Page 24 of Don’t Break My Heart (Secrets of Ravens Hollow #3)

Onyx pulls our new Maserati Quattroporte, fully equipped with extra security features, into the turn circle of the estate mansion where the masquerade ball is being held tonight for one of the Moretti charities.

I have no idea what charity, I can’t keep up with the businesses they have, let alone their charities.

I stare out of the bullet-proof glass, wondering what fresh hell tonight has in store for me.

Nothing good has come from being in this country.

If anything, every day only feels as though it gets worse.

Onyx moves to my door and opens it for me, his gun visible at his waistband, a constant reminder of the warning he is to every fucker to stay away from me.

I flick the train of my long silk gown out of the way so I can step out of the car and take his waiting hand.

Reef is on the other side, opening the door for Romeo.

Even under their black masks I don’t miss the look they share.

Things are tense between them, I can feel it, and I’m not sure why, but this pressure-cooker situation would get to even the best couples.

Orlando is right behind me, the fabric of his tuxedo brushing around my bare arm as he links his arm with mine. “Tonight is all about looking the part, treasure.”

I fix my mask in place, glancing back at his handsome face, knowing what he’s saying.

I have to play the part and behave like a good little wife.

Tonight, I have no intention of fighting with him.

Not when I know how fragile he still is.

If it was up to me, he wouldn’t be out of our villa at all.

“Let’s get this over and done with quickly then. ” I offer a half smile that he returns.

I think he’s almost surprised I’m making this easy for him, but I know how important tonight is.

I overheard him and Romeo talking earlier.

Dante Conti is going to be here. It’s the only reason we have to come.

They have some deal to cut with him. Another loose end that needs to be tied up before we can go home.

And after the threat he sent to our villa the other night, I need him dealt with as well.

Onyx falls into step beside me, lowering his head to my ear. “Have you got your gun?”

I wink at him so he knows I’m all good. I have a gun strapped to my thigh and my trusty knife in my handbag. You can never be too safe at a magical charity ball.

I’m in awe as we approach the beautiful old building.

Its weathered stone facade, towers before us as we climb the worn stone steps up to the grand oak entry hall.

Our tickets are checked by a young woman in a black sparkly number on the door, as a classical version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” plays on a grand piano, welcoming us and setting a romantic mood to this masquerade ball as it drifts through the air.

The main hall is filled with people in expensive suits and stunning evening gowns mingling with flutes filled with bubbly, as their happy chatter pulls us into the room.

“Champagne, wildcat?” Reef offers me, his smile forced.

“Thanks.” I smile back at him, and Romeo wanders to the bar. I watch them, unable to help it. Romeo’s posture is tense, and Reef keeps his distance, his hands in his suit pockets like a physical barrier between them. “Why are they fighting?” I ask Orlando and Onyx .

Onyx glances their way and back to me and shrugs, even though I know he knows full well what the fuck is going on. He sees everything.

“This situation isn’t easy for any of us,” is all Orlando says in response.

“Because Reef was forced to leave his job and move to Italy. No shit,” I snap back, feeling for him.

“Can you at least try and act like a lady tonight, treasure? Less of the profanity,” Orlando says, a little disappointed.

I purse my lips, getting irritated even though I promised myself I would try. “We both know I’m no lady.”

Onyx stifles a laugh, and I know he agrees.

Orlando takes my hand, his expression telling me he needs me to try. “Dance with me.” He kisses the back of my fingers, his gaze loving even though I know he’s on edge.

“Do I have to? I can promise you I have two left feet.”

Even with my protest, his hand comes to the small of my back, and he directs me to the dance floor that already holds a sea of bodies, moving to the instrumental version of “Lovefool.” In this part of the ballroom there is a full six-piece orchestra.

He pulls my body in closer to his, positioning me just the way he wants me. “I know this is difficult for you, but let me lead.”

“It’s your toes’ funeral.” I laugh softly. It’s not long before I get lost in his overwhelming scent and the comforting way he holds me, allowing him to glide me across the dance floor, our bodies working together.

I glance over Orlando’s shoulder and see a man watching me from the balcony.

He’s tall, with broad shoulders and the kind of confidence that comes from power.

