10. Stevie
CHAPTER TEN
STEVIE
Icannot believe Sebastian showed up unannounced again.
“I’m a strong, independent woman and don’t need or want a man to follow me around and act as if I’m a damsel in distress who requires protection,” I mutter, alone inside my bedroom in the East Wing.
Plus, I’m the daughter of the lieutenant of homicide, and have learned how to keep myself safe from the self-defense classes he made me take since I was a child.
So, why did my stomach flip the second I stepped outside and saw him in the parking lot waiting for me? Casually leaning against his car, wearing boots, leather jacket, that made him look addictively dangerous. I thought I had matured from my teenage affinity for high school bad boys?
Guess not.
I’m anxious about tonight. It’s the masquerade ball, and we still don’t know much about the group.
As I slide myself into this beautifully tight dress, nervous energy pulses through my veins. Once I get it pulled all the way up, I maneuver my arms around to clutch the zipper hiding discreetly underneath the buttons at the back. But I can’t reach all the way up.
“Dammit,” I mumble.
I try again and still can’t reach. I sprint over to the intercom, prepared to contact Aunt Mae, but all I find are a bunch of numbers and generic labels like West Wing Room 1, and North Wing Room 2, Kitchen, and so on.
None of the buttons tell me who belongs to which room.
I’m going to have to ask Sebastian for help. He’s the only one who I know I’ll see soon.
Maybe I should wait until he comes to the bedroom to get me. Will he come to the door? Does he think I’m meeting in the foyer? It shouldn’t be this complicated. I don’t know why I’m overthinking everything. But what I do know is that I need help with my dress.
I’ll get myself fully ready and then at eight thirty, the time we agreed to meet, I’ll simply ask him to zip up the rest of my dress. No need to stress or make things awkward.
The next twenty minutes pass like a flash, and soon enough, there’s a light knock on the wooden bedroom door. I suck in a heavy breath, slip on a pair of black satin heels that match the dress, and head for the door.
“Hi.” Sebastian’s voice is soft as our eyes meet.
He’s wearing a black tuxedo paired with a matching vest and tie. Looking like something out of a fever dream, he also has a white rose pinned to his lapel and his own masquerade mask in his other hand.
“Hi.” I swallow dryly.
His eyes darkened as they drag along my entire body, leaving a heat sensation in their path. They smooth over me before his gaze is back on mine. “You look incredible.”
Shocked by his admission, because of how much he likes to bait me, I return the compliment. “So do you.”
“The Society said we need to wear white roses so they can identify us since everyone will be masked as well,” he tells me, slipping a rose from his pocket.
“Okay,” I say, reaching for the rose from his hand. But he drags it away.
“I’ll do it,” Sebastian says, leaning in to pin the flower onto the fabric of my dress. His fingers slide across the skin on my chest, causing goose bumps to form.
I clear my throat. “I can’t pull the zipper all the way up on the back of my dress.”
“Funny you should ask…” His voice sounds like he’s grinning. “I am very good with zippers, Stevie.”
“I should’ve known you’d say that,” I reply, rolling my eyes at his comment.
Sebastian lightly brushes my hair to the side, sending little tingles across my bare shoulder. I gather it to give him easier access.
As he guides the zipper higher, the dress tightens around me, and so does the air in my lungs. The soft scrape of metal against fabric fills the room, drawing out the moment longer than it should.
“There,” he says.
I slowly turn to spot a subtle clench in his jaw, as if he’s holding something back. Maybe a sarcastic comment about me needing him?
“Ready to go?”
I nod, then rush back over to the bed to grab the most important item of the night. The item that will keep my identity hidden. “Yeah, let me just get my mask.”
“Oh, and I’ve been meaning to tell you. As you’re probably aware, killers usually have monikers.”
“Like stage names?”
“Yes, that’s one way to look at it.” His hand palms the door, stepping into the bedroom. “Oh shit, I almost forgot. I had to come up with one, and I think we should choose one for you, too. I hope you won’t need it, but in case they ask you for your name tonight.”
He tells me this now? “Oh, okay?”
“I know it’s last minute, but I want to make sure we’re prepared for everything. I came up with the Dark Prince as mine.”
“Interesting.”
“Now we just need to come up with yours.”
“Uh, yeah. I think I have a few in mind.”
“Let’s talk about it on the drive over there.”
I click my tongue, thinking about getting him back for springing this on me last minute. “Um, I’ll tell you when I decide.”
“Or we just discuss it together.”
We both start walking down the hallway of the East Wing.
“I’ll choose myself. Then I’ll run it by you. It’s a big deal. I want to make sure it’s something that makes sense and I won’t forget.”
“Stevie,” he warns again, stepping into the elevator.
I playfully pat his shoulder, leaning close so he won’t miss the grin on my face. “It will be good, I promise.”
Sebastian opens the car door for me.
“Thank you.” I slide into the low, black sports car. It smells of leather and a hint of the shower soap I’m assuming he uses. My body betrays me with little stomach flutters.
Sebastian gets into the driver’s seat and backs out. When he pulls out of the underground garage, my heart leaps into my throat and what we’re about to do tonight hits me.
As if he can sense my apprehension, he turns to me. “Take a deep breath. It’s going to be okay.”
“Thank you. I’m fine,” I say softly, smiling in his direction.
Sebastian returns my smile, then turns his focus back to the road.
We take the drive to the ferry dock near downtown in silence.
