Page 6 of His to Claim

A lot of attention has been directed toward me and I think it’s sweet that they’re so gung-ho about finding me a man tonight. I’m not going to pretend to be cool about it, either, because all day, my nerves have been bouncing around in my belly. I’m not sure why exactly, but I have the strangest premonition that I might just meet someone special.

Of course, I don’t want to get my hopes up too high and have them come crashing down all around me after I meet no one and return home alone. But, I’m feeling extremely hopeful and have a good feeling like I haven’t had in the longest time. I don’t even remember the last time I was this excited to go out. Maybe it’s because I get to wear a big, beautiful dress or because I get to hide behind a mask and there’s such an element of mystery to the upcoming evening. Whatever it is, I’m ready.

Although Miceli and Enzo have attended the masquerade party benefit in previous years, the rest of us haven’t, so it should be a fun evening.

“Wow,” Hannah murmurs, stepping back and looking me over. She just adjusted a red ribbon on my dress. “You look stunning, Lottie.”

An appreciative flush makes my face turn warm. “So do you,” I say. “You all do. How my brothers managed to snag the most beautiful women in New York is beyond me.”

Alessia tilts her head and grins. “They are lucky, aren’t they?”

The girls all agree with smiles then focus back on me.

“And you look beyond amazing,” Alessia states. “I think every male eye is going to be on the Queen of Hearts tonight.”

“Thanks, but I’m not going to get my hopes up,” I tell them.”well, maybe just a little.”

“You’re going to be a hit,” Gabriella predicts, and Blake nods encouragingly, tossing me a wink.

I sure hope so.

Once we’re done primping, we all sweep out into the living room and the men whistle and express their appreciation.

“Lookin’ good, Lottie,” Angelo says, and the rest of my brothers nod.

“Stay close to us,” Miceli states, eyeing me with a frown.

“Why?” I ask.

“Because I have a feeling I’m going to have to beat the guys off in order to keep them away from you.”

“She doesn’t want to keep them away,” Alessia informs her husband, but he only grunts in response.

My brothers can be extremely overprotective, but I suppose it’s a good thing. Tonight, however, they can lay off. And if they don’t? Well, then I guess I’m going to have to sneak away in order to do a little flirting.

“I’ll be fine,” I assure them, but I don’t miss the worried looks they’re all exchanging.

Lifting my voluminous skirts, I follow Miceli and Alessia down to his Range Rover. Everyone drives separately, but since I’m a third wheel, I have to tag along with someone. My skirts are way too big to stuff into some of the smaller cars, so I figure my best bet is to get in the SUV so I can spread them out on the backseat.

On the drive over, Miceli tells Alessia and I about a phone call he received from his mysterious friend, Archer. He warned my brother about Carmine Gallo, a ruthless businessman who put Angelo and Blake on something called the Kill List not long ago. They ended up flipping the tables and Blake had every bounty hunter and assassin in the city going after Gallo. Apparently, he’s holding a massive grudge and is out to usurp my family’s position of power at the table of the Five Families.

I don’t get too involved with the mafia side of things. That’s Miceli’s domain. But things have changed over the last year and now I’m encouraged to attend meetings with the alliance which consists of the five most powerful mafia families in the city—The Rossi’s, The Bianchi’s, The DeLuca’s, The Caparelli’s and The Milano’s.

At one time, we all had a very strained relationship. There was plenty of strife and rivalry, especially between certain members. But the bad apples have all been weeded out and eliminated. Our families have come to the realization that it’s more beneficial to work together than against each other. Plus, no one wants Gallo at the table But I have a feeling he isn’t going to give up easily.

All of that is out of my hands, though, and I’ll leave it up to my brothers to handle. Or, so I think, at the time.

Once we reach the fancy hotel where the event is taking place, my mouth drops at the long procession of expensive cars waiting in the valet line. “Oh, wow,” I murmur, pressing my nose against the glass. “I didn’t know this was such a big deal.”

“Everyone of importance in this city attends the masquerade,” Miceli informs me. “I don’t give a shit about kissing ass or rubbing elbows with these people, but my wife likes dressing up.” He smiles at Alessia. “Plus, it’s for a good cause.”

“A very worthy cause,” Alessia reiterates. “The Prevention of Child Abuse. And anything we can do to help, we will, Plus, yes, I do love dressing up in a fancy gown. I can’t believe you haven’t attended yet, Lottie.”

I shrug. “No. Tonight will be my first time.”

There’s no denying the excitement running through my body. Everyone getting out of their cars is dressed to the nines and I love seeing all the costumes. Once we get closer to the drop off point, I place my mask over my face and tie the ribbons at the back of my head. Some people appear to be dressed as characters or following a theme. Kind of like me.

Tonight, I’m dressed up like the Queen of Hearts. A little ironic, I know, but when I saw the gown and matching mask, I couldn’t resist. The little twist on the character from Alice in Wonderland has me looking much more glamorous than the short, dumpy, unlikeable queen who screamed “Off with his head!”

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