Chapter 3 - The Shadow in the Library
The grand ballroom was immediately evacuated, and Casper ordered a complete lockdown of the estate. No one was allowed in or out. He guided Willow and Uncle August into his private executive study, locking the heavy mahogany doors behind them.
"Tell me everything, Willow," Casper urged, pouring a glass of amber liquid and sliding it across the desk to her. His dark eyes studied her distinct features, admiring the raw courage hiding behind her modest maid's uniform. "Who was Cordelia talking to?"
Willow took a deep breath, her auburn-red hair catching the warm light of the desk lamp. "Last night, during the rehearsal dinner, I was assigned to polish the silver in the west wing library. Everyone was supposed to be in the dining hall. But then I heard the heavy library doors open, so I hid behind the heavy velvet curtains."
Casper leaned against the edge of his desk, crossing his arms over his black tuxedo vest. "Go on."
"Cordelia walked in," Willow continued, her voice trembling slightly at the memory. "But she wasn't alone. A man stepped out of the shadows. He was tall, wearing a long dark overcoat, with a jagged scar running down the left side of his neck. He spoke with a heavy Russian accent."
Uncle August gasped, slamming his hand onto the armrest of his leather chair. "A Russian accent? With a neck scar? Casper, that matches the description of Viktor 'The Hound' Volkov. He’s the top contract killer for the rival Vitiello syndicate!"
Willow nodded slowly. "Cordelia handed him a thick manila envelope. I pulled out my phone and hit record when she started outlining the payment. She told him that taking out Casper during the honeymoon in Italy wouldn't raise suspicion. But then, the man said something else before he left."
Casper’s sharp jawline tightened. "What did he say, Willow?"
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"He said the honeymoon was too far away," Willow revealed, looking directly into Casper's eyes with a chilling urgency. "He said, 'Why wait for Italy, when the Falcone empire can burn on the wedding day?'"
👉 Read PART 4 to discover the terrifying secondary trap the assassin had already set in motion!
