Chapter 10 - The Poisoned Toast
|
Silas offered a stiff bow, setting a second glass of champagne in front of Sophia.
“A toast to the happy couple,” Silas murmured, his voice laced with a dark, mocking undertone.
Alessandro picked up his glass, his eyes locked dead onto Silas. “Thank you for your service tonight. It’s always nice to see old friends... doing the heavy lifting.”
Silas’s eyes widened slightly in panic. He realized he had been made. He took a slow step backward, his hand drifting toward the inside of his catering jacket.
“Don't even twitch,” a gravelly voice whispered directly behind Silas.
Alessandro’s head of security pressed the barrel of a suppressed pistol firmly into the base of Silas’s spine, completely hidden from the view of the surrounding guests.
Alessandro stood up, raising his glass to the ballroom.
“To my beautiful wife, Sophia,” Alessandro announced, his voice booming over the crowd. “And to the absolute eradication of the rats hiding in our city.”
The crowd cheered, raising their glasses.
Alessandro didn't drink. He smoothly turned and handed his untouched champagne glass directly to Silas.
“Drink it,” Alessandro commanded softly, his smile vanishing entirely.
Silas stared at the bubbling liquid, his face turning an ashen gray. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “I... I am not allowed to drink while working, sir.”
“I insist,” Alessandro said, stepping closer, his imposing frame towering over the assassin. “Drink to my wife’s health, Silas. Or my man will blow your spine out through your stomach right here on the dance floor.”
Silas’s hands shook violently as he took the glass. He knew the liquid was laced with a lethal, fast-acting neurotoxin meant to assassinate the newlywed couple.
“Mateo sends his regards,” Silas spat, a final act of desperate defiance.
Before Silas could throw the glass, Alessandro grabbed the man’s jaw with brutal, crushing force, tilting his head back, and forced the poisoned champagne down the assassin’s throat.
Silas gagged, choking as the liquid burned down his esophagus.
Alessandro dropped him. Silas collapsed to the marble floor, convulsing violently, foam bubbling at the corners of his mouth. The poison worked in seconds.
Screams erupted from the front tables as the guests finally realized what was happening. Chaos instantly consumed the grand ballroom.
“Get them to the vault!” Alessandro roared to his guards, drawing his twin pistols.
May you like
The Vipers hadn't just sent one assassin. The catering staff was heavily compromised.
Waiters began pulling submachine guns from beneath serving carts. The wedding reception had just turned into a slaughterhouse.
