Fury erupts within me, squashing the flickers of desire that had begun to grow.
Meeting Sully’s eyes, I shake my head in disbelief. “How?”
“What do you mean,how?”
“How isthatVinnie Paladino? How could I not recognize her?”
Sully looks at me like I’m the most ignorant person in New York before he rolls his eyes and laughs loudly. “Oh, Sly. Buddy. Because only you—well, you and maybe Enzo—would be so buried in hatred for that family that you’d turn a blind eye to how smokin’ hot she’s become.”
I turn my gaze back to her—I can’t help it—and watch her dance. Her expression has turned to sadness, and the look on her face makes something tug in my chest.
“Who is she dancing with?” I ask, knowing he’ll know.
Sully is one of the most charming men in the city. There’s not a woman or man who doesn’t fawn over him. Even when their motives are not genuine, he still gets bathed in attention.
He scoffs in a way that tells me he isn’t a fan of the man, either. “August St. Jean.”
Ah, yes. August St. Jean. Coined New York’s most eligible bachelor. He’s a favorite in the papers right now, known for his philanthropy, deep pockets, and goodlooks. I’m surprised I didn’t recognize him, though I haven’t seen him since before I left the country, and even then, it was in passing.
From what I hear, most women would be overjoyed to be in the arms of August, so I am unclear as to whyshelooks so unhappy.
“Any idea why she looks like she’d rather chew her own arm off than be in his?” I try to mask the curiosity in my voice, but I can feel it come through.
Sully pays it no mind and instead stares down at his phone as he sends a text. He’s biting his lip, so presumably, he’s sent it to the hotel heiress from earlier.
Vinnie steals my attention yet again, and this time as August turns their bodies, I notice the way he looks over her shoulder at her brother. His expression turns sinister for a fleeting moment before the mask of magnetism blankets his face again. Though Joseph is not so quick to hide his intentions, the smirk playing across his lips lingers for all to see.
He’s enjoying his sister's discomfort. Whatever look just passed between him and August was one of intention.
And for some reason, that ignites a rage in me so powerful it catches me off guard.
The melody of the song comes to an end, and as Vinnie tries to pull away, August curls his fingers at her waist so tightly I can see the fabric crumpling in his grasp. Her hands press against his arms to push him away, but he is unrelenting, leaning down to whisper something in her ear. She stills, and though I can onlysee the profile of her face from their angle, I don’t miss the way her body freezes, and her mouth drops slightly in what I imagine is shock. Then he releases her.
August is all smiles as he bows like a gentleman before walking away, leaving her noticeably upset.
I should feel satisfaction at the hurt of a Paladino, even if the pain is emotional, but the feeling that pangs in my chest is anything but merriment.
Another song begins, and the couples begin to waltz as though they’ve waited their entire lives for these dances. For many, they have. But as I watch Vinnie stand in the middle of the dance floor, her body begins to move, but not with the music. No, her body begins to visibly shake, trembling, whether with tears or with rage, I’m unsure.
Instinct pulls me from my chair, and as I stand, Vinnie snaps out of her daze and practically runs toward the eastern double doors of the ballroom.
Before I can fathom what is happening, I move through the crowd, following after her.
“Sly!” Sully calls from behind me, but I ignore him, politely moving through the groups of people conversing, drinking, and laughing.
I’m a little more than halfway to the doors when I see Joseph slip through them first, and suddenly the world turns red.
Speeding up, I push through a circle of young women who gasp at my sudden intrusion, slinking into the large foyer of the ballroom of the Centennial Hotel.
When the doors close behind me, cutting off themusic and the noise of the guests, I seem to pull myself from my own daze.
What am I doing out here? Why am I chasing after aPaladino?
And why does it feel like I would burn this whole hotel to the ground just to find her and make sure she’s okay?
I’m debating on which way to go when hushed voices suddenly come from somewhere on my right.
Moving as quietly as I can, I walk toward them, straining to hear what they’re saying. Off the foyer is a hallway, and as I turn the corner, I see there are two more alcoves that likely lead to more. From so far away, I have no way of knowing if it even is Vinnie and her brother or just another pair who needed a moment away from the masquerade.