Chapter 25 - A Dangerous Gala
Despite the rising threat of El Escorpión, Alejandro had a critical, high-profile obligation he could not cancel without raising massive suspicion among his legitimate business partners. The annual Governor’s Charity Gala was being held at the grandest hotel in Monterrey, and Alejandro’s newly formed, legitimate construction company was the primary sponsor. He had to make an appearance to finalize the transition of his public image.
"You are not staying in the bunker tonight," Alejandro told Valeria that evening, handing her a long, velvet garment bag. "You are coming with me. If I leave you here, and the cartel breaches the perimeter, I won't be here to stop them. You are safer by my side in a room full of politicians and federal police."
Valeria opened the bag to find a breathtaking, floor-length emerald green silk gown. She had never worn anything so incredibly expensive or beautiful in her entire life.
When she stepped out of her bedroom an hour later, her dark hair swept up into an elegant chignon, Alejandro completely lost his breath. He was wearing an impeccable black tuxedo, but the moment he saw her, the rest of the world entirely vanished.
"You look absolutely beautiful," Alejandro murmured, offering her his arm.
The gala was a sea of glittering diamonds, expensive champagne, and powerful politicians. Alejandro navigated the crowd with terrifying ease, shaking hands and talking about urban development and philanthropy. Valeria stayed close to his side, playing the role of the elegant tutor and companion flawlessly.
But beneath the surface of the glamorous party, Alejandro’s security team was on high alert. Halfway through the evening, a waiter approached them carrying a silver tray with two glasses of champagne.
As the waiter leaned in, Alejandro noticed something that made his blood freeze. The man had a small, distinct tattoo of a scorpion on his inner wrist.
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Before the waiter could reach into his tuxedo jacket for a concealed weapon, Alejandro moved with blinding, lethal speed. He shoved Valeria behind him, grabbed the heavy silver tray, and smashed it directly into the assassin’s face. The champagne glasses shattered loudly as the man collapsed to the marble floor.
The gala erupted into immediate, absolute chaos. Screams echoed through the ballroom as Alejandro pulled his concealed pistol, grabbed Valeria’s hand, and sprinted for the service exit. The war had officially breached the walls of high society.
