Page 78 of Twilight Mask

Angelo smiles slightly. “Alright. I get it. Look, I’ve been where you two are, sort of, and I understand what you’re feeling.”

“Doubt that,” I tell him.

“As a peace offering, there’s an office upstairs. Take the steps behind you two and have a little alone time.” His smile fades away. “Don’t take long though. More bids are coming in and I want you to meet a few of your new patrons.”

I stare at my brother, finding this hard to believe, but he’s clearly not kidding. “You’re not going to rat us out to Simon?”

“Fuck no. Simon would lose his mind, are you kidding me? Just go have a few minutes to yourselves then come back down.” Angelo nods at Marco. “I hope you feel the same way she does.”

“I do, and more.”

He laughs and walks away. I stare at my brother’s back and catch sight of Claudia beyond him: she’s grinning and gives me a little wave.

Well, damn.

“Come on.” Jackal’s hand on my arm again. He steers me toward the hall and I follow him, my belly a mess of excitement and nerves. “We should take advantage of your brother’s generosity.”

“What if this is a trap somehow?” I ask as we ascend the narrow staircase. At the top is a short landing and a door. “Wait a second, what if my brothers are trying to catch you?—”

But Jackal turns the knob, and beyond is a simple space with a desk, some filing cabinets, and an old black couch. The light’s on, and it’s empty. I let the door shut behind me, and Jackal turns to face me, looking too big for the space. He tilts his head, and I swear he’s smirking at me. His hands spread.

“Looks like we really are alone,” he says.

I rip off my mask and throw it aside before charging at him. I catch the edge of his and yank it up, revealing his mouth, that beautiful mouth, and bury my lips on his. No more talk. No more discussion. I kiss him the way I’ve been needing to be kissed all this time, and he doesn’t disappoint. He’s as hungry as I am.

“We need to talk,” he says, practically gasping for air. “Baby?—”

“We’ll talk after I’m finished with this,” I say, pressing myself tighter against him. “Just kiss me for a while longer, okay?”

His only response is to slip his tongue into my mouth, and that’s all I need.

Chapter 37

Marco

Islip back down the staircase alone ten minutes later, my tongue still tasting like my Laura, my dick half-hard, and my heart racing in my throat.

Walking away from her was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, but it was necessary. We can’t draw too much attention to ourselves, especially now that most of the people in this room know who she is. At least, they know the girl in her mask is the artist.

I catch Angelo’s eye as I walk past. He gives me a very slight nod, which I return. Feels fucking bizarre, playing nice with a Bianco, but of all the brothers, at least he was in prison for the worst of the fighting.

They’re always going to be my enemies. I don’t think I have forgiveness in my heart, not enough to encompass all of them at least. It’s not easy, lingering in this room knowing Simon Bianco is maybe fifty feet away at all times, but Laura overrides all that.

I don’t have to like them. I just have to stop trying to kill them.

If it means I can have her, I’ll let it go.

The crowd is packed into the gallery space. A low, constant murmur of conversation fills the rooms. Everyone’s in a mask, which makes this situation a thousand times more dangerous. Adam’s coming, and he’s bringing Dusan, Julien, and Ronan, and they’re going to do some serious damage. I don’t know how, and I don’t know when, but it’ll be soon, while the party’s still ongoing.

Focus. Stick to the plan. I head up to the bar and get a glass of whiskey. It’s awkward to drink and I have to tilt my mask back, but the alcohol helps steady my nerves and gives me something to do while I study the crowd, trying desperately to spot my former allies.

I hate this. I don’t want to be here. But Laura was adamant, and no amount of convincing would change her mind. She believes tonight is our best shot at getting her away from her older brother, and she’s probably right, at least in the near future. I’d rather wait for another opportunity, even if it takes years to come around, instead of risking her life at this party. She doesn’t give a damn what I think.

It’s frustrating, but it’s also what I love about her.

“Got to be honest, I didn’t expect you to show up.”

I look to my left. A woman in a green-and-black snake mask is staring at me. She’s got luscious dark hair, and her dress is red and clinging to her body. She’d be beautiful, if I didn’t know her so fucking well.

---