I finally have the leverage I need against him. I can get him to talk to me now—nothing more to discuss my ass, Dante Wolfe. I haven’t let go of this relationship, not yet. He doesn’t get to stalk me and then ghost me. Nuh-uh. No way am I giving him up. He’s ignored my messages so far, but I know he’s still watching me, especially after I took the cameras down. I can feel him—he can’t help himself, and old habits die hard. If I threaten to expose him for the stalker, killer, psychopath that he is, he will have to talk to me. He can’t leave me without a proper explanation, and I’ve decided his reasoning isn’t good enough. He didn’t mean one word of what he said; he looked tortured, saying all those things, but he knew it would hurt me enough to get me to leave.
I’ve done nothing but analyze thatmoment since it happened. My mind repeats the scene over and over again, with one clear message: Dante loves me. He’s just scared, but he has nothing to fear. He’s given me the tools to be my true self, and she’sdyingto meet him.
You are mine, Dante Wolfe.
Two days before Maskqurade
“Okay, here goes nothing.” I had to buy a new suit for my Vera cosplay, but I think the new outfit isperfect. I adjust the filters on my video to go for a darker vibe, then press record.
The angle starts, showing off my combat boots, the tip of my knife coming into frame, dragging up my fishnets, to reveal a tight black leather mini skirt, the bottom of my ass cheeks hanging out on purpose. I drop down into the frame, bouncing on my knees in the sitting position, the collar of my white button-down open, showing my cleavage, and my black lace bra off. I’m wearing his balaclava and the half mask he wore for me in the woods.
I stare into the camera, holding a dead look in my eyes. “I know who you are, Wolfy. Does everyone else? Do they know what you do? Who you hang around? I’m sure everyone would love to know exactly who you are.” I move closer to the camera. “You know where I’ll be. If you’re not scared, show up.” The last line is from book one, where Vera sends Liam a note to the police station, daring him to meet up with her after he figures out it’s she who’s doing all the killings. In doing so, he could have exposed her; she put a lot of trust in that note, but Liam never revealed who she was, and he came anyway.
And so will Dante.
I’m also not above using the negative attention of the drama pages to my advantage. This will go viral quickly, and everyone will be talking. I hit post on the video, quickly packing my stuff for the ball, and head to Olivia’s. I already took a lot of my stuff over earlier in the day, but I left the skull mask sitting on my bed. I know he’ll come here looking for me, to try and stop me from doing what I have planned, but I won’t be here, and he won’t risk coming to Olivia’s, leaving him no choice but to come to the ball.
My phone dings with a message from VidTok.
Hook. Line. Sinker.
I ignore his message, and another one dings as I pull out of my apartment's garage. I keep driving, ding after ding coming from my bag, but I keep ignoring it as I pull up to Olivia’s townhome. She waves from her small porch, and I smile, waving back.
I pick up my bag, pull out my phone, and open VidTok and Wolfy’s messages:
My heart cracks when I read the messages, but I can’t give in; he needs to meet me.
I shove my phone back in my bag and unload my car. “Hey, you okay?” Olivia asks as I wheel my bags up to her porch.
“Yeah. Just nervous about the ball. It’s been one hell of a month.”
“Everything will be perfect. I promise.” Olivia gives me a warm smile, and I relax a bit.
“You’re right. It will. It has too.”
Luna
Olivia dabs my lip with black lipstick, finishing off my makeup. “There. Perfect. It even has silver glitter that reflects, so it matches your outfit perfectly,” Olivia says, capping the lipstick. “Your fallen angel costume is todiefor,ohmigod, you look so hot. You’ll have all eyes on you tonight.”
There’s only one pair of eyes that I care about.
I smooth my hands over the black corset and down over the tattered white skirt; the edges are stained black and brown, giving the illusion of being burned. I pair it with a lace Venetian mask and massive black wings with white feathers at the tip.
My tits are pushed up to my chin, and it’s hard to breathe, but I don’t care. I look absolutely irresistible, and it will work in my favor. And the pair of ‘fuck me’ heels adds such a nice touch.
“You ready to go?” Olivia asks, adding the final touches to her own makeup.
“Yeah. I think I am. Tonight will be perfect.” It has to be. I slip my wings off and put them to the side, trading them for a trench coat to cover myself. I know he’ll be watching the street cameras, but he doesn’t get to see before the ball. If he wants to see for himself, then he needs to show up. I slip a black trash bag around my wings to conceal them and grab my purse. “Okay, now I’m ready.” I laugh, and Olivia rolls her eyes.
“What do you have planned? I know you told me Wolfy is coming, but what’s with the video you posted? Should you be inviting him? He ghosted you, remember?”
“You’ll see. All will be revealed soon.” I smile. “I promise I know what I’m doing.”
“I trust you. I just worry about you. You’ve had thislookinyour eyes since last week, and it kinda scares me.” Olivia admits, giving me a concerned look.
I hate not telling her the truth, but I will soon. Once everything with Dante is settled, I’ll sit her down and tell her everything. “I promise I’m okay, Liv.” Olivia nods, and I walk up to her, hugging her tight. “Let’s have fun tonight. You’re an absolute badass for pulling this off, and I want you to enjoy your night. This evening is as much about you as it is about the other authors and me. You’re such an amazing party planner, and I hope this is the first of your many events you put on.”
Olivia hums, squeezing tighter. “Only if my best friend is by my side.”
