Chapter 271
Chapter 271:
“Camille…” Victoria began, alarm clear in her voice.
“No, listen.” Camille moved closer, her mind racing ahead. “Rose is unpredictable when she’s hiding, when she can plan her attacks in secret. But if she comes to the gala, we’ll be ready. We’ll know where she is, what she’s doing.”
“You want to use the gala as bait,” Alexander realized, his expression torn between admiration and concern.
“Yes.” Camille’s eyes burned with determination. “We find her before she finds us. End this once and for all.”
Victoria stared at her adopted daughter, seeing not the broken woman she’d rescued from a parking garage, but someone new. Someone who had been forged in fire and emerged stronger. Part of her felt proud. Another part felt afraid.
“It’s too dangerous,” Victoria insisted. “Rose has already tried to kill Herod. She won’t hesitate to come after you.”
“I’m not Herod,” Camille said quietly. “I’ve never underestimated Rose. I know exactly what she’s capable of.”
Alexander stood, moving to Camille’s side. “If we do this, we do it my way. Every guest checked and rechecked. Security at every entrance. Plainclothes guards throughout the event.”
“And you stay by my side the entire night,” Camille added, taking his hand. “No wandering off to charm donors on your own.”
He smiled slightly. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
Victoria watched them, seeing their determination, their unity. She had taught Camille to face her enemies, to show strength instead of weakness. Now, her student was putting those lessons into practice, despite Victoria’s own fears.
“You’re both insane,” Victoria said finally. “But if you’re determined to do this, we’ll need a detailed security plan. One that assumes Rose will find a way in no matter what we do.”
“Already working on it,” Alexander assured her. “I’ll have a draft by this afternoon.”
Victoria nodded, then focused on Camille. “You understand what you’re risking, yes? Rose isn’t just angry anymore. She’s cornered. Desperate. The most dangerous she’s ever been.”
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“I understand,” Camille said, her voice soft but firm. “But I’m not the woman she tried to destroy in that parking garage. I’m not afraid of her anymore.”
Something flickered across Victoria’s face—pride mixed with worry. “Just remember that not being afraid doesn’t make you bulletproof.”
“That’s why we have security,” Camille replied with a small smile.
Victoria didn’t return the smile. “I’ll make some calls. Add my own resources to Pierce’s team.” She turned to leave, then paused at the door. “Camille, promise me one thing.”
“What?”
“That you’ll listen to your security team. No heroics. No unnecessary risks. Rose isn’t worth dying for.”
Camille nodded solemnly. “I promise.”
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