Chapter 10 - THE BLACK DRESS
The gala began at seven.
By seven-fifteen, I wanted to go home.
The Vescari Foundation event occupied the top floor of a luxury hotel overlooking Boston Harbor.
Politicians attended.
Business owners attended.
People who probably knew exactly what Dominic was and pretended they didn't attended.
I wore a black dress Evelyn had chosen.
Dominic wore a tuxedo.
When he saw me, he forgot what he was saying.
That was satisfying.
“You look…”
“Careful.”
His mouth curved.
“Dangerous.”
“Better.”
His hand settled lightly against my back as we entered.
Victor Vescari greeted us twenty minutes later.
He was elegant.
Silver-haired.
Warm smile.
The kind of man you would trust immediately.
Which made him terrifying.
“Claire Bennett.”
He kissed my hand.
“So this is the famous Good Samaritan.”
I forced a smile.
“I'm not famous.”
“You are tonight.”
His eyes remained on me one second too long.
Dominic noticed.
The trap unfolded exactly as Rafe predicted.
At 8:42, a waiter approached with champagne.
Dominic accepted one glass.
I watched Victor across the room.
He gave the smallest nod.
Dominic raised the glass.
Then handed it to Victor.
“You first.”
Victor smiled.
“I don't drink champagne.”
“Neither do I.”
The waiter disappeared.
Victor's smile weakened.
Plan one had failed.
Then the fire alarm sounded.
People moved toward the exits.
Security rushed into the ballroom.
Someone slammed into me.
A woman apologized and kept moving.
I felt something enter the pocket of my coat.
I reached inside.
A small glass vial.
My blood froze.
I showed Dominic.
“Don't touch it,” he said.
Too late.
Two Boston detectives entered the ballroom.
One walked directly toward me.
“Claire Bennett?”
Victor was already watching.
I understood.
The vial wasn't poison for Dominic anymore.
It was evidence against me.
The detective asked me to empty my pockets.
Dominic stepped between us.
“She doesn't answer questions without an attorney.”
Victor approached.
“What happened?”
His performance was perfect.
Then Evelyn appeared behind him.
She stared at Victor's right hand.
A gold ring.
Black stone.
Her face went white.
“I remember.”
Dominic turned.
Evelyn pointed at her brother-in-law.
“That ring.”
Her voice shook.
“The night I was robbed, I saw it inside the car.”
Victor's smile vanished.
May you like
And Evelyn finally remembered the face of the man who paid the teenagers.
It had been Victor himself.
