Chapter 3 - Shadows of the Past and the Betrayal Within
The dining hall erupted into pure chaos. Realizing that the plot had completely unraveled, Richard Bellini signaled frantically to two armed men disguised as catering staff standing near the service entrance.
Before Luca could react, the two operatives drew concealed firearms, aiming them directly at Luca's chest.
“Get down!” I screamed, instinctively throwing myself forward and shoving the heavy silver wine cart into the legs of the nearest gunman.
The cart crashed into his shins with a loud thud, throwing off his aim just as a deafening gunshot echoed through the grand hall. The bullet shattered the crystal pitcher on the table, sending glass shards flying everywhere.
Luca moved with terrifying speed. In a fraction of a second, he drew his own sidearm from his shoulder holster and fired twice with absolute precision. Both gunmen dropped instantly, neutralizing the threat before any guests could be harmed.
Silence fell over the room once more, broken only by the heavy panting of the terrified guests. Richard Bellini stumbled backward, his hands raised in surrender as Luca’s security detail swarmed him, pinning him to the mahogany table.
Luca stood amidst the wreckage, his suit slightly rumpled, his breathing steady. He didn't look at Richard. Instead, his dark eyes scanned the room until they found me standing frozen beside the spilled wine.
He walked over slowly, ignoring the whimpering Vanessa on the floor. When he reached me, his harsh, intimidating aura softened just a fraction as he looked down at my stained uniform.
“Are you hurt, Emily?” he asked, his voice thick with unexpressed emotion.
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I shook my head, tears of relief pricking my eyes. “I’m okay, sir.”
“You can call me Luca,” he replied softly, before turning to his head of security. “Take Richard down to the basement holding cells. Lock Vanessa in the east wing and post guards outside her door. Nobody leaves this estate until I uncover every rat involved in this conspiracy.”
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