Chapter 74 *

Chapter 74 Chapter 74
Daniel’s POV
I chose the darkest corner of the banquet hall, where the chandelier's light barely reached.
My palms were sweating inside my gloves. I kept checking my watch—9:47 PM. He should be here any minute now. I just needed to complete the handoff and get out. No drama. No attention. Just in and out.
The envelope in my inner jacket pocket felt like it weighed a hundred pounds.
Don't think about what's inside, I told myself. Dad said not to ask questions. Just deliver it.
I scanned the cxrowd for the third time in five minutes. Businessmen in expensive suits. Women dripping in diamonds.
A man in a navy pinstripe suit caught my eye across the room. He touched his left cufflink twice—the signal.
My heart hammered against my ribs.
I made my way through the crowd, keeping my head down. When I reached him, I didn't make eye contact.
"Your father sends his regards," he said quietly.
"He misses the old days," I replied, completing the passphrase.
The man's hand moved so quickly I almost missed it. A small package appeared in my palm, and the envelope disappeared from my pocket in the same motion.
"The rest will be wired by Tuesday," he whispered. "Tell Victor we're square now. He doesn't contact me again."
I nodded. My mouth was too dry to speak.
He melted back into the crowd before I could blink.
It's done. We can leave.
I found Aria standing near the buffet table, looking completely out of place in her simple black dress. She'd been silent the entire ride here, and silent since we arrived. I didn't know what to make of her anymore.
"We're leaving," I said, keeping my voice low. "Now."
She didn't ask questions. Just followed me toward the exit.
My pulse was finally starting to slow down. We were almost at the main doors. Just fifty more feet. Forty. Thirty.
Please don't let us run into Cory. Please. Please.
Twenty feet.
"Well, well, well. Leaving so soon?"
The voice behind us made my blood turn to ice.
No. No, no, no.
I stopped walking. My legs felt like cement.
"Daniel Wu and his little pet," the voice continued. "Where's the fire, kid? Party's just getting started."
I turned around slowly, every muscle in my body rigid.
Cory Madsen stood fifteen feet away, surrounded by five of his men. I recognized most of them—street thugs trying to pass as legitimate businessmen. Their suits were cheap, poorly fitted. Tattoos crept up their necks and wrists—gang symbols they'd tried to hide with makeup and high collars. One guy had a silver chain so thick it looked like he'd robbed a jewelry store. Another wore rings on every finger.
They looked like what they were—criminals playing dress-up.
But Cory was different. Cory had money now. Real money. His suit was custom-tailored. His shoes were Italian leather, polished to a mirror shine. A Rolex glinted on his wrist, and a fat cigar smoldered between his fingers.
He looked like a mafia don from an old movie. All he was missing was the piano music.
His eyes swept over us like we were insects under a microscope.
"Not even gonna say hello to an old friend of your father's?" Cory's smile didn't reach his eyes.
My throat closed up. I couldn't speak even if I wanted to.
Across the room, conversations stopped. People turned to watch. But no one looked scared. No one looked surprised.
They're used to this, I realized. This is entertainment for them.
"Alpha," Trent spoke up from Cory's right side, pointing at me. "That's Victor's kid. I told you he was here."
Cory's smile widened. "I know exactly who he is, Trent. The question is—why didn't young Daniel here come pay his respects when he arrived?"
He took a long drag from his cigar, blowing smoke in our direction.
"Your old man and I go way back. We're old friends." The way he emphasized those last two words made my stomach churn.
I felt Aria's eyes on me, but I couldn't look at her. My face was burning. My hands were shaking.
Say something. Anything.
But my mouth wouldn't work.
"WHAT'S THE MATTER, KID?" Cory's voice jumped eight decibels, making me flinch. "CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE? OR DID VICTOR RAISE A SON WITH NO BALLS?"
My whole body trembled.
I turned my head slightly toward Aria, silently begging for help.
What do I do? What the hell do I do?
She stood perfectly still, her expression unreadable.
Cory's attention shifted to her. His eyes crawled over her body in a way that made my skin crawl.
"And who's this?" He stepped closer. "Your bodyguard? That's a pretty little thing to be playing security. Look at that face. That body. You sure she's here for protection, Danny boy? Or is she providing a different kind of service?"
Laughter rippled through his crew.
One of them wolf-whistled. "How much for an hour, sweetheart?"
"Bet she costs extra," another one jeered. "Premium merchandise."
"Think she does groups?" Trent asked, grinning.
More laughter. Cruder comments. Whistles and catcalls.
I waited for Aria to react. To say something cutting. To show the same fire she'd shown in every other situation.
But she just stood there.
Silent.
Why isn't she saying anything?
A terrible thought crossed my mind. Has she heard this so many times it doesn't even register anymore? Or is she too scared to react?
Either option made me sick.
"You guys are done," I said. My voice came out louder than I expected. "Enough."
Cory's eyebrows rose. "Excuse me?"
"Whatever issues you have with my father—fine. I get it. But leave her out of this." I gestured to Aria. "She's just a girl. How can you talk about someone like that? How can you say those things?"
The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
"She has nothing to do with whatever beef you have with my dad. So back off."
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Cory threw his head back and laughed. The sound was harsh, ugly. Up close, I could see every wrinkle on his face.
"Listen to this kid," he said, still chuckling. "Talking like he doesn't know whose territory he's standing in right now."
"Alpha, you want us to teach him some manners?" Trent cracked his knuckles.
"Fucking Gook," another one spat. "Think they own this city."
"Should've finished them off when we had the chance," a third muttered.
"Remember what they did to Luna?" Trent's voice turned vicious. "This punk's family killed her. We should make him pay for that."
"Yeah," someone else agreed. "Let's grab him. Use him as leverage against Victor. See how much Daddy's willing to trade for his precious son."
"Make him pay for Luna's death," Trent repeated. "Blood for blood."
The circle was tightening around us.
My face went from hot to cold. The room started spinning.
I turned to look at Aria again.
Please. Say something. Do something.
She didn't move.
Didn't speak.
Just stood there like a statue.
I turned back to her a second time, more desperately.
Aria. Come on.
Nothing.
My eyes must have looked wild.
We're going to die here.
Still nothing from her.
What the hell is she waiting for?