Chapter 19 - THE BALLROOM OF SHADOWS
They burst through a rusty iron hatch, emerging into the dark, cavernous basement storage room of the Gilded Room itself.
The smells of high-end wine, aged truffles, and lavender linen hung in the air. Upstairs, through the floorboards, they could hear the muted sounds of a live jazz quartet playing a slow, seductive melody. Above them, the restaurant was in the middle of a high-society charity gala, completely oblivious to the bloodbath unfolding in the depths beneath their feet.
Adam glanced at his vintage gold wristwatch.
*11:47 PM.*
"Thirteen minutes," Adam said, his breathing ragged. "In thirteen minutes, Noah turns seven. The trust locks permanently. Evelyn has thirteen minutes to kill him or she loses everything."
"She won't get the chance," Leah said. She reached into an emergency glass case on the wall and pulled out a heavy chrome fire extinguisher and a red flare from the building’s marine safety kit. "Adam, take Noah into the walk-in refrigeration vault. It’s bulletproof, soundproof, and locks from the inside. Do not open it for anyone except me."
"I am not leaving you to fight them alone," Adam protested fiercely.
"You have to protect Noah!" Leah grabbed Adam by his lapels, looking directly into his eyes. "If you die, Julian’s debt transfers Noah into Evelyn’s custody as his legal guardian. You are his shield, Adam. Let me be the weapon."
Adam stared at her, seeing an unyielding iron will in the eyes of the former waitress who had caught his world out of thin air. He pulled Noah close, stepped into the stainless-steel refrigeration vault, and grabbed Leah’s hand one last time.
"Bring her down," Adam said.
May you like
"Count on it," Leah replied, slamming the heavy vault door shut and spinning the pressure wheel until the steel deadbolts locked into place.
Leah turned toward the service stairs leading up to the grand dining room. She ignited the red flare with a sharp strike. Hissing crimson smoke exploded into the gloom, bathing her silhouette in fire as she charged up the marble steps.
