THE MAFIA’S CAPTIVE ANGEL

“I see…” Before Lauren could finish her sentence, I walked away from her, deciding to approach the buffet table instead of having any conversation with her.

I picked up a glass of orange juice as soon as I reached the buffet table and sipped it. My mouth watered at the sight of the variety of foods on the table. I was about to pick up a plate off the table when a familiar female voice sounded from behind me.

“I find it quite rude to leave in the middle of a conversation.” I rolled my eyes, letting out a sigh.

“We had nothing of importance to say.” I said, not paying any attention to her. “I know for a fact that you don’t like me.”

“Then I guess I don’t have to pretend.”

“Like you were!”

“How did you manage to get his attention?”

Well, I met him at the club and got kidnapped by him a month later. I wanted to answer that way.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“Of course, I don’t expect you to reveal your technique, since that’s what you need to keep your place. Just tell me one thing. How many men have you practiced seducing, just to keep Sin?” I scoffed and wanted to laugh, but instead gave a small smile, knowing she was dying of jealousy.

“I haven’t started seducing, Sin. I don’t think I need to, because he’s so into me. I believe the heirloom on my neck is a good enough reason to show my importance in his life.”

“You might think you matter to him, but once he gets tired of you, he is going to dispose of you without blinking an eye. So keep warming his bed, like a little whore”

“That’s where you are wrong.” I smirked, taking a sip of my juice. “I haven’t even slept with him, and yet he seems enticed by me. What would happen if I did?”

” What….”

“And it’s funny you think I’m a whore, when you, a married woman at that, is pinning over a man that isn’t your husband. That clearly speaks highly of you.”

Lauren gritted her teeth and raised her hand, but before I could receive the impart of her hand on my cheek, Sin’s voice boomed behind us.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you, not unless you plan on leaving here with no hands at all.” He threatens, coming to stand beside me. Immediately she recoiled her hand, gulping in fear.

“I apologize for my wife’s behaviour, Mr. Violenta.” Her husband said, with a look of shame as he dragged her away from the buffet table.

“Aren’t you a magnet for trouble?” Sin muses with a raised eyebrow, and I pout.

“It’s not like I go looking for trouble; it just finds me.”

“True.”  He laughed.  He gazed at the people who were starting to form in the middle of the ballroom for a dance. I watched as they moved to the slow pace of the dance, each with a partner. “Care to dance?”

“I’m not a great dancer.”

“Why do I find that hard to believe?” He smirks.  “From what I remember, you were quite a vixen the night we met.” He says, taking a hold of my hand.

“Nikolai…” I called out hesitantly.

“Come on, just one dance. What could possibly go wrong?.” I looked back at the dance floor, then back at his masked face, before letting out a deep breath.

“Fine. One dance.”

Those on the dance floor split up with their partners and moved to the sides as we moved toward the centre of the ballroom.

He was leading me and easing me into the unfamiliar pace that would soon follow my present reluctance; at first, it was slow, hesitant steps. Sin drew me in, and the music grew more ominous nearly simultaneously. As we danced, my chest touched his, and our faces shared the same air.

Sin’s eyes never left mine, burning deep into my soul. He takes a step closer, making our noses touch. He asked.  “You look nervous. Take a deep breath.”

I did as he said, and while meeting his stare, the melody of the music got softer again. We were now moving over the marble floor in gentle, beautiful steps.

“I can’t help it, not with people staring at us.”

“Well…  You’re not wrong about them staring, amore. They just can’t get enough of how beautiful and enticing you look tonight.” He spanned me around so that my back was against his chest, and he spun me around, twirling my dress, finishing the move by dipping me, and when he did, the candlelight reflected off of his gold mask. making him appear enchanting.

My chest once more touched Sin’s as he raised me. He repositioned my body, resting his hand on my hip and holding my hand up toward the imposing ceiling. Our dance ultimately came to an end, and the tempo started to calm down. The music slowed down, and the temperature dropped altogether as we danced more slowly.

Clapping and a few whistles broke the stillness of the room, making me blush. A wave of giddiness swept through me.

My mind and thoughts were so occupied by the man beside me that I failed to recognize the mask figure in the midst of the crowd, gazing at me with a face full of curiosity and confusion.