Page 80 of Inheritance

“I’ve been waiting for you to make your next move in chess,” I said, almost offhand. “It’s been your turn for a while now.”

He blinked, furrowing his brow. “No, no—it’s your turn.”

“Your king is in check. But if you’re offering to let me move twice in a row, I’ll take it.”

He laughed once. “Good. You’re learning. But next time, keep your advantages over others to yourself.”

The conversation trailed off to nowhere again, but he didn’t turn to leave. He stood next to me, and I felt his acceptance—just in the way he stood. His gaze drifted again to the ballroom, voice low but easier now.

“My wife loved nights like this.”

I looked at him, surprised.

“She’d smile, sip her wine, play the part. You know… what you’ve been doing.” He gave a faint shake of his head. “Sometimes I’d watch her from the balcony up there.”

Before I could look up, he took a half step back, eyes wide, staring up into nowhere. His brow twitched, mouth working like he was charging up to speak—but nothing came out.

“Are you alright?” I reached for him, in case he lost his balance.

He shoved me back—harder than I expected—and I hit the floor.

By the time I looked up, he was already moving. Half-running, half-hobbling. Unsteady but fast.

He tripped, collided with a servant carrying drinks.

The tray crashed to the floor with a loud metal clang, champagne fanning out in a glistening arc. Glass shattered.

Guests froze. Heads turned.

Gabriel was already pushing off the wall in the distance. He must have been watching us talk, but now he was reaching for his father, as confused and concerned as I was.

The Don scrambled to his feet like something younger, driven by wild need. His eyes lifted.

Then I saw what he saw.

A man stood there, on the balcony, arms raised, with a gun in his hands.

I didn’t even have time to scream.

The Don wrapped his arms around Gabriel, threw himself backwards while pivoting on his heel.

A gunshot cracked through the air.

They went down together.

Another shot rang out.

People screamed.

I covered my ears, heart in my throat, but I didn’t look away.

Gabriel hit the floor, the Don sprawled over him. People ran in every direction, stepping over, around, and on them as they lay motionless.

I pushed through the panicked horde, legs numb, breath gone. Just moving.

Another shot rang out.

I hunched down reflexively, then looked up.