(Dante's POV)
A dozen assault rifles pointed at us. My men started moving their hands toward their jackets.
"Don't." If one of them drew a weapon, nobody in the gallery would walk out cleanly.
The Gendarmes disarmed my men and put them against the wall. Their commander issued clipped orders in French. I understood every word as he separated me from my weapons and my people.
They checked each holster, recorded each weapon, and kept a rifle on me while Aria stood untouched across the room.
Aria turned her back on me. She spoke to another officer and pointed out the shattered vase and torn check while I stood surrounded at the center of the room.
They spared me handcuffs to avoid an international incident. Officers still boxed me in and escorted me through the front doors while guests w
