Chapter 2 - The March to the Altar
The ballroom was a sea of glittering diamonds and expensive champagne.
The string quartet was playing a beautiful, haunting melody.
None of the wealthy politicians or powerful mobsters knew they were sitting on a powder keg.
Roman stood at the front of the room, looking like a king observing his court.
Elena stood beside him, clutching his arm with a picture-perfect smile.
Her veil caught the light of the crystal chandeliers, making her look like an angel.
But Roman knew she was a demon hiding in white silk.
Julian stood a few feet away, his hands folded neatly behind his back.
He looked completely relaxed, like a man who had already won the game.
The massive, six-tier black wedding cake sat on a silver rolling cart in the center of the dance floor.
It was a masterpiece of dark chocolate and black fondant.
Roman felt the weight of the gold-plated cake knife in his right hand.
He knew exactly what was waiting inside that second tier.
He scanned the dark corners of the grand hall, looking for a tiny shadow.
He saw her.
Maya was crouched behind a marble pillar near the massive stone fireplace.
She was gripping the heavy brass poker with both of her small hands.
Her oversized, flour-dusted apron made her look incredibly out of place among the evening gowns and tuxedos.
But she was the most important person in the room.
"It's time, darling," Elena whispered, leaning into Roman's shoulder.
"Everyone is waiting for the first slice."
Roman forced a small, chilling smile onto his face.
"Yes," Roman replied smoothly.
"Let's give them a moment they will never forget."
He stepped forward, pulling Elena with him toward the cake cart.
The crowd erupted into polite applause.
Cameras flashed, blinding the room with bursts of white light.
Roman raised the gold-plated knife high into the air.
He locked eyes with Julian, making sure the fixer was watching.
He saw Julian’s shoulders tense slightly in anticipation.
Roman began to bring the knife down toward the black icing.
He moved in slow motion, counting the milliseconds in his head.
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Suddenly, a blur of motion erupted from the shadows.
It was time.
