Chapter 5 - The Rehearsal Dinner
I terminated the call without giving Vanessa the satisfaction of a response.
I executed a dangerous, high-speed maneuver, forcing my sedan through a red light and narrowly missing a delivery truck.
The sudden turn successfully blocked the pursuing black SUV behind a wall of morning traffic.
I did not slow down until we reached the private airstrip where my helicopter was waiting.
Grant was standing on the tarmac, holding the door of the chopper open against the wind.
I handed the medical equipment to him and watched him secure Mara and the boy inside.
I told Grant to take them to the Catskills safehouse and to shoot anyone who approached the perimeter.
As the helicopter lifted off, I drove back toward my Long Island estate alone.
I needed to act completely normal to prevent a premature war that I was not fully prepared to fight.
The wedding rehearsal dinner was scheduled for that evening in the grand ballroom.
When I arrived, the estate was swarming with florists, caterers, and armed security guards from both families.
I changed into a tailored tuxedo, hiding my sidearm securely in the custom holster.
I walked into the ballroom, projecting the cold, untouchable aura of a crime boss.
Vanessa was already there, holding a crystal glass of champagne and smiling radiantly.
She looked perfect, masking her murderous intentions behind layers of expensive makeup and charm.
I greeted her family members, shaking hands with men who would gladly put a bullet in my back.
We sat down at the head table, the picture of absolute mafia royalty.
Vanessa leaned close to me during the first course, her perfume heavy in the air.
She whispered that her men had lost my car, but it did not matter in the long run.
She casually mentioned that it was a shame my favorite maid had suddenly vanished without a trace.
I ate my steak slowly, refusing to show any signs of panic or guilt.
I told her that employees come and go, and that only our families mattered tonight.
Vanessa smiled beautifully, raising her glass to tap against mine in a mocking toast.
She stood up to address the room, commanding the attention of all five hundred guests.
She spoke about loyalty, the merging of our empires, and the bright future we were building.
Then she turned to me with a venomous glint in her dark eyes.
May you like
She announced to the crowd that she had prepared a very special, surprise wedding gift for me.
Vanessa snapped her fingers, and four heavy wooden doors at the back of the ballroom slammed shut simultaneously.
