Chapter 10 - The Charity Gala
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The Mayor’s charity gala was a glittering sea of diamonds, champagne, and ruthless people smiling at each other.
The ballroom was packed with politicians, socialites, and mob bosses pretending to be legitimate businessmen. From the moment we walked in, all eyes were on Leandro. And by extension, all eyes were on me.
"Who is she?" I heard a blonde woman whisper loudly as we passed.
"Must be new money," her companion sneered.
I kept my chin high, my hand resting lightly on Leandro's forearm. Across the room, Stella was already three glasses of champagne deep. She looked completely unhinged, her eyes darting nervously toward the large grandfather clock in the corner.
It was 11:15 PM.
"Stay close to her," Leandro murmured, handing me a glass of sparkling water. "I have to speak with the Mayor. Don't make a scene, but don't let her out of your sight."
He slipped away into the crowd.
I moved discreetly toward the buffet tables, using the large floral arrangements as cover to keep an eye on Stella. She was arguing intensely with a man in a grey suit. I recognized him—it was one of Arthur Perry’s top lieutenants, a man named Russo.
Russo looked angry. Stella looked desperate. She grabbed his arm, begging him for something, but he shoved her hand away and stormed off.
At 11:30 PM, Stella abruptly set her glass down and hurried toward the back exits near the kitchens.
I tapped the small earpiece hidden under my hair twice.
I'm on her, I whispered.
I followed her through the swinging kitchen doors. The noise of the ballroom faded, replaced by the clatter of chefs and servers. Stella ignored them all, pushing through the back alley emergency exit.
I slipped out just in time to see her sliding into the back of a black town car waiting in the alley.
I didn't think. I ran to the nearest cab parked on the street.
"Follow that black car," I told the driver, throwing a hundred-dollar bill onto the front seat. "Keep your distance."
My earpiece crackled. Leandro’s voice was pure ice.
"Where are you?"
May you like
"Heading to Pier 44," I whispered. "She's on the move."
"Don't get out of the cab until I arrive," Leandro commanded. "Do you hear me, Maya? That is an order."
