MASKED ALLEGIANCE

chapter 2

The loud crash of the microphone hitting the floor echoed through the entire ballroom. For a few seconds, nobody moved. The hundreds of wealthy guests stood in total silence, staring up at the stage in confusion.

Arthur Vance stood frozen, his chest rising and falling in fast, shallow breaths. Sweat broke out across his forehead despite the cool air conditioning of the room. He looked down at Victor with eyes wide with pure panic.

Security guards rushed toward the stage immediately.

Sir, is everything alright, the head guard asked, stepping up quickly beside Arthur.

Arthur could not speak. He pointed a shaking finger directly at the corner of the room where Victor had been standing just moments before. But when the security guards turned to look, the space was empty.

Victor had already melted back into the crowd.

He walked calmly toward the side exit, keeping his head down and blending smoothly with a group of caterers walking toward the kitchens. He pushed open the heavy service door and stepped out into the cool night air. The heavy rain had slowed down to a steady drizzle, washing over the dark streets of the city.

Victor pulled out his phone again. The screen lit up in the darkness.

He tapped the screen three times and dialed a secure number. The call connected after a single ring.

He saw me, Victor said, his voice low and steady. He knows I am back.

Good, a calm voice answered from the other end of the line. That was step one. Let him panic. Let him wonder every single second of every single day who is coming for him next.

Victor hung up without saying another word. He slipped the phone into his coat pocket and stepped out into the alleyway toward his waiting car.

He had waited five years for this moment. The game had finally begun, and Arthur Vance was already losing his mind.

Victor reached for the door handle of his black sedan, but before his fingers could touch the metal, a bright beam of headlights cut through the darkness from the end of the alley. A sleek black van sped around the corner, its tires screeching against the wet pavement as it drove straight toward him.