Chapter 4 . The Devil's Gala

Chapter 4 . The Devil's Gala

The plan was simple.

Natasha would attend the gala as a high-profile guest, schmoozing with the elite. Kai, on the other hand, would be playing the role of her personal waiter. The target? A man named Vincent Morello—a notorious arms dealer with deep ties to both the underground and several rogue heroes. He was the type of guy who smiled at you while slipping a knife between your ribs, the kind who owned a fleet of expensive cars but probably had a body count higher than his net worth.

Kai didn't like him already.

But right now? Right now, he was more concerned about the fact that he was wearing a freaking tuxedo vest and bowtie.

"This is humiliating," Kai muttered, adjusting the stupid little apron around his waist.

"Quit complaining," Natasha said beside him, her tone clipped and professional. She was dressed in a sleek, dark red gown, the kind that screamed dangerous but seductive. Her hair was pinned up, her makeup flawless, and for the first time since meeting her, Kai actually thought she looked… nice.

Not that he'd ever say it to her face. He liked his bones unbroken and would keep it that way.

"I'm just saying," Kai grumbled. "I was in a coma you know like a few hours ago, and now I'm holding a tray of champagne, about to walk into a den of criminals. Life is coming at me fast."

Natasha sighed, rubbing her temples. "Your job is simple. Stay close, keep your mouth shut, and don't get us killed."

"See, that last part is what concerns me."

Before she could respond, the limo slowed to a stop outside the venue.

Kai glanced out the window and immediately regretted everything.

The building was massive— a towering, gothic-style mansion surrounded by expensive cars, suited men, and guards who definitely looked like they'd kill someone for sport. The atmosphere was pure mafia movie, complete with a red carpet and rich people pretending they weren't criminals.

Natasha didn't hesitate. She stepped out of the car, instantly drawing the eyes of several attendees. Kai followed, tray in hand, doing his best to look like an ordinary server and not a very unwilling participant in a suicide mission.

The entrance hall was insane— chandeliers dripped with gold, a live orchestra played in the corner, and expensive wine flowed like water. The scent of cigar smoke and overpriced cologne filled the air.

Kai leaned in slightly. "This feels like the kind of party where people get murdered in the second act."

"Shut up and follow me," Natasha muttered, her eyes scanning the room.

They made their way through the crowd, Natasha exchanging polite nods and fake smiles while Kai trailed behind, doing his best to balance the tray without looking completely out of place.

Then, they reached the target.

Vincent Morello stood near the back of the room, flanked by two bodyguards who looked like they ate protein powder for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. He was a tall man in a pinstripe suit, dark hair slicked back, a permanent smirk on his face like he owned the whole damn world.

Natasha slid in effortlessly, her tone smooth and calculated. "Vincent, darling. It's been too long."

Vincent turned, his smirk widening. "Natasha Volkov. Now that's a surprise." His gaze flickered to Kai. "And you've brought… a waiter?"

Kai forced a professional smile. "Champagne, sir?"

Vincent chuckled. "I like him. Got that fear-in-his-eyes look. Means he's smart."

Kai did, in fact, have fear in his eyes. And yes he was smart, smart enough to know he was stupid to be here.

Natasha ignored the comment, taking a glass of wine from the tray before seamlessly slipping into a conversation. She was good— too good. She laughed at the right moments, feigned interest in Vincent's arrogant ramblings, and slowly but surely maneuvered the discussion toward the real reason they were here: his latest arms deal.

But then, things took a turn.

One of the bodyguards muttered something into his earpiece. Vincent's expression shifted slightly.

"Excuse me for a moment," he said, stepping away.

Kai let out a slow breath. "So, how we feeling? Is this going smoothly or are we about to die? I don't really know because I'm an idiot and my hand is killing me here."

Natasha's jaw tightened. "Something's wrong."

"Yeah, I got that part. Can we leave before the 'something wrong' becomes 'someone gets shot'?"

But before she could answer, gunfire erupted from the far side of the room.

People screamed. Glass shattered. Chaos exploded instantly.

And Kai? Kai immediately ducked behind a table, tray still in hand.

"What the hell is happening?!" he yelped.

Natasha was already moving, reaching for the another glass and downing it despite the unaccompany air. "It's a setup. Someone else is making a move on Morello."

"Great! Fantastic! I love this for us! The. I don't have to die." Kai was very serious about the not dieing part.

More guards stormed in, weapons drawn. Morello, now furious, barked orders while his men scrambled to protect him. Somewhere in the chaos, another group was moving in— not Morello's people. Another faction.

Kai peeked up from behind the table. "Okay, so do we… do we still need to talk to him or are we just bailing?"

Natasha cursed. "We need him alive."

"Cool, cool, cool. Love that. Love that we're prioritizing this instead of, you know, NOT DYING."

Before he could say anything else, a stray bullet whizzed past his head.

Kai screamed.

"OH MY GOD—NOPE. NOPE. NOT FOR ME."

He grabbed a random wine bottle and hurled it at a gunman, missing completely by a wide margin

Natasha, meanwhile, was actually useful—she fired two precise shots of silver spikes, dropping one of the attackers before lunging forward, disarming another.

Kai scrambled after her. "WHY DID I GET A TRAY AND YOU GOT MAGIC HANDS?! THIS SEEMS LIKE A SERIOUS OVERSIGHT!"

"Stay behind me," Natasha ordered.

"OH, YOU THINK?!"

Then, Morello grabbed Natasha by the wrist, yanking her close.

"You did this, didn't you?" he hissed.

She glared at him. "If I did, you'd already be dead."

Before Morello could respond, the main doors burst open, revealing a group of heavily armed men. Their leader, a sharp-dressed figure with a scar running down his cheek, stepped inside with a chilling smile.

"Well, well," he said, voice dripping with amusement. "Looks like I arrived just in time."

The room froze.

Even Morello men looked uneasy.

Kai took one look at the guy and immediately wanted to leave the country.

"Oh, I hate this," he whispered under his breath.

The man's eyes landed on Natasha. Then on Kai.

"...And who's this?"

Kai straightened his bowtie, trying to look professional despite very much wanting to pass out.

"I'm the waiter," he said weakly.

The man grinned.

"Not anymore."

And just like that, the stand-off began.

Kai swallowed hard.

"I really, REALLY should've stayed in that coma."