Page 5 of Tempted By Poison

Chapter 2

Poison

Code red means one thing...you guess

The gala is what Iexpected. Infested with too good for you, rich freaks with too much money to drain.

It all makes me sick to my stomach to be involved in this atrocity again. I haven’t been to a ball of any kind for twelve years now. The only time I would go was if my father forced us to go in order to make himself look like the doting father figure of the year. People love to see the facade of a family man. No one cared to look close enough, because if they did, they wouldn't like what they see.

However, it’s all for the greater good. For the mission. To finally see what Victor has up his sleeve and why he chose to lure me here. Either I’m being idiotic or catching the bull by the horns before he wreaks more havoc. That’s why it was so imperative I saw the outline of this place before coming here. I won’t be caught off guard like I was with Fred.

Instead of Victor, I decided that every last person stepping into this place would be scanned by the eye recognition device. The technology would send their pictures to Bedford, giving us a snippet of everything about them, down to their favorite foods.What you don’t know will kill you. I’d rather be safe than sorry.

There are people scattered everywhere, propped with flashy sequin dresses, overly expensive perfumes, and decorative masks. The perfect scene to let a monster run rampant. It hides all the destruction behind pretty cloth and shining jewels, meanwhile evil is evident in your face.

I circle my hands behind my back, scanning the room for my team. The capacity is not too bad. Approximately a hundred people at best. Maybe more.

I walk past a large fountain with a glowing red light, pouring out water to make it resemble blood. I shake my head at the ridiculous item.

What the fuck is this for?

I continue strolling about until my eyes land on Boone, who comes into view from across the room. I nod, turning the other way. Our goal is simple. We take out any noticeable guards that are working for Victor. It’s obvious. They all wear black with headsets attached to their ears. Mercenaries, no doubt. When we kill them, that gives us an advantage. Once we complete that, we will corner Victor in his office. And I’ll take care of the rest.

I walk through the banquet hall, where more guests mingle, all waltzing around in interesting masks. This part is good for me, allowing me to remain hidden behind the mask of fake people. In case Victor appears. He may not notice me, but I don’t want to give him the chance to know who I am. Not until he's hanging by his own intestines.

“Bedford eyes on everything.” I look around the room naturally, not seeming like the weird guy talking to himself.

“Got it,” Bedford states back. Taking notice that more guests are arriving. My calculations are wrong.

Two hundred people.

I look over my shoulder, setting eyes on every corner of the room. A bodyguard at each one. I head to the grand staircase, my focus still on the look-out for Mal and Anita. I roll up my sleeve, checking my watch.

Where the hell is she?

More people are lined up on the mezzanine, sipping wine from a gold-rimmed flute. Classical music fills the background while some of them sway and move in the middle of the room. A waiter wearing a black and white suit with an eye mask carries a tray beneath his palm. I grab onto the flute and lean on the cemented beam sitting in the middle of the balcony. I don’t typically drink, only every once in a while. But I need to look normal and fit in.

Taking another sip, because the bubbly isn't so bad; that’s when I saw her. Strolling into the banquet area, a black eye mask with gold spikes, and a hand purse clutched to her torso. Her presence alone shines brighter than the jewelry she wears. I only know it’s her because only she can own the fucking room like this, and I can never forget that sexy ass black dress that fits her sexy curves in every way imaginable. I could’ve—no,should've, ripped it to shreds and claimed her body right there in front of that mirror.

I almost did. It was highly tempting. Instead, I only wanted to touch her like an obsessed freak and smell her delicious scent. It's hard not to when her skin is so soft, and her presence alone makes my pulse skyrocket.

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