chapter 5

The applause from Antonio’s speech hadn’t even faded before a scream tore through the far end of the ballroom.

Lucy’s head whipped toward the sound, high-pitched, raw, terrified. Guests froze mid-clap. Another sound followed, sharp and violent, glass shattering under force.

Austin was on his feet before she could even blink. His hand closed around hers, warm and unyielding.

“Move. Now.”

Her heels scraped against the marble as he pulled her toward the side exit. “What’s happening?” she gasped, heart climbing into her throat.

“Phantom’s here,” he said, eyes scanning every corner with lethal precision. “And he’s not here for small talk.”

Shadows flickered beyond the tall windows. Lucy caught the glint of black masks and weapons. The glittering ballroom was no longer a place of champagne and speeches — it was a cage.

Her voice came out in a whisper. “Us?”

Another scream ripped the air. The lights above them flickered violently, then died, swallowing the room in darkness.

Austin’s voice was low but urgent. “If you value your future, you’ll come with me.”

He didn’t give her time to argue. The chaos behind them dulled as he yanked her into a narrow service hallway. The metallic tang of dust and old paint stung her nose.

“Where are we going?” she asked, breathless.

“If they find us, it’s over. Keep up.”. Safe room at the back,” he said, his tone flat but tight. “We have to move fast.”

They reached a narrow steel door. Austin shoved it open, guiding her inside with one firm hand at her back.

The room was barely lit, just enough for me to make out the jagged shadows dancing across the cracked wall.

Outside, boots crunched on gravel. Too close. Too many.

Austin’s hand shot out, pulling me into the corner, my back pressed against the cold concrete.

“Stay here,” he breathed, his voice so low it was almost swallowed by the dark.

“I’m not hiding while they”

His palm clamped over my mouth. Not hard. Firm. “Lucy… don’t.”

I could feel the heat of him, smell the faint mix of gunpowder and rain on his jacket.

The cool metal door chilled through the thin fabric of my dress. “Why is the Phantom here? What does he want?”

Austin checked the lock, then turned to face her. In the dim light, his eyes looked almost black.

“He wants leverage. And right now, that’s us.”

Her pulse spiked.

“You’re a Bennett. I’m a DiMarco,” he continued, stepping closer. “Together, we’re a loaded gun in this city’s power game. If he takes you, Lucy, the alliance between our families collapses, and the city burns with it.”

She swallowed hard. “Then why keep me in the dark? Why let me walk into this blind?”

His jaw tensed. “Because the truth puts you in more danger than ignorance ever could.”

A short, bitter laugh escaped her. “And yet here we are. In the dark. In danger. With people screaming outside.”

He stepped into her space, heat radiating from his body despite the cool air. “You think I don’t care? You think I wouldn’t bleed for you?”

“I think,” she said, her voice low but steady, “you’re too used to deciding for everyone else.”

They were inches apart now. His gaze held hers sharp, intense, almost too much to bear.

“You want the truth?” he asked.

“Yes.”

He moved closer until her back pressed into the wall, his shadow swallowing her whole. “The truth is, Lucy… you’re the only part of this marriage I can’t control. And that scares the hell out of me.”

Before she could breathe, a violent bang shook the door.

Austin pivoted instantly, gun already in his hand. “Stay behind me.”

The footsteps stopped.

Silence pressed against us. My heartbeat felt like it could be heard a mile away.

“You think I’m scared?” I whispered when he let me go.

“You should be.” His eyes locked on mine, and for a second, there was something in them, something almost soft, before the steel returned. “They’d have to kill me before I let them touch you.”

A door slammed somewhere outside. Men shouted.

“Austin”

The pounding grew louder. Another lock twisted under force.

“Austin…”

“Far side of the room. If they get in, you run and you don’t look back.”

The lock snapped. The door flew open, three masked men flooded in, moving with the precision of wolves on the hunt.

Austin fired. The first man dropped instantly. The second lunged. Austin caught him mid-swing, slammed him into the wall. The blade clattered to the floor.

Lucy’s scream caught in her throat as the third man seized her from behind, yanking her away from the wall.

“Austin!”

The cold press of a gun met her temple. The man’s masked face hovered inches from hers. His grip was iron.

“Drop it, DiMarco,” the intruder growled.

Austin’s stance didn’t waver. His eyes locked on Lucy’s unblinking, lethal.

“Don’t,” she whispered. “Please…”

The air between them was a live wire. Then

Clink.

Austin’s gun hit the floor.

The masked man’s chuckle was low and cruel. His grip crushed her wrist until her fingers went numb.

He leaned in close enough for her to see his eyes, pale, flat, and empty.

“The Phantom sends his regards.”

The gun’s barrel dug harder into her temple.

And Austin took one step forward.