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Opening the door, I exit the bathroom and walk down the hallway like I belong. No one pays any attention to me as they’re all too busy ensuring the night goes off without a hitch.
Thankfully, the crypt is small, so it’s easy to find. The moment I walk down the stone stairs and see it up ahead, a bubble of excitement rises because I couldn’t have set a better scene myself. It’s Gothic and haunting, and I can imagine this crypt was used for more sinister events back in the day.
The security guard at the door is too busy chatting to some busty blonde to pay any attention to me as I flash him my invite. He nods that I’m to enter without even bothering to frisk me first. This is a blessing and a curse because I wonder who else is armed.
Babydoll has my gun and knife in her bag as the guards won’t search her, but it seems they’re not searching anyone, which is strange.
Taking in my surroundings, I’m thankful the lighting is dim, as it allows me to keep to the shadows. I walk through the room, passing a harpist playing a soft piece on her large white harp. The room is lit up with candles, setting a romantic mood for some, but to me, it is the perfect place to spill blood.
Tall tables covered with white tablecloths are set up around the room as it’s not a formal dinner. Guests stand around, sipping French champagne and laughing like they’re here to have a good time. But we’re all privy to the fact that this fundraiser is a load of shite.
Every person in this room is as corrupt as the other, and soon, they’ll learn what happens when you side with the wrong team. From the looks of their fancy jewels and expensive dresses and suits, they are the rich who are considered upstanding citizens to the unsuspecting.
Behind closed doors, though, these arseholes are depraved, cruel sadists who exploit anyone for their own personal gain. I think about the gangs Brody is offering protection against. Taking in the crowd, I’d bet anything the gangs are made up of these men and women.
The more fear they instill in people, the more power they have. Their time has come to an end.
I see an ice statue of a cherub up ahead. Babydoll stands behind it, casually sipping champagne. In the room of hundreds, she stands out. She is my beacon of light in a weathering storm.
I make my way over to her, not drawing any attention to myself as I keep to the shadows with my chin downcast. When I reach her, she doesn’t flinch. She doesn’t acknowledge my presence because to onlookers, we’re merely strangers, waiting for our host to address the room.
I reach for a glass of champagne and drink it coolly while examining the room from behind the rim. I can’t see any familiar faces, but that doesn’t mean they’re not here.
The music suddenly quiets, and the room erupts into loud applause when Brody Doyle appears. His friends slap him on the back while his smugness has me guessing he has no idea I’m here. Liam stands to the left of the small stage, watching the room closely.
I’m thankful Brody has chosen candlelight to set the theme because Babydoll and I remain hidden at the back of the room.
Brody taps the microphone once, ensuring it’s on. “Friends,” he starts, giving the room a false sense of security. “Thank you for coming tonight. It means a lot to my family and me.”
He takes a deep breath, which is all for show, as he ensures it echoes across the speakers.
“We’re here tonight because my daughter, Erin, was taken away from me. She was innocent. She never hurt a soul. But that didn’t stop those terrorists. The police are still searching for her killers, but it’ll never bring back my Erin.”
Sniffles around the room reveal some people have fallen for Brody’s bullshit, but I know better. He’s bitter because Sean outsmarted him. I don’t know what he hopes to achieve with this fundraiser, but I doubt he’s hosting this out of the goodness of his heart.
Both Sean’s and Brody’s allies are split down the middle, meaning one can’t overthrow the other. They are both as spineless and untrustworthy as the other, which is why my plan to eliminate both won’t fail.
“Tonight is in honor of my late daughter, who was taken away far too soon. All money raised will be donated to the Seek Help Foundation here in Dublin who help unfortunate children so they don’t end up on the streets, their future fated to be one of crime and gang-related activities. So please dig deep.”
I scoff softly because this sob story is fucking pathetic.
His claims of caring for anyone other than himself are laughable. This fundraiser is no doubt a ruse for him to seek out future employees. The misfits, the kids who won’t be missed, are most valuable to men like Brody.
“Can I call my daughter, Camilla, up here to help with the auction?”
I don’t allow my emotion to show because I didn’t know about this. Babydoll said to trust her, so this is me trusting her. But going in blind turns my stomach. If anything were to happen to her up there…
I swallow past the thought because I need to focus.
The crowd watches her as she passes them gracefully. She holds her head high, owning the room like the queen she is. When she gets on stage, Brody pulls her in for a hug. She kisses his cheek, not letting on what’s about to transpire.
I keep my eye on Liam because something about him appears off. I can’t place my finger on it, but he seems…distracted. An ominous weight settles in my gut, but I shrug it off as my paranoid mind just adding to the ever-growing shite pile.
“Thank you for coming,” Babydoll says into the microphone, addressing the room. “It means a lot to…my family.”
Her pause reveals the disgust she feels at associating herself with the Doyle name. But she’ll never be one of those fuckers.
“The first thing we have up for auction is a personal training session with Lachlan O’Malley.”
