Chapter 6 - The Lethal Invitation
"Someone must have coached her!" Marcus shrieked, his face turning an ugly, blotchy red as he pointed a shaking finger toward the kitchen doors. "It was her mother! Rosa! The maid planted it, and she's using the kid to frame me!"
Dante didn't even blink at the pathetic, desperate lie.
Instead, Dante slowly turned his body and gestured casually toward the black lacquered box resting on the marble table. A chilling, demonic smile spread across his handsome face.
"If Rosa planted it, then there's nothing for you to worry about, brother," Dante said smoothly.
Dante extended his hand toward the deadly package, daring him to take it.
"Come here, Marcus," Dante commanded, his voice projecting clearly over the silent crowd. "It's a gift from the inner circle, right? You should have the honor of untying the red ribbon."
All the color violently drained from Marcus’s face. He physically staggered backward, bumping into a waiter holding a tray of champagne.
He knew exactly what was attached to that dark red silk. If he pulled it, the silver micro-detonator would trigger the block of C4 hidden inside the wood, instantly vaporizing him.
"Dante... no, I couldn't," Marcus choked out, practically hyperventilating. "It’s... it’s your anniversary. You should open it."
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"I insist," Dante replied, his smile completely vanishing. "Open it. Now."
👉 Marcus realized he was entirely trapped, and pure, animalistic desperation was about to make him pull a weapon.
