Chapter 295
Chapter 295:
Stefan’s blood ran cold as understanding dawned. He backed away slowly, careful not to make a sound, then turned and moved quickly back toward the ballroom. He needed to find security. Now.
The second device went beneath the kitchen, tucked against a main support beam. Rose worked quickly and efficiently. The kitchen staff was too busy preparing desserts to notice her slipping in and out through the back entrance.
As she headed toward her third location, the main ventilation system, Rose caught sight of a security guard patrolling the corridor ahead. She ducked into a small cleaning closet, holding her breath as his footsteps approached, then passed. Her heart hammered against her ribcage.
This was the part she loved—the danger, the risk, the knowledge that discovery meant failure. But she wouldn’t fail. Not tonight. Not when she was so close to destroying everything Camille had built.
When the footsteps faded, Rose continued on her path. The ventilation room was locked, but the key she had taken from the unconscious maintenance worker opened it easily. Inside, massive fans circulated air throughout the building. Rose placed her final device where the blast would damage the maximum number of ducts, potentially filling the entire building with smoke and debris.
Timer set. 42:17.42–16. 42:15…
She checked her watch. Five minutes until she needed to meet Mikhail—plenty of time to make her way back through the service corridors. She closed the ventilation room door behind her, locking it to prevent anyone from discovering her handiwork too soon.
As she turned toward the rendezvous point, a voice made her freeze.
“Excuse me, you shouldn’t be here.”
Rose turned slowly, finding herself face to face with a hotel security guard. His hand rested on his radio, ready to call for backup.
She smiled sweetly. “I’m so sorry. I got lost looking for the storage room. They sent me to get more napkins for the bar.”
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The guard’s expression remained suspicious. “ID badge?”
Rose fumbled in her pocket as if searching for it, then brought her hand out in a swift, practiced motion. The taser made contact with the guard’s neck before he could react. He dropped to the floor, his body convulsing briefly before going still.
Rose dragged him into the nearby cleaning closet, taking his radio and security badge. She couldn’t risk him waking and raising the alarm too early. Time to meet Mikhail and get out before the real show began.
“Mr. Pierce.” Stefan approached Alexander with urgency, keeping his voice low to avoid alarming nearby guests. “We need to talk. Now.”
Alexander excused himself from a conversation with donors and moved to a quieter corner with Stefan. “What is it?”
“I just saw a man placing what looked like an explosive device near a support column in the service corridor.” Stefan’s words came out in a rush. “Russian, large build, staff uniform.”
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