“There are ways I can persuade you to reconsider.” He dips me suddenly, just like he did that night of the gala, then pulls me back upright, holding me closer to his body than before.
Over his shoulder, it seems like all eyes are on us, watching us move and sway.
“You could never persuade me to change how I think of you,” I seethe through a strained smile. With all eyes watching, I must remember to control the anger brewing within me.
He snickers, nuzzling his cheek against mine. His voice is low and dangerous as tells me, “I know who’s behind the Phantom mask, Vinnie. Perhaps I should tell your brother?”
Every molecule in my body stands on edge, electrifying with fear as soon as the words pass his lips.
A wave of nausea crashes through me.
I stop moving, but he forces me to continue, pressing his head against mine. “Keep dancing, darling. Everyone is thrilled to see us together right now.”
Looking out into the crowd again, it seems as though time has stopped around us. Every head is turned in our direction, and it’s then I notice the crowd has dispersed from the dance floor, and a wide circle has formed around us.
Women fawn over us adoringly, while the men watch on intently as though they’re waiting for something to happen.
I scan the crowd, looking for one face.
One mask.
It takes a minute, but I find him standing at the back of the crowd, watching from over everyone's heads. Our eyes connect, but they’re impossible to read from this far, and I can’t see his expression behind the mask.
I can only hope my expression conveys the way I’m feeling.
Silently, I tell him,this isn’t what I want—he’s forcing this dance.
I’m acting, only keeping up appearances for the sake of my family and our image in the public eye.
I love you.
But I’m not sure if any of it comes across.
The song comes to a close and applause rings out around us, deafeningly loud.
August slides his hands down my arms until he reaches my hands, and at the same moment, I realize the music has stopped completely.
With my hands in his, August lowers himself to one knee.
The applause becomes muffled in my ears as I look at him in wide-eyed horror.
Time moves in slow motion as he releases my hands and pulls open his costume jacket, reaching into a concealed pocket.
I swallow down the bile in my throat.
In the next instant, he’s holding a teal box, cracking open the lid.
“No,” I gasp as my eyes connect with the enormous diamond ring, but the sound of my voice is overpowered by the cheers of the crowd.
Peering over him, my eyes search for Sly in the crowd, but I can’t find him—I can’t make out anyone's faces as the blur of tears blocks my vision.
“Vinnie Paladino,” August's voice booms, immediately hushing the crowd. “From the moment I first laid eyes on you, I knew I had to make you mine. And now I hope to keep you forever. Will you marry me?”
A lone tear falls from my eye from the absolute devastation I’m feeling inside. More threaten to fall, I can feel them collect at the bottom of my lashes, but they are as frozen as I feel.
There’s no way to describe the storm of emotions—the chaos and fear that’s sinking to the very bottom of my stomach.
On instinct, my hand covers my mouth and I look down at the diamond ring August is presenting,screaming at myself internally to shout the word that my mind won’t stop repeating.
