I won’t mess this up. I didn’t hurt Zane for nothing. I did this for him, for us. Now, I just have to figure out how to escape… the wheels in my head start turning. Tonight. I’ll make my move tonight. Matteo will be too focused on the guests to notice if I go missing, plus, with all the traffic in and out of this place, I’ll have enough of a distraction.
My lips turn up into a sly smile. My heart may be broken, but it won’t be forever. I’ll make this right.
Two hours of hair and makeup later, and I’m finally getting into the strapless red piece that Matteo picked out for today. It’s tight and shows off my breasts and slim waist. I can barely breathe in the damn thing. Looking in the mirror at my reflection, I’m tempted to take it off. I hate it, hate it so much because all it’s going to do is draw unwanted attention. I don’t want everyone staring at me, watching me, whispering about me as I pass by them. My snowy-white skin looks even paler, and though my hair and makeup is pure perfection, the rest of me just looks blah. Then there’s the fact that Zane isn’t here tonight. I’m lost without him, like a broken compass that doesn’t know its way.
All the thoughts swirl and weigh heavily on my shoulders. Grabbing onto the marble counter just to have something to hang onto, I count back from ten in my mind. By the time I reach zero, I’m a sliver less likely to have a full-on mental breakdown. The door to the bedroom creaks open, and I step out of the bathroom just in time to see Matteo walking into my room, his dark hair is slicked back, and the suit he wears clings to his body like a second skin. He looks every bit as evil as I know he is.
“My dear, you look so beautiful.” He reaches for my hand and brings it to his lips, pressing a kiss to the skin. I do my best not to tug from his grasp.
“Thank you, you look great as well.”
Dropping my hand, he smiles, his eyes twinkling with appreciation. “I wanted to let you know that I’m very proud of you. I didn’t think you would do it, but like always, you surprise me.”
He’s referring to my breakup with Zane. Great, now he wants to talk about it.
“It had to happen, it was him or my obligation to the family, and I wasn’t going to choose some man over you. You’re the only family I have, and the last thing I want to be is a disappointment.” I bat my eyes for effect and watch as the mask on his face melts away like a chocolate bar sitting on steaming hot pavement.
“You could never disappoint me. You have Castro blood running through your veins. It’s not in us to do such a thing.” I almost snort at his response but suppress it at the last second, and instead, cover it up with a massive smile.
“Shall we get to the party?” I ask in an overly excited tone.
“We shall.” He smiles down at me, and I try not to sink deeper into the uneasiness that’s pooling around my feet. As we descend the stairs, people cheer, and I realize then that the festivities have already started. My eyes collide with Alberto’s dark ones. He’s waiting at the end of the stairs for us. I can see the desire rolling off of him in waves.
He thinks he has a chance, a shot at being with me. He doesn’t know shit. My father passes me off to him, and I take his arm in mine, ignoring the churning in my gut that his touch brings. Matteo dismisses me and starts chatting with two men that look to be of some importance.
“You look absolutely divine,” Alberto murmurs into the shell of my ear as he guides me through the maze of people. I recognize a few faces from the previous welcome home party, but none of the names from that night stuck, so all over again, I feel lost in a sea of unknown faces. It’s even worse this time because Zane isn’t here.
My chest tightens at the thought of him, and it feels like someone is using my heart as a damn stress ball.
“Look how excited everyone is to see us together.” Alberto tightens his hold on me, almost as if he’s trying to show everyone how possessive he is. “I can’t wait to make you my wife and solidify our stronghold over the west. No one will think to try and fight us.”
I don’t dare tell him the only thing he’s going to be looking forward to is his death because then that would ruin the surprise. Smiling up at him because there are so many wandering eyes, and I need to continue to play the part, I let him walk me through the double French doors and outside. The garden has been transformed into a party area with a buffet, tables, and chairs.