Chapter 13 - A Whisper of Treason
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Hannah watched Lorenzo disappear into a private corridor, followed shortly after by Vincent and the bald man, Silas.
She knew she was supposed to stay put. But she also knew that Lorenzo was walking into a room with two men who had already proven they were willing to use poison and deception to get what they wanted.
Hannah set her champagne glass down. She caught Marco’s eye across the room, gave him a polite smile, and subtly pointed toward the ladies' restroom. Marco nodded, holding his position.
Instead of going to the restroom, Hannah slipped down a parallel service hallway that ran behind the private meeting rooms. It was dark, smelling of stale smoke and old velvet.
She crept along the carpeted floor until she heard voices leaking from a slightly cracked door.
"...he's completely distracted by that fat bitch," Vincent's voice sneered.
Hannah winced, but forced herself to press her ear closer to the crack.
"The dog was just a test run," Silas’s raspy voice replied. "If the stimulant worked on the beast, it will work on Lorenzo. We spike his scotch tonight. When the aggression kicks in, he'll look unhinged in front of the Commission. They'll strip him of his title, and you take the throne, Vincent."
"Are you sure the dose is high enough?" Vincent asked nervously.
"It's triple what I gave the wolfdog," Silas laughed. "His heart will explode before morning, and they'll just call it a massive coronary."
Hannah’s blood ran completely cold. They weren't just trying to embarrass Lorenzo. They were actively assassinating him tonight.
She turned to run back and warn Marco, but her heel caught the edge of the service carpet. She stumbled, her shoulder hitting the wall with a soft, but noticeable, thud.
The voices inside the room stopped instantly.
"Did you hear that?" Vincent hissed.
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The heavy wooden door swung open. Silas stood in the doorway, his hand reaching inside his tailored jacket. He spotted Hannah instantly.
"Well, well," Silas grinned, pulling a suppressed handgun from his holster. "Looks like the boss's pet got off her leash."
