Chapter 4 The Masquerade Ball

RUBY'S POV

It was barely noon the next day, and Dominic Rutherford was already invading my thoughts again. I sat on the edge of my hotel bed, staring at the TV that I'd muted hours ago, fiddling with a loose thread on my robe and trying to push that accursed masked man out of my head.

Why was I still thinking about him? It wasn't like me to get caught up over a man, especially one I hadn't even spoken to. ESPECIALLY one who looked so dangerous. Yet his bright blue eyes, the commanding way he carried himself, and that stupid gold mask were all I could see.

Before I could spiral further, my phone buzzed on the nightstand. I lunged for it, hoping for a distraction. Thank the Lord!

"Ariana!" I called out, forcing a cheerful tone.

"Well, well, someone's up early after ditching us last night." Her voice was teasing, but I could hear the curiosity behind it.

"I didn't ditch you," I argued, leaning back against the headboard. "The club was boring. You know how I hate crowds."

"Uh-huh." She didn't buy it. "You practically ran out of there, Ruby. What gives?"

"Nothing," I said quickly. Too quickly.

There was a pause before she sighed. "Fine, I'll let it go.... for now. Anyway, I didn't call to interrogate you. I have news! There's a masquerade ball tonight. Only the elite of the elite get in, and you're coming with me."

"A masquerade ball?" I repeated, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes! It's going to be glamorous, exclusive, and just the kind of distraction you need. Come on, Ruby. You're from one of the most prestigious families in Chicago. You'll fit right in. See it as dues paid for running away from the club yesterday."

I hesitated, glancing at the pile of unread books on the nightstand. A quiet night sounded more appealing, but Ariana wasn't the type to take no for an answer.

"Fine," I relented, rolling my eyes. "What time?"

"I'll text you the address. Wear something fabulous." Her voice rang out excitedly.

After hanging up, I opened my closet and sifted through the racks of designer dresses I'd brought with me. My fingers landed on a sleek black gown with a plunging neckline and sheer sleeves. It was dramatic enough for a masquerade ball and sexy enough to turn heads. Perfect.

*********

The venue was a sprawling estate on the outskirts of the city of Chicago, somewhere close to Princeton. I arrived in my sleek black car, stepping out onto the red carpet with practiced ease. The mask I was wearing-a delicate creation of black lace-felt like both a shield and a statement.

Ariana greeted me just inside the entrance, waving enthusiastically. Her curly black hair was styled into an elegant updo, her blue eyes shining behind a silver mask.

"Ruby! You look stunning," she said, pulling me into a quick hug.

"So do you," I replied, gesturing to her shimmering gold gown.

"Go find a seat. I'll get us drinks," Ariana said with a wink before disappearing into the crowd.

The ballroom was breathtaking, with crystal chandeliers throwing a warm glow over the sea of masked attendees. I headed to the bar, smiling and waving as people passed me by.

As I sat, my gaze wandered, scanning the room without meaning to. Was I looking for him? The thought annoyed me, but I couldn't help it. I didn't see Dominic, but the memory of him was still in the back of my mind, persistent and unwelcome.

I sighed and sipped the champagne the bartender handed me. The party was elegant, but I was already growing bored. My mind drifted to the next excuse I could give Ariana to leave when a sharp voice pulled me back to reality.

"Well, isn't this a surprise."

I turned to find Julia standing there, her lips curled into a smug smile. She wore a glittering red dress, her blonde hair swept over one shoulder.

Attending parties so fast after I caught her in the same bed with my husband? I couldn't believe this woman had once been one of my closest friends.

"What do you want, Julia?" I asked in an icy tone.

"Oh, just to chat," she said, sliding onto the stool beside me. "I mean, it's not every day I see my man's ex-wife out in public, pretending like she's fine."

Her words stung, but I didn't let it show. I leaned back in my seat, a slow smile spreading across my face. "Ex-wife? That's rich coming from the woman who had to sneak around in the shadows. You're not Gabriel's woman, Julia, any more than I am."

Julia's face darkened, but she recovered quickly. "At least Gabriel didn't get bored with me."

"Oh, honey," I said, laughing. "Gabriel wasn't bored, he was desperate. You were just the easiest option."

A few people nearby glanced our way, as if they were sensing the tension. Julia's lips thinned, and for a moment, I thought I'd won. But then she leaned closer to me and spoke.

"At least I know where I stand, Ruby. Can you say the same about your family? Or did Daddy finally cut you off before his death so you won't have to inherit the key to his safe?"

I froze and gripped my champagne flute to hold myself back. "What the fuck are you on about, Julia?"

Julia smirked. "Oh, you heard me."

I stood abruptly, my chair scraping against the floor. Without another word, I walked away, needing to put as much distance between us as possible.

The bathroom was empty when I entered, and I leaned over the sink, taking deep breaths to steady myself. I turned on the faucet and splashed cold water on my face, trying to shake the fury and confusion swirling inside me.

But before I could collect myself, I heard the door creak open.

I glanced up just as Julia appeared in the mirror. But instead of the smugness or even anger that I was expecting to see in her eyes, there was only one thing.

Greed.

What was she after with me?

"You've always been so self-righteous," she spat, slowly walking toward me. "Always acting like you're better than everyone else."

"Julia, I don't have time for your-"

She lunged before I could finish, grabbing the back of my head and shoving me toward the sink. My face hit the cold porcelain, and I heard her feel around for the sink plug.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" I shrieked.

Julia attached the plug and turned the faucet to fill the basin with water. Water splashed everywhere as she tried to dunk my head into the basin.

"Where is it?" she hissed. "Your father's safe key-where is it?"

I gasped for air, thrashing against her grip. "I.... don't know.... wha.... what you're talking about!"

"Don't lie to me!" she snarled, pressing harder.

"Crazy bitch!" I screamed. "Fucking.... let me go!"

The cold water stung my eyes and rushed into my nose and mouth as Julia forced my head down into the sink full of water. I thrashed and clawed at her arms, but she was stronger than she looked, and her grip was strong.

"Where's the key, Ruby?" she snarled above the roar of the running faucet. "Tell me now, or I swear to God, I won't hesitate to kill you!"

I tried to scream, but water flooded my throat, choking me. I gagged and sputtered, my lungs burning for air. My hands scrabbled at the edges of the sink, desperate for leverage, but it was no use.

"Just tell me!" Julia shouted, her voice shrill and furious. "Tell me where it is, and I'll stop!"

Her words barely registered. My world was narrowing to the sensation of suffocating, the icy grip of the water, and the terror of losing control.

I kicked out blindly, but my legs felt heavy. My arms began to weaken as my strength drained away. Darkness crawled in at the edges of my vision.

I thought of my late father, my friends, the life I still wanted to live. Is this how it ends?

Just as the last sliver of hope faded, the bathroom door slammed open with a thunderous crash.

Julia's grip loosened, and the weight pressing me down vanished. I collapsed onto the floor, coughing and gasping for breath. My vision swam as I wiped water from my face and tried to focus on the person who had just saved my life.

Dominic Rutherford stood in the doorway, his blue eyes burning with fury under the edge of his mask.

But his eyes weren't on me. They were on Julia.

"WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?!" He roared at her.