His dark hair is neatly styled, not a strand out of place, a sharp contrast to his piercing blue eyes that seem to strip the truth from anyone they land on.

When they lock with mine there is an unsettling intensity in them, like staring into the eyes of a wild beast right before it rips you limb from limb.

I quickly look away, wondering who the hell he is.

Orlando spins me in his arms, directing me around the dance floor with more grace than I knew this man could hold.

Distracted, I go to move in the opposite direction and bump with his chest. He winces in pain.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed, much less directing me around a dance floor,” I tell him, annoyed with myself for hurting him.

“I’m fine, treasure,” he grumbles in a way that I know he’s not. He might be drugged up on painkillers, but nothing is strong enough to control the pain he must still be in.

I look him over in a way that says I know he’s not, but I know I won’t win this argument. He spins me just to prove he’s okay, and I can’t help but laugh. This man is more stubborn than I am. And maybe that’s why I fell for him.

Across the room I see Reef, Romeo, and Onyx all gathered with some drinks.

Reef holds up my champagne glass as if to say, “I have your drink when you’re ready.

” His smile is soft and filled with how much he adores me, and I know it’s not me he’s annoyed with, just Romeo.

And that makes me wonder what he knows that I don’t.

I find the stranger’s gaze again, his expression filled with curiosity. But there is a shadow beneath it, something darker, that sends a shiver down my spine. A predator’s interest. As though he isn’t just observing the room, he’s calculating it, and I’m in his sights.

“I’m going to use the restroom, I’ll give your feet a break,” I say with a cheeky smirk, as the song comes to an end.

I feel Onyx behind me as I cross the room. He follows me right to the door, leaning into the adjacent wall. His dark gaze tells me to be fucking quick because he doesn’t want me alone .

Soft music filters through the air of the opulent marble bathroom, and I breathe a sigh of relief, having a second to myself.

There is always someone right there at my side, and it’s slowly starting to give me claustrophobia.

Glancing at my appearance in the mirror, I tip up my lace mask to check my eye make-up and re-apply my peach lipstick.

I didn’t even need the bathroom, I just needed space from them.

From this situation, the constant feeling of four sets of eyes on me.

Back on the island, I thought maybe I could handle four boyfriends, but that was when it was an even playing field.

Now I’m married to Orlando and having to show the world I’m his wife, while the others stand by watching.

The injustice of the situation kills me.

Poor Reef and Onyx having to follow us around and pretend to be okay with it.

Even Romeo must feel like he’s lost me to his brother.

I take hold of the basin and suck in a deep breath.

Get back out there, Sloane, pretend a little longer, then go back to the villa and show them this isn’t what you want.

It’s all I can do, because the lack of control out here in the wild is starting to slowly suck the life out of me.

As I go to push on the door, I see a quick flash of black out of the corner of my eye. My hand instinctively flies to the knife in my bag, its cold steel pressing against the man’s throat before he can even react. He stares down at me, sucking in a ragged breath.

“Who the fuck are you?” I press the knife closer to his throat, the tip drawing a drop of blood that rolls down his neck over his stubble and lands on his crisp white shirt.

“Dante Conti.” A devilish grin stretches across his face as he stares back at me, his blue eyes gleaming with malice, not affected by my weapon positioned so dangerously close to a major artery.

“It’s nice to finally meet you, Miss Stryker.

” His accent is thick, but my name rolls off his tongue as though he has rehearsed that line a million times before.

This is the asshole who’s been watching me tonight .

The use of my real name makes me flinch, but I don’t show it, not to him. I hold the knife strong, ready to kill him at one wrong move. My glare intensifies to icy. “The same Dante Conti who sent two men to kill me in my sleep just a couple of nights ago?”

“They weren’t there to kill you,” he says, his voice strained from the knife digging just a little further into his neck. “I sent them to rescue you.”

“Bullshit, how fucking stupid do you think I am?” My fingers curl tighter around the knife, itching to plunge it deep into his throat. This fucker wants me dead, Emilio said he would, and now he’s here to get the job done.

“Not at all. We both know your new brother-in-law wants you dead, not me.”