Page 99 of Always A Villain

“My fiancée lacks manners, it seems.” Enzo’s humorless chuckle slithers beneath my skin. “Americans—so predictably rude.”

“She’ll learn,” Antonio answers, his grip bruising my arm. “Won't you, Victoria?”

“Go to hell. Both of you.”

Enzo smirks. “Antonio, you didn’t mention she was such a fiery one.”

“A handful, but worth it,” Antonio assures him.

I wrench my arm free, nearly tipping my wine as I do. And then the door opens, and my heart stumbles as Creed walks in.

“Ah, Creed.” Antonio lights up like it’s a family reunion. “So glad you could join. Victoria, say hello to your friend.”

My face twists. “What the hell are you doing here?” I demand.

“Wouldn’t miss the big day,” Creed says, an infuriating smirk plastered across his stupid fucking face.

“Traitor,” I spit. Grabbing my wine, I fling it across the table. Red spatters Creed’s face, but he just wipes it off, unfazed.

Antonio’s hand clamps down on my shoulder, shoving me back into my seat. “One more outburst, and I’ll have you restrained,” he snarls. Then he turns to Enzo, as if I’m a child misbehaving. “My apologies, Enzo. She’s not as refined as I’d hoped.”

“No matter,” Enzo replies dismissively. “She’ll learn her place soon enough.” He studies me with narrowed eyes, infuriating confidence in every word. “She’ll make a fine wife.”

My stomach churns in disgust, anger and humiliation making me want to tear at my own flesh.

The rest of the meal is a dizzying blur. I catch phrases, low threats, sly comments—none of it registers as I fume, mind racing over Creed’s betrayal. How could he be in on this? How could he do this to Spencer?

Just then, a group of security men floods the room, earpieces in, radios crackling. One steps close to Antonio, whispering something in his ear, and his expression shifts instantly.

“What’s happening?” Enzo demands.

“I'm so sorry, Enzo,” Antonio says as he casts a glance at Creed. “Tell me, did you bring uninvited guests?”

Creed scoffs, smooth as ever. “I sent them on a nice wild goose chase. You really think I'd fuck up like that?”

“Axe,” I breathe, barely a whisper, but the flicker of hope is all I need. I turn, meeting Antonio’s stare head-on. “You’re all dead.”

“Shut your mouth, Victoria,” he snaps, glancing anxiously around.

“You have no idea what’s coming.”

Antonio’s composure breaks. His hand clamps down on my arm, dragging me to my feet.

“You’re a dead man. He’s going to kill you all.”

“What the hell is going on?” Enzo shouts, rising from his seat.

Antonio forces a calm smile. “Nothing but a small setback,” he assures. “Security will handle it. Please, enjoy your meal; let’s not let this minor inconvenience ruin our celebration.”

I thrash against his grip, feeling my heart race faster with every passing second. Axe is here. I know he’s close. “You’re all dead,” I snap, glaring at Enzo. “He’s lying to you.”

“Get her out of here!” Antonio roars. And then, the room plunges into total darkness.

I’m hauled forward, a guard’s painful grip pulling me out of the room, the cold metal of a gun pressing into my temple.

“Move.” The guard roughly shoves me forward, and I smile to myself.

Axe is here.