Chapter 13 - Blood and Silk
Three days later, the grand ballroom of the Metropolitan Hotel glittered under crystal chandeliers. The annual Charity Gala for the Costa Medical Foundation was underway, hosting over five hundred high-society guests, politicians, and wealthy donors. Despite the looming threat, Gabriel had insisted the event go forward. Canceling would show weakness, and Gabriel Costa never showed weakness.
Nora wore a striking floor-length gown of emerald silk that complemented her eyes, her high collar adorned with delicate gold lace. Beside her, Gabriel looked imposing in a dark tuxedo, his aura commanding respect from every person who approached them.
Underneath the glamour, however, the room was a fortress. Armed security personnel disguised as waiters, security guards, and guests were stationed at every exit. Leo moved silently through the crowd, an earpiece hidden beneath his dark hair.
"Uncle Richard is here," Nora murmured, sipping her sparkling water while scanning the raised balcony above the ballroom floor. "At the corner table near the VIP lounge. He's sweating."
Gabriel followed her gaze. Richard Sterling looked nervous, his pale fingers fidgeting with a glass of scotch as he repeatedly checked his gold wristwatch.
"He's waiting for a sign," Gabriel said smoothly, taking Nora's hand and leading her toward the main floor for the evening dance. "Julian promised him something tonight."
"We shouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing us worried," Nora said, offering Gabriel a breathtaking smile as he took her into his arms.
They moved gracefully across the polished marble floor to the sound of a full orchestra. For a few minutes, the dangers outside vanished. Gabriel held her close, his hand firm against her lower back, his gaze locked onto hers.
"You look dangerous tonight, Mrs. Costa," he whispered as he spun her effortlessly.
"I learned from the best," she teased back, her eyes bright.
Suddenly, the lights overhead flickered violently and died, plunging the massive ballroom into pitch blackness. Screams erupted from the crowd.
BANG.
A loud explosion shattered the heavy glass doors leading to the garden terrace. Red emergency lights flickered on, casting blood-colored shadows across the panicked crowd.
Gabriel’s instincts kicked in instantly. Before the first scream had fully faded, he pulled Nora behind a heavy marble pillar, shielding her body with his own. He drew a sleek, suppressed firearm from beneath his tuxedo jacket in a single fluid motion.
"Leo! Status!" Gabriel barked into his collar mic.
"Multiple armed hostiles entering through the garden!" Leo’s voice came through static. "They cut the main power grid!"
Masked men dressed in tactical gear surged into the ballroom, firing warning shots into the ornate ceiling. Plaster rained down like snow. Guests scrambled for cover, shouting in terror.
"Where is Richard?" Nora gasped, peering around the pillar.
Through the chaos, she saw her uncle attempting to slip out through a service door near the kitchen, guarded by two armed men in dark vests.
"He's leaving!" Nora said.
"Stay down, Nora," Gabriel commanded, his eyes ice cold.
"No! If he escapes now, we lose our only lead to Julian!" Nora insisted, grabbing Gabriel’s wrist. "You take the shooters on the left. I'll cut off his path through the catering corridor—I know the layout of this hotel!"
Gabriel looked at her for a split second, seeing no fear in her eyes—only fierce determination. He gave a single, sharp nod. "Two minutes. Do not engage alone."
Gabriel stepped out from behind the pillar, his weapon barking twice with lethal precision. Two attackers fell instantly, drawing the enemy's fire away from the center of the room.
Nora gathered the heavy train of her emerald silk dress, slipped off her high heels, and sprinted down the narrow service hallway behind the main bar.
She rounded the corner just as Uncle Richard reached the rear exit doors. His two guards were distracted, looking back toward the ballroom. Nora grabbed a heavy brass fire extinguisher from the wall mount and slammed it with all her strength against the back of the nearest guard's knees.
The guard yelled out, collapsing to the floor. The second guard turned, pulling his gun, but Nora kicked his wrist with precise force, knocking the firearm across the slick tile floor. Before the guard could recover, a loud shot echoed down the hall, and the man dropped—Leo stood at the end of the corridor, his gun raised and smoking.
Richard Sterling scrambled backward, hitting the wall, his face white as paper. "Nora! Please! It wasn't my idea! Julian forced me!"
Nora stepped forward, standing tall over her uncle, her dress slightly torn, her expression cold and unflinching.
"You sold me once, Uncle Richard," Nora said, her voice dripping with ice. "Did you really think you could do it again?"
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Gabriel walked up behind her, his weapon lowered, his presence suffocatingly absolute. He placed a heavy hand on Richard’s shoulder, pressing him against the wall.
"You have ten seconds to tell me where Julian Vane is hiding," Gabriel said in a deadly whisper. "Or your niece gets to decide your punishment."
