Chapter 29- Protection
Lucia The first sign was wrong.
Taylor’s usual tram had six men stationed around the Metropolitan Museum’s grand ballroom. Tonight there were eight. The pattern of their movements had shified–subtle enough that most wouldn’t notice, but to eyes trained by three overprotective brothers, it screamed warning.
I watched Dante work the crowd, noting how his security subtly tightened formation around him. He was magnificent in motion–all lethal grace and calculated charm as he secured campaign donations from the cay’s elite. But something in the air felt electric, dangerous.
My phone buzzed for the third time in an hour. Mark again.
“They’re coming from multiple angles Get out NOW
1 deleted the message, but my hands weren’t quite steady. Mark’s warnings had grown increasingly frantic since our gallery confrontation. Part of me wondered if he was being used – a corwenient distraction at a mucial moment. But my instincts, honed by years of navigating family politics. whispered that something bigger was in play.
The champagne servers moved wroONE
It was barely noticeable – a slight hesitation in their steps, hands that gripped trays with military precision rather than practiced service grace. I counted four of them, moving in a pattern that was too perfient to be natural
My heart raced as 1 scamed the room again. The regular exits were sably blocked by men inexpensive sui
who didn’t quite fit
fit with the society crowd. The kischen doors swung at odd intervals, suggesting movement behind them that didn’t match the rhythm of food service
We were being based in
Fraught Taylor’s eye across the room, a slight nod confirming my suspicions. His hand moved to his earpiece, lips forming words I couldn’t hear over the string quartet and society charter.
Then the lights went out.
Screampied as darkness flooded the ballmon. Emergency lights kicked in seconds later, casting everything in an eerie red glow that transformed elegant evening wear into something more Linister.
I was moving before conscious thought years of training taking over. Three steps to the nearest table. Two seconds to kick off my Louboutin. One breath to center myself as chaos erupted.
The first shot came from the lachen doors.
Glass shattered as Dante’s security engaged, returning fire with precision that spoke of exterive training Guests scattered like startled birds, their practiced sophistication dissolving into primal panic.
Through the chaos, I tracked Dante. He’d moved with impressive speed, taking cover behind a marble column. But I saw what he didn’t- approaching from his band spot, weapon already drawn.
“Down!” I screamed, Launching myself forward.
-the server
My shoulder caught the gunman’s wrist just as he fired. The bullet struck marble inches from Dante’s head as we crashed to the floor. I drove my elbow into the attacker’s throat, following through with a knee strike that would have made Antonio proud.
to secure the room. But we
Gunfire erupted from multiple directions now. I heard Taylor shouting orders, has me moving with military |
y precision to were exposed, caught in open space between the column and the nearest ext
“Movel” Dane grabbed my arm, pulling me behind the temporary cover of an overturned table. His body curved protectively over mine is bullets splattered wood inches from our heads.
us toward in ”
“The northwest ext.” I gaped, recognizing the pattern of attack. “They’re herding us tow
(fiveyes met mine in the red emergency lighting, starp with understanding. Trap!”
*Has to be.” I flinched as another shot struck too close. “They’re too coordinated for this to be random”
“Secondary team, move on northwest corridor,” he spoke into a concealed mic, voice steady despite the chaps. “Full sweep, assume hostile
presence
More shots. More screams. The sound of breaking glass suggested someone had found an alternate exit route
“We need to move.” I calculated angles, tening, risks “That column gives us three second of cover, then-”
“No.” His hand tightened on my arm. “Too exposed.”
“Better than waiting to be cornered.” I met his dark gaze steadily. “Trust me,”
Something flickered in his eyes – surprise, respect, something deeper I couldn’t analyze in the middle of a firefight. He nodded once, sharp and decisive
We moved as one, my steps matching his with a synchronization that felt natural despite the circumstances. Three seconds to the column. Two breaths as bullets struck marble. One moment of perfect clarity as I saw the pattem resolve
“Down!” shoved him hard as a thot came from above a position we hadn’t accounted for. Pain exploded across my upper arm as the bullet grazed flesh instead of finding is intended target.
Chapter 29- Protection
Dante’s reaction was instaraneous and lethal. His gan appeared from nowhere, three precise shots dropping the overhead shooter before I could even process the movement
“Luria-” His voice carried an edge I’d never heard before as he saw the blood staining my dress
Just a grace.” I pushed him toward our next point of cover as more shots rang out. “Movel
We made it to the service corridor just as Taylor’s voice crackled through Dante’s carpiece, “Primary threat neutralized. Secondary team has three coplaves. Aren being secured now
The words barely registered. Adrenaline was fading, leaving me shaky as Dante pulled me into an alcove, his body still curved protectively around mine. His hands moved over me with frantic precision, checking for injuries beyond the arm grate.
“I’m fine,” I insisted, but my voice trembled slightly. “We need to-”
“You’re hurt.” His voice was rough, dangerous. “Because you were protecting me. Again”
“Better than the alternative. The words slipped out before I could stop them.
His eyes het mine in the dim corridor lighting, dark with something that made my breath catch. One hand came up to cup my face, thumb tracing my cheekbone with surprising gentleness,
“Lucia “He started, but gunfire erupted again from somewhere in the building,
Reality crashed back like a cold wave. This wasn’t over. The immediate threat might be contained, but we were still in danger. Still exposed.
“Later,” I said, pulling away from his couch before I could do something stupid like admit how terrified I’d been of losing him. “We need to move.”
His jaw clenched, but he nodded.
1241 D
