Chapter 31 MASQUERADE
JASMINE:
Ana stood behind me, adjusting the last clasp of my dress with her careful fingers.
The gown was deep midnight blue in colour, and it had silk falling smoothly down my body before flaring slightly at the hips. The fabric felt cool against my skin, but my cheeks were warm, warmer than they should have been.
“You’ve been smiling all morning,” Ana said quietly.
I met her eyes in the mirror.
She looked hesitant, like she knew she was stepping into something personal.
“I’m sorry,” she added quickly. “I shouldn’t pry. It’s just… you haven’t looked this happy since you came here.”
I tilted my head slightly. Instead of answering, I just nodded. That seemed to say enough.
Ana shook her head softly with a knowing look and returned to fixing my hair.
Just then, a knock sounded on the door. Before either of us could respond, it opened.
Nikolai stepped inside, and Ana immediately straightened. But Nikolai didn’t even acknowledge the room at first. His eyes were on me, and he stopped. Completely.
The silence stretched for several seconds before he finally spoke.
“Ana,” he said calmly, though his gaze hadn’t left mine, “excuse us for a few minutes.”
Ana tried very hard not to smile.
“Of course, Don.”
She slipped out quickly, closing the door behind her.
The moment we were alone, the room felt smaller. Nikolai moved toward me slowly. I watched him through the mirror as he approached, his expression quieter than usual, almost thoughtful.
When he stopped behind me, his reflection met mine.
“You look insanely beautiful,” he said softly.
I could feel my stomach fluttering. I turned around to face him, and suddenly the distance between us felt electric. His fingers brushed lightly against the fabric of my dress, tracing the curve of my waist.
Then his voice dropped lower.
“But,” he murmured, leaning closer, “I think you look even better without it.”
My breath caught.
“Nikolai—”
But he was already kissing me. It wasn’t rushed, but warm, slow, familiar now in a way that still surprised me. His hand slid around my waist, pulling me closer until the silk of the dress pressed between us.
For a moment I forgot everything, the house, the meeting, the world outside this room. But eventually reality forced its way back in.
I pulled away slightly, breathless.
“We’re going to be late.”
“I don’t care,” he said simply before kissing me again.
I laughed softly against his lips and placed a hand against his chest.
“Yes, you do.”
He paused. Then he exhaled, running a hand through his hair like he was physically dragging himself back into discipline.
“You’re right,” he muttered.
He adjusted his jacket and trousers before leaning down and pressing a brief kiss to my forehead.
“Five minutes,” he said. Then he stepped back toward the door.
The moment he opened it, Ana was standing right outside. I immediately covered my face, as Ana walked in with a perfectly innocent expression.
“Well,” she said lightly, “Now I understand why you’ve been smiling.”
“Shut up,” I muttered playfully.
She laughed softly and immediately began fixing everything Nikolai had just undone.
Ten minutes later, I walked downstairs. Nikolai was waiting near the entrance. The moment he saw me again, something proud flickered across his face.
He offered me his arm.
“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
Outside, the car was already waiting. We got in and enjoyed the quiet and comfortable ride to our destination.
When we arrived, the building was already glowing with light. Music drifted faintly from inside, and luxury cars lined the street.
Before we stepped out, Nikolai reached into the car console and handed me a mask. A black velvet one, trimmed with silver.
He placed his own on as well.
“Stay close,” he said.
I nodded.
Inside, the ballroom was a sea of masks, glittering gowns, and tailored suits. The masquerade made everything feel slightly unreal. Capos from different families moved through the room in quiet clusters. Conversations were polite on the surface but heavy underneath.
We had barely stepped into the crowd when a woman approached us. Her mask was ivory with gold trim. But I didn’t need to see her face to know who it was.
Francesca.
“Jasmine,” she said smoothly.
Her eyes moved over me.
“It’s good to see you back.”
Her smile widened slightly.
“Nikolai was tearing the entire city apart looking for you.”
I forced a polite smile.
“Well… thank God that’s over now.”
She hummed softly. Then she turned to Nikolai.
“May I speak with you privately?”
Nikolai glanced at me. Before he could answer, I spoke first.
“It’s fine.”
He studied my face for a second before leaning down and kissing me gently.
“Oh,” Francesca uttered, surprised. “That’s new,”
Then she and Nikolai disappeared into the crowd.
Two of Nikolai’s guards remained beside me. Their presence was obvious, that it was so suffocating.
“I need a moment,” I said.
“We’ll accompany you,” one of them replied immediately.
I shook my head.
“I’ll be right there.”
They hesitated. Then reluctantly stayed behind as I walked toward a quieter hallway.
I had barely turned the corner when someone stepped in front of me. My instinct kicked in immediately. My muscles were tense, ready to strike, then the man lifted his hand and removed his mask.
“Dante,” I whispered.
My heart jumped.
“Put it back on,” I hissed quickly. “Someone could see you.”
He pulled the mask down again. His eyes studied me carefully.
“I saw him kiss you.”
I froze.
“So?” I said carefully.
“So are you two… a thing now?”
I didn’t know how to answer that.
Dante sighed quietly.
“I’m here to watch over you.”
“You shouldn’t be here,” I said urgently. “Go back to Italy.”
“I’m not leaving you alone here.”
“You have to.”
He shook his head.
“You don’t understand what’s coming.”
My stomach tightened.
“So do you. Nikolai is already hunting for the people who kidnapped me,” I whispered. “If he finds you—”
“I’m not afraid of him.”
I stepped closer.
“Please, Dante.”
For a moment he looked like he might argue again. Then footsteps echoed from the ballroom.
Nikolai.
My eyes widened. I gave Dante a small signal. He immediately straightened, then seconds later, Nikolai appeared around the corner.
His arm slid around my waist instantly, pulling me protectively against him, and his gaze locked onto Dante.
“Is there a problem?” he asked calmly.
Dante tilted his head slightly.
“No problem.”
His voice was smooth.
“I was just admiring.”
Nikolai’s eyes narrowed, and Dante gestured lightly toward me.
“Even with the mask, I can tell what a beautiful woman… and a beautiful soul you have beside you.”
His gaze met Nikolai’s.
“You’re a lucky man.”
Then he turned and walked away. I watched him disappear into the crowd.
There was something about what Dante said that lingered in my chest.
Nikolai then looked down at me.
“Who was that?”
I forced a small shrug.
“I have no idea.”
He studied my face for a moment longer. Then he guided me back into the centre of the party.
Music swelled again around us. People laughed, glasses clinked, but my heart refused to settle. Because somewhere in this room stood a man Nikolai was hunting.
And I could only hope the Don of New York wasn’t any closer to discovering the truth.