Page 150

I’d already met the judges last night at the dinner for all the nominees. There wasn’t anything I needed to do today except show up and mingle. Media from all over the world were present as well. I’d met a couple of them last night and told them about a new wine debuting next month. They offered to do a segment, and I returned the favor with free samples being sent to them soon.

The crowd increased as the wine event began. People dressed in tuxedos and beautiful gowns filled the ballroom.

Grayson and Natalie spotted us and headed over.

“You look absolutely stunning.” Natalie embraced Vivian.

“You too! I love the purple satin on you. Gorgeous.” Vivian twirled Natalie around.

“All good?” Grayson looked at me.

I nodded and glanced around. “Let’s hope we spot them soon.”

Each of us was responsible for locating members of the elite. Grayson and Natalie would keep their eyes open for the governor and the judge. Vivian and I would search for the prince and Ghost. Since we both had dealt with Ghost, it would be easier for us to spot them.

Grayson and Natalie made their way into the ballroom first. They’d monitor one end of the room while Vivian and I oversaw the other.

I clasped Vivian’s hand and met her gaze. “My charger for all things.” She smiled as I lifted her hand for a kiss.

The ballroom was decorated like a royal event with extravagant lighting, impressive centerpieces, hanging crystals with flowers draping down from the high ceiling, and silky curtains that enhanced the tables and chairs. This was why the Monte Carlo stood out from other hotels.

A hostess walked by with a tray of various drinks. I looked over to ask Vivian if she would like anything to drink, but she had her phone flush to her ear.

Vivian looked at me and mouthed, “I hear them.”

“No, thank you,” I told the hostess.

I ushered Vivian away from the crowd to the wall and listened in. Ghost was talking to the prince, the governor, and the judge.

Keep talking.

Everything they said wouldbe recorded. Human trafficking. Drugs. Racketeering. Money laundering. Then the recording picked up static, disrupting the feed. I couldn’t hear everything. Hopefully, the recording would be fine.

No voices came on for the next minute or two. Then an explosion erupted somewhere, and the fire alarm sounded, forcing the sprinklers in the room to activate.

Panic filled the ballroom, and people scattered everywhere. They crowded my space and separated Vivian from me.

“Arrow!” she shouted as frightened people swarmed between us.

I pushed my way toward her. A weapon pressed into my back, and terror slithered up my spine.

“Come with me, or I’ll shoot you.”

Ghost.

I met Vivian’s eyes for a moment before people blocked my view. I didn’t want her anywhere close to me right now.

Ghost led me down a hall.“Make a sound, make a move, and I’ll blast your guts out just like your father’s.”

Ghost killed my father?

We entered a conference room, and he closed and locked the door. He wore a blond wig and a black tuxedo, blending in with the crowd.

“You killed my father? How did you know him?”

“He owed The Triad a lot of money. Guess he had a lot of hospital bills.” Ghost grinned. “But he owed The Trogyn more. Alcohol and gambling got him into a lot of trouble.”

He stood a few feet from me while pointing the gun in my direction. I could reach into my pants pocket, turn on my phone, and activate the button to end him right now. But that required too many steps, giving him too many opportunities to shoot me. Like Grayson, I’d worn the special Kevlar-infused suit for extra protection, but my face, neck, and hands were exposed.