Chapter XIII

“You shouldn’t wear them like this.” Salvatore’s voice surprised me as I was too fixed on my own reflection. He slowly walked out of the shadow, approaching me in his – almost - head-to-toe black attire. As usual his hair were slicked back, perhaps even tidier then usually and surprisingly this time he had chosen white dressing shirt and black bow tie. What was most outstanding was the mask on his face. It was made to be top part of skull, reaching all way to his top lip. He even went as far as making his eyes black to mimic eye-sockets. He looked…breath taking.
His long fingers crept up my naked back, all way to the strand of pearls. He wrapped fingers around them and turned them so they would lay against my back. Shiver run down my spine as I felt cool balls touching my back gently. I felt more exposed then it was needed. Dress that I’ve chosen with Bianca even though so long left very little to imagination as it was hugging my frame and showing off my back and hands. Even more now with such a piece of jewelry that undoubtedly draw attention.
“Perfect.” Salvatore whispered to my before planting a soft kiss on my naked shoulder. “You look stunning my dear.”
“So do you.” I said quietly with a small blush. But I had to admit that for once I would fully agree with him. My hair were pinned up with addition of thin, golden hairband, few lock left out to frame my face that I put make up on. As usual it wasn’t much although this time I dared to wear red lipstick, something that never crossed my mind before.
“We should go. My mother will start calling if we won’t hurry.” He said with a small smirk before moving away. He walked towards the dark wood vanity, that we purchased not long ago, and took mask that laid there that he passed to me. It was made out of thin, gold wire with few sparkly jewels. It looked stunning, all the details and little shapes that were made it look like a piece of art.
“Allow me.” He smiled and before I even knew it, he had tied the ribbon on the back of my head.
“Thank you.” I said turning around to face him.
I found myself excited as we were heading towards Lombardy’s house – this time we took black SUV that Marco was driving while we sat in the back. All I knew about their annual Masquerade was from stories but it sounded so appealing. Especially tonight’s one and I just couldn’t wait to see it.
“I have surprise for you.” Salvatore said, taking my hand in his, making my smile grow even bigger.
“What surprise?”
“I’m not telling you.” He smirked. “Although you should know that tonight…I want to tell you everything. And therefore if you decide that you still want me – then there will be a surprise.”
“That’s almost blackmailing.” I laughed gently but my heart warmed. I didn’t think there was such a think that would make me don’t want him. By now I knew exactly what my feeling were. Even though I didn’t understand the motives fully and didn’t get when and how, I knew one think – I loved him. “But I’m happy that you want to share your story with me. I’ve been waiting for this.” I planted a soft kiss on his cheek.
“Sometimes I really can’t understand how it is that you are with me, my love.” He said somehow amazed, bringing my hand to his lips so he could kiss top of it and run his lips over the surface of two rings that were decorating my fingers.
“Oh, really? Because if I remember correctly, you were the one that asked my father for my hand.” I said teasingly what made Salvatore roll his eyes.
“Perhaps it played a part.” He smirked leaning in to place a soft kiss on my lips.
It wasn’t long before we pulled to the driveaway where many cars were already. Salvatore got out first and held his hand for me that I gladly took. Right away I could hear music coming from inside of the house. The door was opened and there was black carpet leading inside, entrance garlanded with red and gold. I was stunned as the house was nothing like I remembered. Heavy curtains were all around, creating this somehow dark, intimate atmosphere. I gave away my coat and after we placed a gift that was some kind of expensive whiskey and cufflinks that Salvatore got for his father, we moved to the main area that somehow was looking even better than previous one. Many people were already there, sitting at rounded tables or standing, talking and laughing. The door to the next room was also opened and I could see the band that played there and people already swinging on the dance floor.
“Bianca didn’t lie when she said your mother can go a bit over the edge.” I looked at Salvatore and all that answered me was this well-knowing smile, before my sister-in-law appeared. She has been wearing long silver dress with slit sleeves. She had white mask with silver crystals around the edge and white feather on top. Even if her face was fully cover I would recognise this short curls and energy in her walk.
“If this isn’t my favourite couple.” She said with her usual big smile before you hugged. “You look stunning, Christine.”
“So do you.” I said with a small blush.
“Have you seen father?” Salvatore cut in making me smirk gently.
“Yes, party pooper, he was next to bar, talking to mum. Now excuse me, I need to find my husband. We catch up later.” She touched my arm before moving pass us.
“A moment longer and I will think you don’t want to be here.” I raised my eyebrows although it was rather to laugh at him while we took our steps to the mentioned bar that was supplied generously. There were few people standing there but one couple seemed to be more extraordinary then others and I don’t know why but they struck me as my in-laws. Man was wearing a three piece suits that was black except gold vest and he wore this white, red and gold mask that covered his whole face and had red triangles with golden bells on it’s tips on the top edge. Woman on the other hand wore strapless, lilac dress and had the most astonish golden mask that had handle in the same colour, with big and small feathers, various flowers and jewels matching her dress. And my expectations were met as women moved away the mask, smiling widely as we approached them.
“If this isn’t my son then I know nothing.” Eleanor laughed moving closer to us and embracing me in a hug, then Salvatore.
“Hello, mother.” Salvatore nodded with almost forced smile before he moved to his father. “Happy birthday, father.” He went for a handshake although his father wasn’t this easy and hugged him what brought a little smirk to my lips.
“Happy birthday, Mr. Lombardy.” I said as it was my turn though he laid hands on my shoulders, shaking his head slightly what made me want to laugh since it made bells jiggle.
“Oh no, my dear, for you it’s Riccardo.”
“Happy birthday, Riccardo.” I smiled and hugged a man.
“Now, if you excuse us, I would like to dance with my wife.” Salvatore announced, wrapping arm around my middle.
As we made our way towards the dance floor, I felt many eyes on myself which didn’t make me necessarily too comfortable although I tried to ignore it. Music was smooth and I loved the rhythm mixed with woman’s soft voice. By the time we got there, even more people were dancing, only warm flames of lanterns lightening the room.
“It’s so beautiful here.” I said with a small smile, letting Salvatore take my hand in his and place the other one on my waist before we started slowly swinging to the music. I wasn’t exactly the best dancer but I knew he was.
“That’s true. I wouldn’t mind such a décor actually. I like all this red and fire.”
“Aren’t you funny.” I laughed shaking my head, moving even closer to his warm body. Salvatore placed his chin on top of my head.
“I love your mask. Did you get inspiration from somewhere or is it just my imagination?” I asked after a long moment of silence, making him chuckle.
“Perhaps. You will never know.”
“Oh, I think I actually do know.”
We danced for a long while more, in a comfortable silence this time. It felt so nice to be this close to him and it didn’t bother me anymore how his hand caressed my naked back – it only gave me goose bumps.
“How long do we need to stay here?” I asked with a shy smile, looking into his beautiful eyes.
“Not long. My parents are too busy to notice if we sneak away.” He moved his finger to touch my cheek gently. “First time in a long time I’m feeling anxious and all because of you Christine.”
“I want to know your past but if you are not sure about it, we can wait. I don’t mind at all.”
There was soft smile on his lips as his hand travelled to rest of the back of my neck, thumb caressing my skin.
“I think I said it many times but you are truly an angel.” He said making me smirk gently. This time it was me that dared to step closer and kiss Salvatore’s lips gently.
“And I think we had enough of this party and should go home.” I said looking into his eyes, hoping that he would see all the love and encouragement that was there. I wanted him to know that he has nothing to worry about.
“As my dame commands.” He said with a short nod.
Seeing the clock in the car I noted that we were there even shorter than I thought. All the preparation and money spent on dress went to dirt but I couldn’t care less. Idea of what would come once we were back home was more appealing and it was all I could think about. Not only Salvatore was going to tell me everything about himself but I somehow felt that tonight is THE night. And even though I was still a bit of scared and images of Astrid were coming back to my mind I wanted to do it – be with Salvatore in every way possible.
Ride home was awfully long and once we were in the parking lot I almost jumped out of the car, taking my husband’s hand.
“Aren’t you excited.” He smirked following me to the elevator.
“Maybe just a bit.” I shrugged, sending him a small smile. I almost felt bad for my attitude once I spotted that something in his eyes. He wasn’t laying when he said he was anxious. He was about to tell me something that kept hunting him all this years and I could only imagine what it must have been to have such an impact. I wrapped my hand around his middle and let my head fall to his shoulder. In silence we walked into the penthouse and we parted so we could change and so Salvatore could have a moment to gather his thoughts.
