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“You don’t have to do this,” Sebastian says, as if reading my thoughts. He takes my face between his hands, cradling it as he gazes into my eyes. “I told you, we can run. Find that yacht and leave this all behind.”
I feel an ache of longing, but I know, it’s not real. “But what about Scarlett?” I remind him. “Your mom… Bianca, and Brian’s family… It would be selfish of us to disappear into the sunset, when they deserve justice, too.”
Sebastian nods, his jaw set. His eyes already steely with determination. “I know,” he says. “But you don’t have to do this—”
“Yes, I do.” I give him a kiss, my heart aching, but full. “It’s you and me, together. No matter what.”
Seb kisses my forehead, then releases me. “You have everything you need?”
I nod, patting my bag. We stopped by a tech store and picked up some goodies before making the trip. I have a panic button that’s connected to a receiver that Sebastian has, just in case, plus some other things. “See you soon,” he promises, then sets off towards the woods to the side of the house. His shadow is quickly swallowed in the darkness.
I gulp. It’s up to me now.
I make my way across the meadow, and down towards the house, out of sight. No one notices me slip through the gardens, and I circle around to near where the line of cars is backing up the driveway; drivers leaning on their horns in protest as the caravan slowly snakes closer to the main doors.
“Get a move on!” a posh sounding voice echoes from one of the limousines, and laughter follows.
“This is taking forever!”
“It’s not far. Come on, it’ll be quicker to walk!”
A group of half-a-dozen people emerges from the limo, all dressed to the nines, clutching evening bags and tuxedo jackets, shrieking with tipsy laughter.
Clearly, the party started early for them.
“But my heels…” one of the women protests, waving her mask around.
“I’ll carry you. Hop on!” There’s more laughter as she clambers onto one of the men in a drunken piggyback, and they all make their way up the gravel driveway towards the house.
I step out of the shadows and join them as they approach the security guards on duty, acting like I’m a part of their group.
“Isn’t this a hoot?” the girl riding on his back cries to me, and I give a big smile.
“Such a riot!” I agree, making my voice plummy, like theirs.
“I just love your dress,” another tells me, beaming.
“Thanks!” I smile back. “Although, I wish I’d worn flat shoes. Nobody told me it would be a hike!”
“I know!”
The girls chorus in agreement as we bustle up to the doors. My pulse kicks as one of the guys produces a fistful of printed invitations, and waves them at a bouncer, who tries to examine them as the group pushes inside, still laughing and chatting at full volume.
“Miss?” one of the security guards tries to stop me, but I just gesture vaguely at the others.
“I’m with them!” I call, and let the group sweep me inside, as the guard turns, distracted another new arrival.
I catch my breath, delighted.
I’m in!
I slip away from my new friends and take a beat to look around and absorb the scene. The last time Sebastian and I were here, it was for a casual family dinner. Tonight, there’s nothing casual about the scene. Richard and Trudy have gone all out with the opulent masquerade theme. There are gold and silver flower arrangements everywhere, a huge live jazz band at one end of the great room, and dancing spilling out onto the terrace beyond. In one room, a lavish buffet is groaning with fine foods: massive, tiered seafood towers of oysters and lobster, caviar boats, and in the next, bartenders craft fancy cocktails and pour champagne.
I shoot a glance at the glass mezzanine level above the main party. Richard’s office is up there, and I’m dying to take a look, but I have to stick to the plan. The crowd is huge, and having a great time, dancing, chatting, and even gambling in a room staged to look like an exclusive casino, with card dealers in matching uniforms. And holding court over the whole party, beaming happily, is Sebastian’s mother, Trudy. And by her side…
Richard.
I slip back behind a pillar, as they move closer through the crowd, greeting old friends, their conversation audible nearby.
