think,” I respond confused.
“What I’m saying is… James is my brother. He deserves this. I want this for him, and I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I’m used to getting what I want.”
I rear back in his embrace as I stare up at him. “Are you threatening me into being with James?” It was kind of funny, but he was kind of scary, so it was also not funny.
He pulls me back, and I follow his lead to the rhythm of the music. “Why else would you be here if not to be with him?” he asks. I stare mindlessly at him, at a loss for words. I was here to be with James…wasn’t I? After everything, after what I learned last night, it all led me here. I would be lying to myself if I chose not to believe that.
Stefano grins, then dips me, and my stomach whirls with excitement. He was right. I didn’t have a care in the world. Not anymore. Why was that? And why have I never danced before? It was so raw and exhilarating. Except, just as he begins to pull me up, he lets go of me entirely. It feels like I’m being pulled into the ground as soon as he does it. I’m about to scream when I feel new arms wrap around my waist, and I see a different masked man staring down at me, slowly pulling me up to stand with him.
His mask was charcoal with blue and silver sparkles covering its round edges. The eyes were highlighted in white and blue, creating sharp wings above them. It was beautiful, but not as beautiful as the brown and grey eyes that watched me from behind it.
“James,” I gasp.
“Babe,” he says back, spinning me around the dance floor and making my heart fly. I was becoming cold in the night air, but I couldn’t feel anything but him. His eyes track up and down my body, heating me from the inside out. “Fuck,” he groans out agonizingly. “Look at you,” he says appreciatively, sealing my fate. His hands become tighter on me, nearly ripping straight through my dress. “Why the fuck are you here with Chuck?” he growls.
“I’m not. I…I came for you,” I find myself saying.
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly like he liked that answer, and the feeling of it all gave me powerful butterflies in my stomach. I knew then, at this moment, that nothing, nothing…could ever make me feel this way.
Only him.