He is calmer and more at ease, which would make sense since I’ve learned he’s been doing this for years.
After we park and walk up to the ticket counter, we pay and then only have to wait a few minutes before the ferry arrives.
It’s a short ride over to the small island that’s home to Moore Mansion.
“We should put on our masks now. We’re officially in enemy territory,” he whispers into my ear.
I nervously fumble to slide on my intricate, lacy Colombina mask that covers the top half of my face. But as soon as the mask is in place, a sense of safety washes over me. As if this thin fabric can fully hide my true identity. But I let myself bask in the false sense of security.
A light chill in the air brings a shiver across my bare shoulders, because even in the middle of summer, the nights remain cool. With all the nerves, I must have forgotten to grab a light shawl before we left.
“We’re about to dock,” Sebastian says after a quick nine-minute ride. Then he removes his jacket and places it around my shoulders.
Glancing up at him, I roll the jacket off my shoulder. “I’m fine.”
“I insist.” Sebastian secures the fabric in place, ensuring it remains where he wants it. “The last thing I want you to feel at a time like this is more discomfort.”
I nod, accepting the gesture.
The boat jerks forward as it makes contact with the wooden dock. Sebastian and I, along with the few other passengers, get off the ferry. A small remote island, mostly with small boutique hotels and a few outdoor activities, leaves the open night sky and stars to light our way.
“Have you been to this part of the city before?” he asks, helping me step down the stairs onto a grassy area.
“My senior prom was out here.”
He laughs. “You must have gone to a rich school.”
“Says the billionaire,” I quip. Suddenly, a white passenger van drives up with the words Moore Mansion written on the side in elegant handwriting. “This must be our ride.”
“Looks like it.” Sebastian walks up to the passenger window. “Moore Mansion charity event?”
The driver, a young teenager, smiles. “Yes, sir. The event is a quick drive down the road.”
“Great.” Sebastian slides open the door for me.
I give the inside a once-over, then climb in. Sebastian climbs in right after.
The van takes us down a long road lined with old-fashioned lanterns and tall trees which sway lightly in the wind.
I catch a glimpse of a full moon peeking out from behind one of the massive pines.
My eyes glide up, following along the frame of a massive Victorian-style mansion.
The dark outer exterior is only brought to life by the light in front from the yellow glow of two rows of rectangular windows.
“This place is gorgeous,” I mutter.
Sebastian leans back against the seat casually. “Eh, I’ve seen better.”
“Nothing compared to the manor,” I play.
“I would agree.”
The van rolls to a stop in front of a shallow stoop of three to four concrete steps leading up to the double-door entrance of the home. Sebastian slides out of the vehicle first, then gives me his hand to help me take the step in my dress.
Once my feet are comfortable on the ground, he turns to me, darkness falling over his features, sending a chill up my spine. “Showtime,” he says, then gestures for me to loop my arm through his.
A rush of anxious energy flows through my veins. “Let’s show them the happy murderous couple we are.”
He chuckles. “Exactly.”
We walk up the stairs to the front doors where we’re greeted by an usher dressed in a tuxedo and a porcelain white mask covering the left side of his face.
“Welcome to Moore Mansion. There is an open bar, free seating, and a silent auction at the end of the night. Be sure to donate to the cause of your choice and have a wonderful evening.”
Sebastian and I both smile in acknowledgment.
“Thanks,” Sebastian says.
He leads me through a grand foyer and then into a grand ballroom.
Crowds of people wear variations of what Sebastian and I are in, or what would be expected for a masquerade ball.
Round event tables covered in black linens hold impressive centerpieces that fill the space.
They’re scattered throughout the ballroom with a stage set up directing in front of us and a dance floor off to the right.
“Okay…” I say, taking it all in.
Sebastian whips his head around a few times, casing the room before turning back to glance at me. “Let’s just blend in and wait for whatever comes next. I’m sure they’re already scoping us out.”
“Here.” I take off his jacket and hand it back to him.
“You’re not cold anymore?” Sebastian asks as he puts it back on.
“No, it’s warmer here,” I lie, remembering what he said about how Society will know who we are from the white roses pinned on our costumes. “Probably all the people.”
Then out of the corner of my eye, a tray of champagne appears to float by. My arm darts out to grab one of the crystal flutes. I bring it to my lips and take a generous drink to calm myself.
“I’d advise against drinking while on the job,” he warns, while I down the entire glass. “Um, yeah. Okay, Stevie, I think you’re good now.”
The bubbles hit the back of my throat, with the relief that’s to come in the next couple minutes. I place the glass back on the silver tray and match Sebastian’s stare. “I needed that.”
With a quick lick of his lips, he smirks.
“I understand it’s your first time doing something like this.
But no more. And when we leave here, if you’re still looking for something to drink, when you’re safely back at the manor, I’ll show you where the cellar is, and you can go to town on anything you want. ”
I cock my head at the way he’s negotiating with me like I’m unruly.
“Fine.” The only reason why I’m not going to argue with him is because I know I need to follow his directions to make sure we’re both safe and for whatever comes our way tonight.
With a small flash of his white teeth, he smiles. “Good girl.”
“Don’t good girl me, Sebastian.”
He laughs. “So, let’s check out the place, or maybe be a couple and hit the dance floor?”
Seems simple enough. “Okay, then we wait for them to contact us?”
“Yes.”
What if it takes all night?