Page 8 of Autumn Ritual

“So, we’re spending the night in silence?!”

He nodded once.

How stupid. I’d expected at least a minimal conversation to bolster me through the teeth-pulling ordeal that was the harvest ball. There was only one reason for his silence. Well…two, actually. Either he couldn’t talk, which was sad but not his fault. Or, the more likely reason, he wanted to be mysterious. Chatting would give away his identity.

So, I decided to do what I did best. I observed him.

We walked in silence to his car, which was one of the famiglia’s. That meant he was close to the upper echelons of the organization to have access to a Rolls-Royce. But since the don kept a garage available for his goons to use, it didn’t pinpoint who this Made Man was. Plus, I already knew he was powerful enough. That was why he was able to demand this farce from my father.

The bastard.

I should ditch him. Dance with someone else. But as he reached past me to open the door, my heart thumped against my ribs.

Cavolo, the mystery was thrilling.

My escort held out his hand to help me sit. I didn’t see any marks or defining scars on his hands that would offer proof as to who he was. Oh, there were scars. Lots of them. But that wasn’t unusual for a man of his profession. He was tall and well built. His hair was dark and cut short. I ground my molars in frustration as he closed the door and came around to the driver’s side.

I debated ripping off the mask.

I almost did it as we backed out.

But then he pressed play on the Bluetooth, and the haunted strains of Paganini swept through the cab.

The devil’s violinist.

How did he know? I twisted in my seat and peered at the masked man. The black roses. This heart-wrenchingly beautiful music. This man knew me.

“Have you always lived in the Cove?” I demanded.

My masked date nodded.

“Do we…know one another?” The words came out slightly breathless.

His grip on the wheel tightened, but he gave another dip of his head in assent.

I began to rattle off names. His lack of response didn’t unsettle me, though. If he didn’t want to talk, then fine; I could chat for both of us. The drive was short, since the venue was on this side of town, and he didn’t respond to a single name, only drove. I couldn’t even pick out a subtle reaction to one of the names that would give him away.

That only made me all the more determined to figure him out.

Chapter 5 – Cam

Ahushed breath filled with awe escaped those rosy lips. I grinned down at my little flower as she took in the kaleidoscope of color. Palazzo Luna was an old industrial building situated on the marina, all glass and brick. The far end was open; the great doors hitched to the sides for guests to stroll on the lawn. There were heat lamps there to combat the cooler breezes. Beyond, the smoky aroma of a bonfire wafted through the double doors. Inside, deep crimson tablecloths lay on tables. Pops of orange blazed in the décor, but it was the bursts of gold that made this space feel regal.

It was nothing compared to the woman walking beside me.

She was divinity incarnate.

The dress hugged her curves. Shadows moved as she walked, the material swishing like a cloud of midnight air.

“You’re going to have to take that thing off your face to eat or drink,” Sara commented as we wove through the tables.

I flicked a glance down at her, catching her eye.

Oh, my sweet angel, only if I can devour you.

As if she sensed my thoughts, Sara looked away quickly, trying and failing to hide the shiver that skittered over her skin.

“I’ll take that as a no,” she muttered. “You’re seriously passing up on apple tarts and mulled wine, though? You must be insane!”