I took extra time in the bathroom blow-drying my hair and just sitting on the edge of the tub, letting him have even more space - I didn’t want to push him any further then I already did. Eventually, as it seemed that perhaps I was the one that changed mind, I walked into the bedroom when Salvatore already was. He sat in a chair, whiskey in his hand. His hair were undone and there was not a sign of black pain he wore under the mask. He was still wearing his suit pants and shirt. Suddenly I felt underdressed in my usual night attire.
Salvatore looked over his shoulder and gave me the saddest, tightest smile I ever saw. Fire that he had set in the chimney played on his face as I made my way to sit in the other chair, my heart heavy with all the emotions. He didn’t look at me anymore, his eyes were fixed on the view outside the window as he gulped down his whiskey – I was pretty sure it wasn’t the only glass he had.
“Salvatore, you really don’t have to do it.” I said quietly.
“But I want to. I…not many people know about it. I mean, not the whole thing at least” He took a deep breath before he started talking again. “I had scoliosis that was progressing since I was two and throughout the years is only got worse, to a point where it was hard to breath and it hurt as hell, so they performed surgery when I was twelve and I don’t remember much more after that surgery other than pain for good few months. It was successful but I got pretty bad infection and few other complications afterwards so they even put me in coma for a while. But that doesn’t matter really. You probably think now ‘how stupid I am making it a big deal’.
“But it was, honestly. I was born broken, looked like a fucking freak. You think my father was happy from such a first born son? They just told people I was ill, nothing special but it would be awhile before anyone could see me. And I don’t blame them. My father – Family’s Head – had a son that wasn’t strong enough to carry on the name. They never let me feel it, in fact my mother was always taking care of me, perhaps too much, but I wasn’t stupid. I knew what he did for living and eventually I understood that son like me was a shame. I guess that’s why they got Bianca. In hope that she would be a strong son that my father needed.
“And I think they would try for more children but my mother put all the energy she had looking after me, treating me as if I was made out of glass. I never got to meet many family members – just the closest relatives, I’ve seen few Made Man and soldiers around the house but they would always hide me, not wanting me in public eyes so I wouldn’t be judged, but eventually truth came out and they all talked even though my parents were oblivious to that. I’ve known Alessandro since I was nine, he came to dinner with his family, dinner I was also to. We played a bit, he said I was cool and we were inseparable ever since.
“After surgery I became different, I was really hard on myself pushing rehabilitation as hard as I could, just to show my parents how strong I can be. Eventually I got better but not much changed, I spend all the time at home and only Alessandro would come around. And Astrid, honestly, she moved in nearby when I was eleven and she and Bianca would always meet each other. But time passed, Bianca was send to catholic boarding school, Alessandro had obligations for family so I was left with Astrid. I was very angry teenager, turned my back on my mother and all I was doing was working out and learning how to shoot, so I could finally proof myself to all of them.
“But nothing helped with anger, until her. I didn’t become a Made Man until I was eighteen, Alessandro did so when he was sixteen, that fucker, and then I made it my agenda to proof everyone wrong. That I wasn’t just some underdog, that I was capable and worth of my name. Truth be told when I met you it was all the same. You seemed unhappy, I knew you didn’t want to be there, nor in the room, nor in the Family. And you were just a soldier’s daughter so I thought why not to show everyone that I can do whatever I want. To give you freedom, let you walk away from us just to give you mercy later and take you as my wife. Well, that’s the story.
“You once asked if I feel a monster. I do. Not only because what I was, not because of the scars on my back but because of who I am now. I’m a liar and murderer. I turned down my mother that gave everything she had in her to raise me but I felt too suffocated. I had an affair with my cousin that is my blood. And I made you marry me just to show I have power.”
I could hear blood rustling in my ears and my heart was beating like crazy. I didn’t even know there were tears until they rolled down my cheeks and one by one fall to the top of my hand. I couldn’t think and for a good moment I couldn’t think.
Salvatore didn’t look at me even once and after he drank another glass of whiskey he stood up and started undoing his shirt. I looked at him puzzled but then I understood what he was going to show me. Once white fabric hit the floor with a quiet clatter of the buttons, he turned around, his back to me.