Chapter 3
Victoria was still wearing her crystal-covered dress, though it was now partially concealed by a dark trench coat.
In her right hand, she held a sleek silver revolver, pointed casually at Beatrice’s chest.
“Victoria,” Beatrice said, forcing her breathing to remain slow and steady.
“Where is Charles?”
“Charles is a coward,” Victoria sneered, her refined demeanor dropping to reveal pure desperation.
“He panicked the moment Dante Moretti walked into that ballroom.”
“He had good reason to panic,” Beatrice replied, taking half a step back toward the elevator.
“Don't move,” Victoria barked, raising the gun until the barrel aligned with Beatrice’s eyes.
“Do you have the original hard drive?”
Through the earpiece, Beatrice heard the faint sound of boots moving silently on the concrete above them.
Dante was already inside.
“It’s in my bag,” Beatrice lied smoothly, clutching her clutch tighter against her ribs.
“Give it to me,” Victoria demanded, taking a step forward.
“Why did you do it?” Beatrice asked, trying to buy every second she could.
“Four point eight million dollars isn't just an accounting error, Victoria. That’s systemic embezzlement.”
Victoria laughed, a harsh, brittle sound that echoed off the damp brick walls.
“Systemic? That money was supposed to be my exit strategy!”
“From Wilkes & Hart?”
“From Charles! From the firm! From this entire miserable city!” Victoria hissed, her composure fraying at the edges.
“I spent ten years building Charles’s client base while he took all the credit and the bonuses.”
“So you framed Moretti Holdings?” Beatrice pushed gently.
“Moretti’s accounts are a labyrinth,” Victoria explained, a delusional note of pride in her voice.
“He has hundreds of shell companies. A few hundred thousand shifted here and there over three years should have been invisible.”
“Until I audited the quarterlies,” Beatrice noted.
“Until you had to be a hero!” Victoria snapped, stepping closer until the gun was inches from Beatrice.
“If you had just signed the certification like Charles asked, none of this would be happening.”
“And my sister?” Beatrice asked, her voice trembling with genuine rage. “Why bring Maggie into this?”
“Because you needed a reason to shut your mouth and walk away!”
“She’s small time, Victoria,” Dante’s voice suddenly boomed through the space, but it wasn't from the earpiece.
The heavy elevator gate slid open with a screech of rusted iron.
Dante Moretti stepped out of the shadow of the elevator cab, looking immaculate despite the surrounding decay.
Victoria spun around in horror, her gun wavering between Beatrice and Dante.
“Get back!” Victoria screamed, her hand shaking violently now. “I’ll shoot her! I swear I’ll shoot her!”
Dante didn't stop walking.
He moved with terrifying, deliberate grace, completely ignoring the firearm pointed at his head.
May you like
“You won't shoot anyone, Victoria,” Dante said, his voice as smooth as velvet.
“Because if you pull that trigger, you won't survive the next three seconds.”
