Page 108 of Red Masquerade

I was at a loss for words. A small part of me, the tiny part that still felt like that young girl, shivered at what he’d said, caught up in this notion that I was protected, that nothing could reach me again. The princess found her prince charming, her knight in shining armor.

But a larger part of me, the part that still felt like I was under Lucas’ claws, however indirectly, was beginning to feel frantic, like I had torun.

“Do you not remember…?” My voice cracked.

I saw the mirth leave Vince’s eyes.

He directed his false smile at Veronica. “Maybe a moment would be a good idea.”

With a roll of her eyes, she led Flora out into the hall, a delicate hand to my friend’s back. Flora glanced at me. I felt it, but I couldn’t turn away from Vince, couldn’t do anything but stand there with my hands in fists at my sides. When the doorsnicked shut behind them, Vince’s smile faded. He studied me, adjusting his sleeves, turned partially away from me.

It was the first moment I felt I didn’t know what he was thinking.

“Do you have no confidence in me?” he said, utterly unreadable.

My mouth dropped open, a spear to my chest. “Excuse me?”

He lifted a shoulder, making a slow circle around the couches, toward a cart with a decanter and glasses. “It’s just that—and correct me if I’m wrong—youwanted to run away. Yes?”

I nodded, biting my lip.

“Andyoucame to me.” He looked up at me. “Yes?”

I nodded again, suddenly feeling like I was in an interrogation. Like I was being questioned for my actions, like maybe I’d done the wrong thing. My teeth bit into the flesh of my lip harder, drawing pain and the taste of iron.

He was in front of me in a second, grabbing my fists in each hand, soothing my fingers open, thumbs brushing against the half-moon indentations from my nails. “And yet you’re still so scared.” He cocked his head to the side, a lock of his auburn hair falling over.

I was so scared.

He searched my face. “You don’t have to be frightened anymore, Helena.” His palm came to rest on my cheek, and I’m not sure if it was a supernatural compulsion or just the familiar comfort of his touch, but the weight of everything finally surfaced, and I felt tears build in my lashes.

I growled in frustration, wiping my eyes.

“Ah,” he said, his thumb swiping my cheekbone.

“I’m tired of this,” I said, unable to speak above a whisper. “I’m tired of feeling like there’s a demon looming over my shoulder.”

“Not a demon anymore,” he said, one corner of his mouth quirking up in a smile. “Just a vampire.” And he leaned forward to press his lips to my forehead.

My fists bunched in his shirt, and he didn’t seem to care that I was wrinkling the expensive fabric.

“You can let go here,” he whispered to me. “You don’t have to worry about him or anyone else from the outside. Just worry aboutme. Worry aboutus. I will take care of the rest.”

I looked up at him through my blurry vision, wondering just how he would take care of it if someone reported they’d seen me. If Flora accidentally let it slip somewhere. If the cops showed up with guns blazing—Could a vampire even survive a gunshot?

I shut my eyes against the light of the room.

“Remember what I said, my darling.” I felt his lips on me once more. “I’d burn the world for you.”

I pulled away. “What if I want to burn it?” Burn my family’s legacy, burn Lucas. Burn Wright Highsmith and his stupid estate down.

He grinned, a dark glint to his eye, his teeth gleaming in the lamplight. “Then I’ll give you the match and watch.”

Thirty-Seven

Within the hour, Flora and I had made our way down to the docks at the Sound.

The salty breeze opened up my lungs, the warmth of the sun like a hug at my shoulders. I closed my eyes and leaned back on the plush blanket we’d brought with us. The hard planks of the dock poked my spine as I lay down.