Page 56 of Own Me

"Julio, look!" I elbow my cousin's side and ignore his grunt of pain as I tiptoe and crane my neck in an effort to get a better look at the other girl. "Isn't that Ynez?"

The car speeds away before Julio can take a peek, and I bite back a groan.

Argh!

"I really think that girl—-"

Julio cuts me off with a glare. "Stop it,cuginetta.Remember what we came here for?"

"But I really think—-"

My cousin cuts me off with a groan."Smettila!"The words translate to 'stop it' in Italian, and I feel slightly guilty after hearing the genuine dismay in Julio's voice.

"Don't you remember your promise, Ysa? Or don't you care anymore about not making your Mama feel guilty for moving on?"

"Of course, I care—-"

"It's been four years since you last had fun," Julio stresses."Four years!"

I bite back a sigh. Maybe he's right, and I'm worrying too much over Ynez again. "You win."

Julio shakes his head. "Not enough."

I make a face, but my cousin still isn't satisfied.

"I want to hear you promise,cuginetta. No more acting like you're Ynez's babysitter.Capisce?"

"Bene, bene." Fine, fine.

"Still not good enough," Julio retorts. "Give me your word, Ysabel Fiore—-"

"Yes, okay, you have my word."

"Good girl."

I slap his hand off when he tries patting my head, but Julio only laughs since we both know getting a rise out of me has always been one of his favorite hobbies.

The guy in front of us suddenly turns to Julio, asking him something about the lineup for tonight's live concert. You can practically see sparks flying between them, and by the time it's Julio and the other guy's turn to have their IDs scanned for entry, I've had the distinctly awkward pleasure of witnessing their first makeout sesh.

Ugh.

"Don't forget, we meet at midnight,va bene?"My cousin blows me a kiss before walking away with his arm already curled around his newest squeeze.

Security scans my ID next, and it takes only a moment before I have an admission band strapped around my wrist, and I'm also cleared for entry. Admission to the Marchettis' annual frightfest may be free, but pre-registration is non-negotiable for both residents and invited guests alike.

"Oh my gosh, is that..."

"No way, I can't believe that's..."

"Is that really..."

It's not just the Halloween decor, the refreshments, or the scare actors and the top-notch attractions that the Marchettis go all-out on. No expense is also spared to have A-listers drop by every year, and for good reason, too.

Clueless residents may think this party is Boston's most prominent family's way of practicingnoblesse oblige,but in reality, it's just the Marchettis wanting to have intel on everyone living in their city.

La Stregaisn't the all-seeing, all-reaching, and all-powerful weapon of destruction that she is by chance. Nothing happens in the Hub that the Marchetti matriarch doesn't know about, and it's because of her - andnotour so-called 'awesome' local government that's the reason why no one these days ever gets mugged, raped, or murdered.

Just a matter of luck,I can't help thinking as I absently watch a zombie nurse offer complimentary drinks in blood bags. Some people are lucky to live in a city like this, wherefamigliawith a conscience are in charge. And then there are those who aren't so lucky, like my Papa who...

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