Page 77 of Twilight Mask

After this, I’ll be better to my family. I’ll treat them how they deserve to be treated. Even Simon, that fucking asshole.

“There you are, baby. I’ve been looking for you all night.”

I go very still. A chill runs down my spine and my heart rate doubles. I’m standing near the back hall in a dark little corner, observing the room, and the voice is coming from my left. I don’t want to look; I have to turn around.

Jackal lingers at my elbow, close enough to touch.

God, yes, it’s him. That mask, with the big ears and the gold details, and those beautiful gray eyes. It’s Jackal, and it’s also Marco. Both of my men are here, just like I knew they would be. I turn toward him, fighting the need to throw my arms around him, rip his mask off, and kiss him like I’ve been dreaming about kissing him for days now.

“I knew you’d show up,” I whisper, and I can’t believe it when my voice cracks. How did I get this emotional? What did this man do to me? Whatever it is, I love it. I really love it.

“You think I could stay away?” He touches my arm. It’s a small touch, almost appropriate, almost normal. Except it means everything.

“I want to tackle you and kiss you until your face bleeds.”

“And I want to strip you right there on top of one of your sculptures and lick you until you scream.”

“God, you’re so fucked up. Would you blindfold me first? Spank me?”

“Tie your ankles together until you’re helpless, then make you choose how I hurt you first.”

I shiver, my body tingling at the thought of playing a game with him again. “I missed you.”

“I’m here now.” His touch on my arm tightens into something possessive. “But we don’t have much time.”

“They’re coming, aren’t they?”

He nods slowly, not taking his eyes off me. I’m not sure he can right now, and I know for sure I couldn’t glance back at the crowd even if a screaming naked man on fire came running through the room.

“I don’t know the details,” he says urgently. “They iced me out and Valentina wouldn’t tell me. Ronan stopped taking my calls after I called him a fucking cocksucker and tried to talk him out of this again.”

“You’re so diplomatic.”

“Fuck being diplomatic. I’ve been charming and diplomatic for far too fucking long and I’m tired of it.” He moves closer, his voice pitching lower. “I’m taking what I want now, and I don’t give a fuck what the consequences are.”

I stare at him and have to bite my lip to keep myself from screaming his name. Jackal. Marco. My men. Everything I need.

A figure separates itself from the crowd. I turn, surprised, as Angelo approaches. His mask covers the left half of his face, painted white, blue, gold, and red.

He stops a few feet away. Jackal doesn’t release my arm, and I don’t try to pull away. Angelo’s face is tense and pained, not very well hidden. “This is him, isn’t it?” he asks, looking between us, before settling his gaze on me. “This is Marco.”

I nod slowly. “Angelo, meet my boyfriend.”

Marco lets out a satisfied little grunt. “Good to meet you,” he says.

“You sure about that? Before you got involved with my sister, I’m pretty sure you would’ve tried to kill me.”

“And you would’ve tried the same thing. People change.”

Angelo’s jaw works. He stares at Marco, who stares right back, unflinching. This little display of alpha machismo is a little bit much, even for me.

I step away from Jackal slightly and punch Angelo in the arm. “Hey, dickhead, what do you want? Are you just here to cause trouble?”

His expression turns alarmed, and he blinks a few times before shaking his head. His jaw softens as he looks at me. “Nah, no trouble. I guess this thing is real? Even though he’s on their side?”

“I’m only on her side,” Jackal says.

Which makes my heart flutter. When did my heart become capable of fluttering? God, I’m so fucking lame, but I like it.

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