Page 94 of Monster in Disguise

I need to find Catalina.

Now.

I'm hyperventilating.

Minutes pass, I'm running around, and still no sign of her. I even check outside the hotel and in the parking lot, and she's not there.

"No luck?" Enzo looks as grim as I feel. I nod, and we enter the ballroom again. I'm ready to jump on Franco, convinced he's done something. After the aggression he'd displayed earlier....

I make a beeline for him, ready to shed blood.

But that's when I hear the whispers.

"What did you expect? She willingly gave birth to a bastard."

"Of course she'd lift her skirts for anyone."

"But can you believe she'd actually try to seduce Michele? Such a slut."

"Whore!"

"Slut!"

The words are being thrown around so carelessly. A group of women is gathered around the other end of the ballroom, and everyone is busy gossiping.

Some are commenting on her lack of morals, others are just repeating what they'd heard or seen.

I block it all out.

All I see is Lina. My beautiful Lina is alone in a corner, her cheeks tear-stained. Her dress has been torn at the hem, and she's trying her best to stay strong.

Catalina's eyes meet mine, and a sob escapes her lips.

In two strides, I have her in my arms. I hold on to her, trying my best to comfort her.

"What happened?" I croak, barely in control of myself.

"He... He tried..." She starts, in between hiccups. Lina tries to explain how Michele had caught her in the bathroom and she'd fought him off. My hand is on her hair, caressing her lightly and trying to assure her she's safe now.

But I failed her.

It's like someone's squeezing my heart with an iron fist. I'd promised myself to never fail her again.

It's all my fault.

I hold tighter, hoping she'll tune out the vicious tongues wagging all around us.

"Don't listen to them," I whisper, ready to take her home. I quickly remove my blazer and place it around her shoulders, turning her towards the exit.

But then the loudest voice of them all has the gall to intervene.

Franco, preening like a peacock, steps forward, bringing new accusations with him.

"You see, everyone? You see how she's trying to ruin men? She's a Jezebel, I tell you. Driving good men to their doom!" He points his finger at her.

I place Lina behind me, intent on shielding her.

Franco continues.

---