Who comes to a fancy dress party dressed as a gentleman?”
I come dressed as one because it’s not for my party. I’ve dressed like this for Mila’s.
He shoves a shot of green shit at me, and I snatch it from his hand just to shut him up. Throwing it back, I leave him to enjoy the party with the others and slip into the shadows. I know every point my father’s men are keeping watch at, and I duck out behind the pool house and make my way out to the back road where a rental car is waiting for me.
The trip across town is filled with people celebrating on the streets, in bars, and in restaurants. People sell tickets to the destined couple’s birthday celebrations and make a fortune because of us.
The sky lights up with colourful fireworks as I park a couple of streets over from the Camarco estate. Reaching into the glove compartment, I take out my mask—half black, half gold—and slip it on before grabbing my invitation. The one I had Father Luke acquire for me.
The streets are quiet around me, lined with cars and guards. My heart beats erratically as I hold up my invitation to each guard I pass, then flips as I stroll through the gates like I belong here.
Flashing my invitation to the two goons at the door, they step aside, and I walk into the lion’s den. Popular music is playing from the back of the house. It’s like a party for an adult—a bored stiff adult.
I don’t recognise anyone, especially with their faces hidden behind masks. Seeing the people coming and going from the grand archway, that’s where I head.
I spot Alessandro first, sitting at a large round table. I recognise him because of his round belly and curly grey hair. There are some things a mask cannot hide.
I’m guessing the dark-haired woman beside him is Mila’s mother, but I don’t see Mila with them. I stalk through the guests standing in small groups, talking or dancing, my eyes roaming over everyone.
Where is she? One thing I do know is that the two families party very differently.
A couple wearing matching black masks finish their dance, and as they step aside to take a drink from a passing waiter dressed as a dark jester, I see her. Standing in a group of four women, her white lace mask covers half her face and neck, attaching itself to her floor length dress. My mouth goes dry at the sight of her. She’s an angel. No one else is dressed in white apart from the birthday girl. My feet begin to move, and don’t stop until I’m in front of her, holding out my hand.
“Ms. Camarco, would you do me the honour of this dance?”
Her dark brown eyes widen beneath the lace while the women stare at me.
Two of them whisper between themselves, but I only have eyes for the girl in white.
Taking my hand, she walks beside me until we’re in the middle of the dance floor.
Taking our positions, I feel her fear. But as scared as she is right now, I can’t help but feel on top of the world. Not only do I have the love of my life in my arms, but I’m dancing with her under her father’s nose, and he has no idea.
He would never expect a Marocchi to step foot in his home, especially alone.
“What are you doing here?” she whispers as I spin us around.
“I couldn’t not see you on your birthday. Don’t be afraid, your father won’t know who I am. I just want one dance, and then I’ll leave. I missed you, and I had to see you.”
Her lips spread into a slow smile, and she relaxes.
“You’re daringly stupid, but I’m glad you’re here.”
“I have a gift for you in my breast pocket. I’ll spin you out, and when you come back in, take it,” I whisper as we sway to the music.
Stepping back, I follow through on my plan by spinning her out and back into me. I wait until she has her gift clutched in her hand before putting a respectable distance between us as not to cause offence to her father. I only have one dance with her, and I don’t want it cut short because of him.
“Don’t try to look at it now. Wait until you’re alone.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a diamond-encrusted cross with our initials engraved on the back.”
I had it specially made for her. She’s worth every penny