Chapter 2 - THE ORDER THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Dante heard the change in Sergei's voice, even if he couldn't understand the words.
Mira understood every syllable.
Her eyes moved toward the guard nearest the door.
That was enough.
Dante acted.
“Everyone stays seated.”
His voice carried the authority of a man accustomed to obedience.
Sergei laughed.
“You cannot seriously believe a waitress over me.”
Dante looked at him.
“I believe what people do when they think nobody understands them.”
Mira swallowed.
The guard beside Sergei slowly lowered his hand.
But the danger hadn't passed.
Dante turned toward Mira.
“Leave.”
She stared.
“What?”
“Through the kitchen. Now.”
Sergei leaned forward.
“She's not going anywhere.”
Dante's expression became cold.
“She works here. She isn't part of our negotiation.”
“She's heard enough.”
Dante looked toward the door.
“Marco.”
A broad-shouldered man entered immediately.
Dante's security chief.
“Escort Miss Vance to the staff area.”
Mira blinked.
He knew her name.
She hadn't told him.
Marco stepped beside her.
“Come with me.”
Mira moved toward the door.
Then Sergei said something in Russian.
“Tell Anton the woman goes before the boss.”
Mira stopped.
Anton.
The guard nearest the door.
She turned.
“His name is Anton.”
Dante's gaze sharpened.
“What?”
“The man by the door. Sergei just told someone to kill me before killing you.”
The guard lunged.
A chair overturned.
Glass shattered.
Marco shoved Mira behind him.
Dante moved with terrifying speed.
The room erupted.
Mira didn't see everything.
Only fragments.
A gun drawn.
A body striking the table.
The chandelier trembling.
Someone shouting.
Then Marco pushed her through the doorway.
“Run.”
She ran.
Through the service corridor.
Past the kitchen.
Past Dennis, who stared in horror.
A crash sounded behind her.
Then another.
Mira reached the alley door.
She pushed it open.
Rain struck her face.
She stumbled into the darkness.
Behind her, someone shouted.
A man appeared at the end of the alley.
One of Sergei's people.
He raised his arm.
Mira froze.
Then a second figure collided with him.
They fell against the dumpsters.
A sharp sound cracked through the rain.
Mira ducked.
Something warm splashed across her hands.
She looked down.
Blood.
Marco grabbed her arm.
“Move!”
He pulled her toward a black SUV.
Mira stumbled.
“My hands—”
“Don't look.”
He opened the door.
She climbed inside.
The vehicle accelerated.
Only when they reached the next intersection did Mira realize she was crying.
Marco handed her a clean towel.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“I don't think so.”
He looked toward the driver.
“Call Dante.”
Minutes passed.
Then Marco's phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
And exhaled.
“Boss is alive.”
Mira closed her eyes.
Relief swept through her so suddenly that she almost collapsed.
Then Marco looked at her.
“But Sergei escaped.”
The words turned her relief to ice.
“Miss Vance,” Marco said carefully, “you're going to need protection.”
Mira stared.
“For how long?”
May you like
Marco didn't answer.
And that frightened her more than anything else.
