Chapter 10: The Gala
The Grand Horizon Hotel was a glittering fortress of glass and steel, its towering presence dominating the city skyline. As Alicia stepped out of the car, she felt a wave of nerves crash over her. The gala was in full swing, the entrance bustling with elegantly dressed guests, flashing cameras, and the low hum of chatter. She smoothed the sleek black dress Caden had procured for her, feeling both out of place and strangely empowered.
Caden, dressed in a tailored suit that made him look every bit the part of a wealthy guest, offered her his arm. “Ready?” he asked, his voice low.
Alicia took a deep breath, forcing herself to nod. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
They walked into the hotel, blending seamlessly with the crowd. The lobby was a spectacle of opulence—crystal chandeliers, marble floors, and the faint sound of a string quartet playing in the distance. Alicia’s heart raced as they made their way to the ballroom, her eyes scanning the room for any sign of Victor Kane.
“Stay close,” Caden murmured, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back. “We need to find Kane, but we can’t draw attention to ourselves.”
Alicia nodded, her nerves on edge. She felt like a fish out of water, surrounded by the city’s elite while knowing that danger lurked just beneath the surface. “What’s the plan once we find him?”
Caden’s expression was grim. “We confront him. But carefully. He’s not the type to go down without a fight, and we’re outnumbered here.”
Alicia swallowed hard, her mind racing. She didn’t know what she’d expected, but the reality of the situation was more daunting than she’d imagined. Still, she knew they didn’t have a choice. If they didn’t stop Kane, they’d never be safe.
As they moved through the ballroom, Alicia’s eyes landed on a man standing near the bar. He was tall and imposing, with sharp features and an air of authority that made him stand out even in this crowd. He was surrounded by a group of people, all hanging on his every word.
“That’s him,” Caden said quietly, following her gaze. “Victor Kane.”
Alicia’s chest tightened. He looked every bit the powerful, dangerous man Marcus had described. “What do we do now?”
Caden’s eyes narrowed as he studied Kane. “We wait for the right moment. We can’t make a move here, not with all these people around. But we need to get him alone.”
Alicia nodded, though her nerves were on edge. She didn’t know how they were going to pull this off, but she trusted Caden to lead the way.
They spent the next hour mingling with the crowd, keeping a close eye on Kane while trying not to draw attention to themselves. Alicia felt like she was walking a tightrope, every smile and polite conversation a mask for the tension simmering beneath the surface.
Finally, Kane excused himself from his group and made his way toward a private hallway. Caden’s eyes lit up, and he gently guided Alicia in the same direction.
“This is our chance,” he said, his voice low. “Stay behind me.”
Alicia nodded, her heart pounding as they followed Kane down the hallway. The noise of the gala faded behind them, replaced by the soft hum of the hotel’s air conditioning. Kane stopped at a door, glancing around before slipping inside.
Caden hesitated for a moment, then gestured for Alicia to stay back. “Wait here. I’ll handle this.”
Alicia shook her head, her voice firm. “No. I’m coming with you.”
Caden’s expression softened, but he didn’t argue. “Alright. But stay close.”
They approached the door, Caden carefully turning the handle and pushing it open. The room inside was dimly lit, with plush furniture and a large window overlooking the city. Kane was standing by the window, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He turned as they entered, his expression calm but his eyes sharp.
“Well, well,” Kane said, his voice smooth and measured. “I was wondering when you’d show up, Caden.”
Caden stepped forward, his posture tense but controlled. “We need to talk, Kane.”
Kane took a sip of his whiskey, his gaze flicking to Alicia. “And who’s this? Your new partner in crime?”
Alicia held his gaze, refusing to back down. “I’m the one you’ve been trying to kill.”
Kane chuckled, a low, humorless sound. “Ah, Mrs. Yates. I’ve heard so much about you. Though I must say, you’re more… resilient than I expected.”
Caden’s voice was cold. “This ends tonight, Kane. You’re not going to get away with this.”
Kane’s expression darkened, his calm demeanor slipping for just a moment. “You think you can stop me? You’re out of your depth, Caden. Both of you.”
Before Caden could respond, the door behind them burst open, and two armed men stepped inside, their guns trained on Caden and Alicia. Alicia’s heart raced, her mind screaming at her to run, but there was nowhere to go.
Kane smirked, setting his glass down on the windowsill. “You really thought you could walk in here and take me down? How quaint.”
Caden’s jaw tightened, his eyes darting between Kane and the armed men. “Let her go, Kane. This is between you and me.”
Kane shook his head, his expression almost pitying. “You still don’t get it, do you? This was never about you, Caden. It’s about power. Control. And you’re just a pawn in the game.”
Alicia’s chest tightened as the reality of the situation sank in. They were trapped, outnumbered, and outgunned. But she refused to give up. Not now. Not ever.
“You’re wrong,” she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her. “This isn’t a game. And we’re not pawns.”
Kane’s smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculating expression. “Brave words. But bravery won’t save you.”
Before he could say more, the sound of sirens echoed through the room, growing louder by the second. Kane’s eyes narrowed, and he turned to the window, his expression darkening.
“What the hell is this?” he demanded, his voice sharp.
Caden’s lips curved into a faint smile. “You didn’t think we’d come here without a backup plan, did you?”
Kane’s jaw tightened, his calm demeanor cracking. “You’re bluffing.”
Caden shrugged, his tone casual. “Maybe. But are you willing to take that chance?”
For a moment, the room was silent, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Then, Kane gestured to the armed men. “Get them out of here. Now.”
The men moved forward, but before they could reach Caden and Alicia, the door burst open again, and a swarm of police officers flooded the room, their guns drawn.
“Freeze! Hands in the air!” one of the officers shouted.
Kane’s expression turned to one of pure rage as he raised his hands, his eyes locked on Caden. “This isn’t over,” he snarled.
Caden’s smile widened. “Yeah. It is.”
As the police moved in to arrest Kane and his men, Alicia felt a wave of relief wash over her. It wasn’t over—not yet—but they’d taken a huge step forward. And for the first time in what felt like forever, she felt like they might actually have a chance.
Caden turned to her, his expression softening. “You okay?”
Alicia nodded, though her legs were still shaky. “Yeah. I think so.”
Caden reached out, gently squeezing her hand. “We did it, Alicia. Together.”
Alicia managed a small smile, her heart swelling with a mix of emotions. They’d faced the enemy head-on, and they’d come out on top. But she knew one thing for sure: the fight wasn’t over. And as long as they were together, they could face whatever came next.
The game had changed. And this time, they were the ones holding the cards.