Chapter 12 - A Sanctuary in the Dark
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The black sedan pulled into the private underground garage of the Drake Hotel at precisely 8:15 P.M.
The rain was pouring hard outside, echoing through the concrete garage like distant applause.
We didn't take the main entrance. Marco’s men had secured the service elevator, locking down the controls so we could move directly to the floor above the main ballroom without being spotted by the press line in the lobby.
As the elevator rose, Marco stood beside me, his shoulder brushing against mine.
"Your heart is steady," he noted, glancing down at my hands.
"I thought I would be terrified," I confessed softly, watching the floor numbers light up on the digital display. "10... 11... 12. But I just feel cold."
"That isn't coldness, Jane," Marco said, reaching out to adjust the silk lapel of his jacket. "That's clarity. For the first time in your life, you are the one holding the blade."
The elevator chimed, the doors sliding open to reveal a quiet, carpeted hallway lined with two of Marco's armed guards.
Enzo was waiting by the double fire doors that opened onto the balcony overlooking the Grand Ballroom. He held a tablet showing a live video feed from inside the event.
"She’s on stage now, Boss," Enzo whispered, stepping aside. "She just finished the introductory slides about the foundation's expansion."
Through the heavy oak doors, I could hear the muffled sound of Charlotte's voice carried through a high-powered sound system.
"...and though my heart is broken tonight," she was telling the crowd, her tone dripping with dramatic grief, "I know that Jane would want us to carry on this noble work..."
Marco looked at me, holding out his arm.
"Shall we give her what she wants?" Marco whispered.
May you like
I slid my gloved hand over his arm, feeling the solid, unshakeable muscle beneath his wool coat.
"Let's go," I said.
