AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Hello?” she answers with a slight slur that causes me to roll my eyes.
Balancing my phone between my shoulder and cheek, I lock my gun in my nightstand drawer. “I need an invitation to whatever masquerade ball is tomorrow.”
“I thought you didn’t like things like that.”
“I do now.”
“All right, I’ll make a call.”
“Also, what the fuck is a masquerade ball?”
7
“Gigi, my beautiful girl,” Aunt Helena says, her voice hitching with emotion as she stares at me through the reflection in my closet’s full-length mirror. “So much like your mother.”
All my life, I’ve had compliments thrown at me—gorgeous, smart, breathtaking. None of them ever warms my soul like comparisons to my mother.
People don’t only speak about Benita Marchetti’s beauty. They also sing of her kind soul.
“Your first masquerade ball,” Aunt Celine adds while joining us.
I run my fingers down the crimson lace gown. Aunt Helena hands me my burgundy suede heels, and I sit on the ottoman to fasten the straps around my ankles.
When we’re finished, my father and Benny stand at the base of the stairs, waiting for us. Tonight will be my first event without Benny, and there’s no veiling the concern on their faces. At first, my father said no to my attendance. My aunts saved the day and promised to watch over me. Bruno and Luca will also escort us.
“Enjoy your night,” my father says with reluctance, his Adam’s apple bobbing. “You’ll be the most breathtaking woman there.”
“Thank you.” I grin, lifting my mask to reveal my face. I chose a black cat-eye-shaped one with cascading opals hanging from the bottom.
“Bruno stays with you at all times.” And just like that, his attitude went from a sweet father to an overbearing one. His attention cuts to Luca. “And you watch every inch of that place.”
Luca furrows his brows. “I can’t believe you’re forcing me to go to this shit.”
“Well, believe it,” my father snaps.
Aunt Helena shakes her head at Luca’s attitude.
Luca might be her son, but everyone knows you respect the boss at all times.
My father and Benny kiss my cheek before I climb into the back seat of Luca’s Suburban. When we leave, I pull my phone from my clutch after it beeps with a text.
Natalia: Have fun! Your dress is gorgeous!
I frown, wishing she were with me.
Me: What are you doing tonight?
Natalia: Dinner with Vinny.
I gulp in distaste. As much as I love Natalia, she’s pissing me off. I’ve warned her against Vinny so many times that it’s probably coming off as controlling.
Me: Be careful with him.
Vinny has her wrapped around his finger, whispering lie after lie into her ear. He swears he’ll marry her, which will never happen. Natalia will be his mistress, not his wife. And eventually, when she opens her eyes and realizes what a monster he is, I’ll have to run to my father to protect her from Vinny’s fury.
I dread that day.
The masquerade ball is unlike any event I’ve ever attended.
