The air was heavy with tension, though the lavish surroundings of the charity gala gave no hint of the danger lurking beneath. Louis stood by the grand window of the ballroom, his sharp eyes scanning the room as a sea of well-dressed guests mingled and laughed, oblivious to the storm brewing in his world.
This event wasn’t just for show. Louis had orchestrated it to bring together some of the city’s most influential figures-businessmen, politicians, and those with ties to the underworld. It was a trap, meticulously set to flush out those targeting Daisy.
Daisy arrived late, her radiant presence turning heads as she walked in wearing a sleek black gown that hugged her figure. Her confidence was magnetic, though Louis caught the flicker of unease in her eyes as she met his gaze. She felt out of place among the glittering crowd, but she’d come for Louis. He had asked her to be here, and she couldn’t refuse him.
“Daisy,” Louis greeted her, his voice low and warm. “You look stunning.”
“And you look… like you’ve been up to something,” Daisy replied with a teasing smile, though her words carried a hint of suspicion.
Louis’s lips curved into a smirk. “You wound me, Firefly. Can’t I simply want to enjoy an evening with you?”
“Hmm,” Daisy hummed, unconvinced.
The moment was interrupted as Liam joined them, his expression grim. “Louis, it’s time,” he said, his tone heavy with meaning.
Daisy frowned. “Time for what?”
“Just business,” Louis replied smoothly, though his demeanor had shifted to one of calculated focus. “Stay close, Daisy. I’ll be right back.”
As Louis and Liam stepped away, Daisy’s unease grew. Something wasn’t right, but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
Louis and Liam walked through the dimly lit corridors of the hotel, their voices low but intense.
“The intel checks out,” Liam said. “Ricci’s people are here. But there’s something else… Natalie’s been spotted too.”
Louis’s jaw tightened. “I told you she’s more involved than we thought.”
“You were right, but we need proof. She’s clever enough to cover her tracks. For now, we focus on keeping Daisy safe.”
Louis nodded. “I’ll handle Ricci. You keep an eye on Daisy.”
Liam hesitated. “You’re not planning to go back, are you? To them?”
Louis’s gaze hardened. “I already have. It’s the only way to ensure her safety.”
“You know what that world does to people.”
“I know exactly what it does,” Louis replied coldly. “That’s why I’m the only one who can stop it.”
Back in the ballroom, Daisy’s unease turned into a nagging suspicion. Louis had been distant lately, disappearing for hours without explanation and returning with a darker, more dangerous aura. She had noticed the bruises, the whispers he thought she couldn’t hear.
Daisy’s intuition told her Louis was hiding something, but she didn’t know how to confront him without unraveling everything they had rebuilt.
As she sipped her drink, Daisy’s attention was drawn to a familiar figure slipping through the crowd-Natalie. She froze, her heart pounding. What was Natalie doing here?
Before Daisy could act, the lights flickered, and a sudden commotion erupted near the entrance. A group of masked men stormed in, their intentions clear as they brandished weapons.
Screams filled the room as the men ordered everyone to stay put. Daisy’s breath hitched as one of the men approached her, grabbing her arm roughly.
“Let her go,” a voice growled.
The man turned to find Louis standing there, his eyes blazing with fury.
“Make me,” the man sneered.
It was a mistake.
Louis moved with deadly precision, disarming the man and taking him down in seconds. The room descended into chaos as more men rushed in, but Louis was prepared. Liam joined the fray, fighting alongside his brother-in-law.
Daisy tried to stay out of the way, but one of the attackers grabbed her, dragging her toward the exit. She struggled, kicking and screaming, until she felt the grip loosen.
It was Natalie.
“Run, Daisy!” Natalie shouted, her voice filled with panic.
For a moment, Daisy hesitated, confusion clouding her mind. Why was Natalie helping her?
Louis appeared out of nowhere, pulling Daisy into his arms. “I’ve got you,” he whispered, his voice trembling with relief.
Louis carried Daisy out of the chaos, his grip on her firm yet gentle. He didn’t stop until they reached a private suite, far from the chaos.
He set her down on the bed, his hands trembling as he checked her for injuries. “Are you hurt?”
“No,” Daisy replied, her voice shaky. “Louis, what’s going on?”
Louis didn’t answer. Instead, he pulled her into a tight embrace, burying his face in her hair. “I thought I lost you,” he murmured, his voice raw with emotion.
Daisy’s heart ached at the vulnerability in his tone. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him just as tightly. “I’m here,” she whispered. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Louis pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers. “Daisy, there’s something I need to tell you.”
But before he could speak, Liam burst into the room. “We need to go. Now.”
Louis’s expression darkened. “What happened?”
“Natalie. She’s been taken by Ricci’s men.”
Daisy’s blood ran cold. Despite everything, Natalie was still her best friend. “We have to help her,” she said urgently.
Louis exchanged a look with Liam. “We will,” he promised.
But as they prepared to leave, Daisy couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous.