Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105679 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 528(@200wpm)___ 423(@250wpm)___ 352(@300wpm)
Every clap reverberated through my body, echoing into my heart like a loud clashing thud.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
“Are you okay?” Matteo asked, his voice gravelly and low, only for my ears.
“I’m fine,” I responded. Almost too quickly. Liars were always too quick to deny.
“You’re trembling.” The ringing in my ears was too loud; I couldn’t tell if he was admonishing me or if that was the sound of caring in his voice.
“I’m a little nervous… I mean, I haven’t done this before, you know? It’s my first time getting engaged,” I said lightly. Foolish pride filled me when my voice didn’t tremble. I actually sounded composed and poised.
And well… utterly fake. But no one knew that.
“Don’t be nervous. You look breathtaking,” Matteo said, this time loud enough for those nearby to hear the appreciative tone, the appropriate admiration a man should show his future bride.
“Why, thank you. You look quite dashing yourself,” I responded coyly.
My eyes swept over the crowd, taking in everything I could. A sea of Chicago’s and New York’s elite gathered here today to celebrate the engagement that would cement the peace between their two worlds.
My father moved forward and came to stand by my side. “Ladies and gentlemen.” His voice resonated through the ballroom. “Tonight, it brings me great pleasure to introduce my daughter, Serafina Morelli.”
Another round of applause rippled through the crowd.
“Serafina and Matteo couldn’t be a more perfect pair. They complement each other in the best way possible.” My father raised his flute, smiling as if he won the greatest jackpot.
Of course. My sacrifice, even if it was unwilling, saved his precious life. Otherwise Enzo Salvatore would have longed to put a bullet between his eyes.
“And I know, my daughter will be everything that Matteo needs to complete his life and Matteo will be the best future for Serafina.”
Thud.
I would be everything that Matteo needed… Oh yes, I had to be.
His perfect wife. The perfect breeder. The perfect mother to his children.
Nausea filled my mouth and I swallowed down the bile, a bitterness that made me want to throw up even more. But I couldn’t possibly empty my stomach all over Matteo’s polished shoes.
Oh no, that would be the opposite of perfect.
Matteo brought the hand he was still holding up, pressing his lips to the back of my gloved hand. He smiled with practiced perfection. “I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
My father grinned proudly at his words and my brother huffed in approval.
I knew it was all for show. I wouldn’t fall for his charming act. Matteo was as fake as me.
But his words resonated through my ears, cold fear wrapping around my throat like a fist.
I blinked, looking away from Matteo, as I tried to get my nerves under control. My gaze swept across the ballroom, taking in the opulent decorations, the crystal chandeliers casting golden light across the polished floor, the tables laden with champagne flutes, taking in every person in the room. Faces I didn’t recognize, all of them carefully hidden by their masks.
Gooseflesh peppered my skin and my lower spine tingled.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
My father was speaking but all the sound faded away.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
My skin tingled again.
Like it always did…
When he was watching me.
I felt the warmth of his gaze before I could even see him.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Matteo’s hand tightened around mine. He still hadn’t let go of me, his hold almost possessive. But I couldn’t focus on his touch anymore.
My eyes were searching, finding, almost desperate to seek the one who had been relentlessly hunting me with his silent gaze.
Thud.
I didn’t understand the sudden obsession that filled me to find him in this sea of unfamiliar faces and wretched strangers.
Thud.
Until a glint in the corner of the ballroom finally captured my eyes.
A shadow among shadows, hidden in the perfect darkness. Away from everyone. Alone. Secretive. Dangerous.
Thud.
There, dressed in all-black, leaning against a pillar at the periphery of the ballroom, stood Adrian. Unlike the other guests in their finery, he seemed to absorb the darkness rather than reflect the light. His posture was deceptively casual, one shoulder pressed against the marble column, a crystal tumbler dangling from his fingertips.
I found you…
I knew it was him. Even with the simple and black masquerade mask hiding half of his face. Though it did nothing to hide that sardonic curve of his lips.
Only Adrian Salvatore could wear deception and such wickedness so casually. It was subtle yet unmistakable to those who chose to pay attention.
There was another round of applause.
It didn’t matter.
Everything became muted. The colors of the ballroom. The whispers of the people. The melody of the orchestra.
It all faded away…
Even as Matteo lifted our entwined hands.
Adrian lifted the glass to his lips, taking a slow sip without breaking eye contact. Even from this distance, I felt the intensity of his gaze cutting through the pretense of the evening.