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“Like it? I fucking loved it, princess. You’re a natural at it. I can’t wait to do that more. One perk of having a wife, I suppose.”
I swat his chest. “Don’t be an ass.”
“I’m always an ass. And speaking of asses…” He gently spanks mine, making me jump. “I have to get ready.”
“Ready for what?”
He hesitates and then flashes me a smile. “There’s this party going on tonight. In the city. Do you want to join me?”
“A party?”
“A fancy dinner party. I can buy you a new dress.”
I remember the last time we went dress shopping. It was for our wedding. “What’s the catch? You just randomly want to go to a party? What party?”
“There’s this annual event that happens every year. It’s happening again tonight. I just remembered. Want to come with?”
I shrug. If it gets me out of this house, then I’ll gladly take it. “I guess.”
“Great.” He lets me go and gets out of bed. Instantly, I feel colder.
I can tell Finn is keeping something from me but I won’t know unless I go with him to this party.
So I force myself out of the bed even though my body is sore with every step I take.
The party in question is a masquerade ball held at a museum in the heart of the city.
Finn bought me a deep, red dress that he said made my skin look good enough to eat. I thought maybe he would actually eat me. I wouldn’t put it past Finn to be a fucking cannibal.
Finn looks handsome in a black suit. The red mask over his eyes makes him look more like the devil. My own gold mask is run of the mill. A lot of women are wearing gold masks.
We’re let into the party without any problems. Finn actually has an invitation.
“What is this?” I ask once we’re inside. “What’s going on, Finn? You just randomly want to go to some party?”
“I might have asked my mom a favor when I was at her house. She secured the invitation for me. I knew this party was happening. I wanted to go.”
“Yes, but why?” I look around the room and don’t recognize anybody because of all the masks. It’s the perfect place to hide out in plain sight.
Then it dawns on me.
I look at Finn harder. “Is Dante here tonight? Erik Koslov?”
His lips slowly curl up into a creepy smile. “Why ever would you think that?”
“Because I know you, Finn. You never do anything without a reason. What is happening at this party? Why did you want to come?”
He pulls me off to the side and away from the crowd. “I’m going to kill Erik Koslov. There. Happy? This is his party. It’s his annual charity event he holds every year.”
“What? You’re going to kill him here?” I look around the room. There has to be over a hundred people in attendance.
“Yep.”
“Why?”
“Because I realized I can’t kill Dante without losing you. But you don’t have any connection to Erik. If I kill him, that weakens Dante and then I can work with Viktor on securing more power. We’ll be rich, you and me, princess. We’ll be one of the most powerful couples in the entire city. Hell, in the entire world.”
I stare at him like he’s crazy because heiscrazy. “You’re going to kill Erik in a crowded room full of people? Finn, you’re going to get caught. Erik will have a ton of bodyguards around.”