HIS NAME, MY CURSE

Juliet POV: “Smile.” I looked at the woman holding the camera and forced a smile. “Perfect,” she said, but it wasn’t. Nothing about tonight felt perfect. The ballroom was glowing with crystal chandeliers, expensive dresses, champagne, and people pretending they had nothing to fear. I knew better. In my world, beautiful parties were often where dangerous deals happened. I adjusted the silver mask covering half my face and looked toward the entrance. My father’s security men were everywhere. Of course they were. My father trusted no one, especially when it came to me. I picked up a glass of champagne and took a small sip, trying to ignore the feeling of being watched. “Juliet.” I froze at the sound of my father’s voice. He walked toward me in his usual black suit, his expression serious enough to make people step out of his way. “Where have you been?” he asked. “I’m standing right here,” I replied. His eyes narrowed. “Don’t be difficult. You’re leaving in twenty minutes.” I stared at him. “I’m not a child.” His jaw tightened. “I never said you were.” “Then stop treating me like one.” He looked at me for a moment before saying, “Juliet, not tonight.” It was always the same. Not tonight. Not here. Not now. There was always another rule and another warning. I looked around the room, wishing I could be as free as everyone else. “Can I at least enjoy the party?” I asked. “You can enjoy it from where I can see you.” I gave a bitter laugh. Then his expression became even harder. “And stay away from the Romano.” My smile vanished. Everyone knew that name. For twenty-five years, the Santinos and Romano had been enemies. I had grown up hearing stories about murder, betrayal, revenge, and blood. My father had taught me one rule above all others: Never trust a Romano. “I know,” I said quietly. My father nodded and walked away. I watched him disappear into the crowd before something inside me finally snapped. I was tired of being watched, protected, and treated like I was too fragile to make my own choices. I left my champagne on the table and headed for the balcony. No one stopped me for once, I just wanted a few minutes alone. The cool night air touched my face as soon as I stepped outside. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. Finally, silence. Then a man's voice broke through it. “Running away?” I opened my eyes and turned. A tall man stood near the balcony doors. He wore a black suit and a black mask. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and there was something about his eyes that made my heart beat faster. “Do you always sneak up on women?” I asked. His lips curved into a smile. “Only the interesting ones.” “I’m not interested.” “You haven’t even asked my name.” “Exactly.” He laughed softly. I should have walked away, but I didn’t. He moved closer, and I caught the expensive scent of his cologne. “You’re hiding,” he said. “I’m getting some air.” “From your family?” I frowned. “How do you know I’m with my family?” “Because you’ve looked through that glass door almost every thirty seconds.” I glanced behind me and realized he was right. “You watch people too much.” “I watch everything.” “That sounds exhausting.” “It is.” Somehow, I smiled. “What’s your name?” he asked. “Juliet.” He repeated it slowly, and something about the way he said my name made my stomach flutter. “And you?” I asked. “Michael.” I stared at him. “Just Michael?” He shrugged. “Just Michael.” I shook my head. “You’re strange.” “So I’ve been told.” He stepped beside me and looked out at the city. “You don’t look like you belong here.” I looked at him. “Maybe I don’t.” “Then why are you here?” I asked. He smiled. “Maybe I wanted to meet you.” My heart skipped, and I quickly looked away. “That’s a terrible line.” “I wasn’t trying to impress you.” “You’re failing.” “Am I?” I looked back at him. He was closer now. Too close. “You’re very confident.” “And you’re very nervous.” “I’m not nervous.” “You just touched your necklace three times.” My hand stopped. I hated how easily he noticed things. “You’re annoying.” His smile grew. “And you’re still here.” Before I could answer, I heard laughter from inside. I looked toward the doors and saw my father’s security men moving through the ballroom. My heart tightened. “They’re looking for me.” “Then you should go.” I nodded, but before I could move, one of the guards stepped onto the balcony. “Miss Santino?” My stomach dropped. Michael quickly caught my wrist and pulled me into the shadows beside the curtains. I wanted to protest, but he placed a finger against his lips. “Quiet.” The guard searched the balcony, then his phone rang. After answering it, he walked back inside. When the door closed, I finally breathed again. Michael looked at me. “You’re welcome.” I pulled my wrist from his hand. “I didn’t ask you to help.” “No,” he said with a smile. “But you needed it.” I should have been angry, but instead, I laughed. “You really like yourself, don’t you?” “Not as much as I like you.” My smile faded. He stepped closer. “Tell me to leave.” I stared at him. I knew I should, but instead I whispered, “Maybe I don’t want you to.” “Juliet.” His eyes dropped to my lips. “Yes?” He leaned closer, slowly, giving me every chance to stop him. I didn’t. His lips touched mine, soft at first, before the kiss deepened. For a moment, I forgot the party, my father, and all his rules. There was only Michael. His hand rested gently at my waist while I held onto his jacket. When we finally pulled apart, we were both breathing harder. “This is a bad idea,” I whispered. “The worst.” I looked into his eyes. “Then why do I want to do it again?” His smile returned. “Because I’m thinking the same thing.” He kissed me again, and this time, I didn’t hesitate. When we finally separated, he rested his forehead against mine. “Give me your number.” I hesitated. “Why?” “So I can see you again.” “We shouldn’t.” “I know.” “Then why?” His eyes held mine. “Because I don’t think either of us is going to listen.” Despite myself, I smiled and gave him my number. He saved it on his phone and looked at me one last time. “I’ll call you.” Then he disappeared into the ballroom. I watched him go, still unaware of who he truly was. I didn’t know what family he belonged to, or that tonight would change my life forever. All I knew was that I had just kissed a stranger who somehow felt dangerously familiar. Somewhere inside the crowded ballroom, Michael Romano had just learned the name of the woman he had been raised to hate. Neither of us knew the truth yet. Not until his phone rang. “Yes?” he answered. A man's voice came through. “Boss, we found the Santino girl.” Michael stopped. His eyes moved toward me. “What did you say?” The voice answered, “That’s Juliet Santino.” The warmth disappeared from his face. His hand tightened around the phone as he stared at me smiling from across the room. Because the woman he had just kissed was Juliet Santino, the daughter of his family’s greatest enemy.