Chapter 7 - Protecting What's Ours
The ballroom of the Grand Horizon Hotel was a dazzling display of opulence and hidden danger. Crystal chandeliers lit up silk gowns and tailored tuxedos, while heavily armed guards lurked discreetly behind velvet curtains.
I wore an emerald green silk dress that Julian had hand-selected for me, paired with a diamond necklace that sparkled under the lights. My arm was slipped comfortably through Julian's as we glided through the crowd. Ellie was safe back at a secondary secure safehouse, guarded by Marcus and twenty of Julian’s best men.
"Smile, darling," Julian whispered near my ear, his breath warm against my skin. "Vincent is watching us from the balcony."
I looked up subtly. Standing on the second-story mezzanine was Vincent Moretti—a cruel, older man with cold silver hair and a ruthless smile. He raised his champagne glass toward us in a silent threat.
"He thinks he has the upper hand," I whispered back.
"He's about to find out how wrong he is," Julian replied smoothly, turning to lead me toward the main stage.
Before Julian could step up to the microphone, his phone vibrated violently in his pocket. He pulled it out, his brow furrowing as he read the encrypted text. Suddenly, his entire posture stiffened, his face draining of color.
"What is it?" I asked, panic instantly creeping into my voice.
Julian grabbed my wrist, pulling me toward the side exit, ignoring the surprised glances of the aristocratic guests around us. "Marcus just went dark. The safehouse security feeds were cut thirty seconds ago."
My blood ran completely cold. "Ellie..."
"Vincent didn't come here to kill me," Julian snarled, his eyes blazing with a terrifying, demonic fury as he drew a compact pistol from his tuxedo jacket. "The gala was a distraction. He sent his hit squad to take our daughter."
"No!" I shrieked, horror surging through me like high-voltage electricity. "No, no, no!"
"Stay behind me!" Julian roared as the grand double doors of the ballroom burst open, revealing six of Moretti's men drawing weapons.
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The ballroom erupted into chaos. Screams filled the air as wealthy guests scattered. Julian moved with terrifying speed and precision. He fired four rapid shots, dropping three men before they could raise their weapons. Taking my hand, he pulled me through a service hallway toward the underground parking garage where a high-powered armored sedan was waiting.
"We have twenty minutes before they reach the city limits with her," Julian said, slamming the accelerator to the floor as the car roared out onto the rain-slicked streets. "Hold on!"
