Bloody Waltz

As Raul stepped back into the grand ballroom, the opulent chandeliers cast golden reflections across the gleaming marble floor. The music softened, signaling the shift to a more intimate moment. On stage, the host took his place, gripping the microphone with practiced elegance.

"Ladies and gentlemen," his voice echoed across the lavish hall, "it is now time for the most enchanting part of the evening... a grand couple's dance. Let the rhythm guide you into a night of passion and elegance!"

The orchestra began a slow, romantic waltz, and Raul's gaze instinctively sought out Valentina. He was about to make his way toward her when a voice, smooth yet sickeningly familiar, sliced through the murmur of the crowd.

"Ah, bellissima! How could I possibly let this night pass without the pleasure of your hand?" Emilio Moreno's voice dripped with honeyed arrogance as he smoothly stepped in front of Valentina, extending his hand toward her. "Dance with me, cara. I promise you'll find it... unforgettable."

Valentina's lips curved into a playful smirk. "Well, Mr. Moreno, you do make quite the offer," she mused, slipping her delicate hand into his, allowing herself to be led onto the dance floor.

Raul's entire body tensed, his fists clenching at his sides. A fire ignited within him as he watched Emilio pull Valentina close, his hands lingering inappropriately. A primal, territorial rage coursed through Raul's veins. Every fiber of his being screamed to rip Valentina away from that bastard, but before he could act, a soft, velvety voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Mr. Marc, would you care for a dance?"

Raul turned sharply, his intense expression softening as he met Laura's gentle yet confident gaze. Her delicate hand was extended toward him, an inviting smile gracing her lips.

For a brief moment, he hesitated, then, with practiced charm, he took her hand and bowed slightly. "Miss Angie, it would be my honor."

As they waltzed into the sea of swaying couples, Raul painted on a dazzling smile, his voice smooth and teasing, earning sweet laughter from Laura. He twirled her effortlessly, gaining her trust, making her feel at ease. But his mind… his heart… remained elsewhere. His eyes, burning with an unspoken fury, flickered toward Valentina every few moments.

She was in the enemy's hands.

Emilio held Valentina with an iron grip, his fingers grazing places they shouldn't. She endured it with a composed, unreadable expression, but Raul saw the stiffness in her posture, the way her fingers curled slightly as if suppressing the urge to strike.

And then Emilio grew bolder.

In the middle of the dance, he twirled her into a dramatic dip, bending over her, his lips dangerously close to hers. His breath ghosted over her skin as he murmured, "What if I steal a little taste of this forbidden fruit?"

A sharp whistle.

A bullet tore through the air, slicing between their faces before embedding itself into the wall behind them.

Chaos erupted.

Screams. Shattered glasses. Bodies shoving in every direction. Panic spread like wildfire.

Emilio stumbled back, his hand instinctively reaching for his concealed weapon. His eyes darted around the room, searching for the assassin. Nearby, Ricco Moreno's enraged roar echoed through the hall.

"No one moves! LOCK THE DOORS! SECURITY!"

The ballroom doors slammed shut, trapping everyone inside.

A body slumped to the ground. Blood seeped onto the pristine marble floor.

It wasn't Moreno. It wasn't Emilio.

It was one of their bodyguards.

Valentina, having regained her balance, elegantly lifted a champagne flute to her lips. A smirk tugged at the corner of her mouth as she surveyed the unfolding madness. "Oh," she chuckled softly, "things just got interesting."

Laura instinctively clung to Raul, her breath shallow with fear. Her heart pounded from the chaos which traumatized her. Raul was shook—not just from the gunfire, but from the realization that whoever had fired that shot had aimed for a double kill. One bullet, two targets.

Someone was here to take down both Moreno and his son.

And Valentina… she was enjoying every second of it.

In the midst of the panic, Raul instinctively moved toward Valentina, but her voice rang in his earpiece.

"Raul, keep her close. Win her heart. Protect her. I'm fine. I can handle myself."

Raul hesitated but obeyed. He turned back to Laura, who was trembling, hands covering her ears, eyes shut tight. Without thinking, he pulled her into his arms, shielding her from the madness unfolding around them.

Meanwhile, Emilio was already on the hunt. "FIND THEM! WHOEVER DID THIS, I WANT THEM IN FRONT OF ME NOW!"

Within moments, his guards dragged three men from the panicked crowd, forcing them to their knees in the center of the ballroom. The assassins, dressed as guests, struggled but were overpowered. Their eyes darted in fear as Emilio loomed over them, his fury unrestrained.

Ricco Moreno stepped forward, his expression dark. "Who sent you? Who is your boss? Speak, and I may grant you a merciful death."

The men said nothing.

Emilio chuckled, fingers twitching as he pulled out a sleek, heavy gun. "Wrong answer."

Without hesitation, he shot one of them in the leg. The man screamed, clutching his wound as blood pooled beneath him.

The crowd held their breath. Fear gripped the room like a noose tightening around their throats.

"Let's try this again." Emilio crouched, pressing the barrel against the second man's forehead. "Who. Sent. You?"

Silence.

Click.

BANG! The second man's body fell limp, lifeless, blood splattering across the pristine floor.

Laura whimpered, burying her face in Raul's chest. Raul tightened his hold on her, his jaw clenched. He had seen brutality before, but Emilio's sheer pleasure in torture disgusted him.

Valentina, however, remained still, her wine glass swirling in her hand. The crimson blood stained her dress, splattered across her cheek. But she didn't flinch. She didn't even blink. She simply stood there, her eyes closed, unfazed by the carnage around her.

Emilio turned to the last man, his patience thinning. "Still no words?"

The assassin's breathing grew erratic. He knew he was next.

Emilio exhaled, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "What a waste of bullets."

And with that, he unloaded the gun on him, shooting relentlessly. The sound of bullets echoed like a haunting melody through the ballroom.

The guests stood paralyzed. The walls, the floor, the very air was tainted with the metallic scent of blood.

Laura shuddered in Raul's arms, gripping onto his jacket as if he were the only safe place in this nightmare.

Emilio stood tall, wiping a speck of blood from his cheek. He raised his gun, pointing it at the ceiling as he fired a final shot, silencing the entire room.

"Whoever did this… will NOT survive."

His voice carried the weight of an unbreakable promise.

And as the dust settled, Valentina tilted her head, a knowing smirk playing on her lips.

"Oh, this game has only just begun."

...

Who was behind the attack?

Was Valentina involved?

And most importantly... who would survive the night?

The masquerade of deception had only just begun…

-End of Chapter 11-

To be Continued....