Chapter 8 - THE WEDDING WITHOUT A BRIDE The Grand Marlowe ballroom looked like a wedding waiting for ghosts.
White roses covered every table.
Candles burned beneath crystal chandeliers.
A string quartet had been abandoned in the corner.
The music stands were still open.
Damien stood beneath the largest chandelier.
Warren was tied to a chair.
August Montigue stood nearby.
Victor entered with Detective Quinn.
Damien smiled.
“You brought police.”
“You brought a hostage.”
“You still think this is about Serena.”
August looked nervous.
Victor noticed.
“You know something.”
August said nothing.
Damien held up the original trust.
“Sign your companies over.”
Victor shook his head.
“No.”
“Then Warren dies.”
Victor looked at his brother.
“You always wanted to be me.”
Damien's face hardened.
“You had everything.”
“I built it.”
“I was your brother.”
“You chose this.”
Before Damien could answer, a woman's voice came from the stage.
“Enough.”
Serena stepped into the light.
She was supposed to be in custody.
Instead, she wore a stolen hospital uniform beneath a black coat.
A remote control rested in her hand.
“Everyone drops their weapons.”
Victor's eyes narrowed.
“You escaped.”
Serena smiled.
“I had help.”
The doors locked.
“There is enough fuel beneath this hotel to turn the entire building into a grave.”
Damien stared at her.
“That wasn't the plan.”
Serena looked at him.
“You were never the plan.”
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Then every light in the ballroom went out.
And the screaming began.
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