Chapter 146 It must hold
Dante's POV
It had to happen. This had to happen, whether I liked it or not.
I pushed myself up my feet and headed straight out, I had to ensure that we at least have a ballroom.
I stepped out, not bothering to disturb Nico as I knew he was already on an assignment.
I made my way down to our usual spot for the ball.
It looked exactly the way it had every year with its incredibly high ceilings and crystal chandeliers that caught even the slightest of lights.
Its long windows opened onto the well tamed garden. It felt too big and way too quiet as it was empty.
I walked the length of it alone, hearing the sound of my boots echoing on the polished marble clearly.
A few security men followed a few steps behind me, waiting for my orders.
“Cameras there,” I said, pointing to the corners. “Two more on the balcony doors and at any blind spot,” I added.
The head of security nodded and jotted it down. “They’ve been ordered already, they’ll be installed by next week,” he added.
I kept moving still. “Don’t forget the entrances and the main double doors stay open for arrivals,” I further instructed.
“Yes, boss,” he accepted.
“The side doors will be locked after the first hour. Valets get screened twice, once at the gate, and once at the car. No exceptions,” I added.
“Yes, sir. All have been put in the plan,” he said. “Metal detectors will be mounted at every entry point with bag checks for the women and wristbands for staff,” he added.
I stopped in the center of the floor and looked up.
The place could hold over a thousand people without feeling crowded.
A thousand different names, a thousand chances for someone to slip a knife through the door.
“Guest list,” I said. “The final headcount will be done by the end of week. Anyone who doesn't get an invite gets a call, something polite, professional. If they delay, they’re off the list.”
“Understood, sir,” he replied and I turned to the doors. “Outside too, put perimeter lights on motion sensors and snipers on the roof with two teams, rotating shifts and no gaps between.”
He wrote it down without another comment.
I stayed another hour, walking every inch of the room again, checking sight lines, and exits.
I checked up spots where the lights didn't really cover or where the camera didn't quite rotate to.
Every year it felt the same, like walking a business disguised as a party.
After checking through everything I could possibly check, I returned to my office and sat with Nico at my table.
We flung files open, stared at laptop screens for hours and scanned through the proposed guest list.
Sometimes, I actually wonder if I'd still have my sight at 60. My dad started losing his at 55!
“Romano sent a plus-one,” Nico said, tapping a name. “With no name attached.”
“Run it,” I said. “Do a full background check. If it’s Luca’s people, we block it.”
After a few minutes of typing through, Nico spoke again.
“It’s the same with the three new families from the east side. They’re small, but they’re hungry. Could be useful, could be trouble.”
I rubbed my temples. “We watch them close. No one gets near the family table without a good welcome,” I replied and I could tell he got it.
Nico nodded. “The catering fees have been proposed, the menus are being drafted and wine lists are running into millions,” he announced and I gulped.
The good thing is we make all this money back times ten in a month.
The ball brings crazy revenues asides the pass fee which stands at $500,000 per family head and $100,000 for each individual.
Partnerships and deals too can be sealed, it's way too important.
“The orchestra has been booked, the florist will be coming tomorrow for a walkthrough too,” Nico added.
I leaned back. “Good. Keep things tight, no leaks.”
He looked at me for a second longer than usual. “You okay?”
I didn’t answer right away. “I will be.”
He didn’t push, he just closed the laptop and stood.
“Get some rest, Don. Two weeks is enough time to turn this place into a fortress,” he announced before leaving.
I stayed at the table after he left, staring at the names, the dates, the empty ballroom layout printed out in front of me.
Every year I hosted this thing, every year I stood in that room and watched people smile while they calculated how much they could take from me, not knowing I was getting the most.
This year felt different, it felt heavier. Like the walls were listening. We can't use it against Luca, there are strict rules against fighting during that period.
But it could help us find the mole, many do come and make partnerships, broker deals or establish connections, it's a great place to network.
Whatever it was, it had to happen. I pushed the papers aside and stood.
Two weeks, and I had to make sure we survived them.
Serena’s POV
The text came while I had least expected it. I made my way over to it slowly, picking up the phone and staring at the screen like it might bite me.
The Unknown number.
“The ball must hold. No matter what. It’s the only way.”
I couldn't believe he was in support of it. Just a few days ago, he sounded like he actually cared about my mother, now this?
My thumb hovered over the reply button for a long time before I typed.
“Why? My mom is still missing. People are dying. Why would a party change anything?”
Its response came almost immediately.
“Because Luca will be there, he can't miss it. The ball is a neutral ground, no one moves against anyone else that night. It’s the one time he has to let his guard down. You want your mother back? That night is your window.”
I stared at the words until they blurred out, then I started typing again.
“You’re saying I should just smile and dance while my mom is somewhere suffering?”
I sent it and it responded a minute later.
“No, you should stand next to Dante and watch. Listen, notice who talks to Luca, who avoids him, who looks nervous. The ball isn’t about celebrating, it’s about seeing the board clearly. One night a year, everyone who matters is in the same room. He wants to find the mole? You want your mother? That’s where it happens.”
I typed back fast with my fingers shaking now.
“And if I say no? If I tell Dante to cancel?”
Its reply came pretty soon again.
“He won’t, he can’t. The tradition is older than him, canceling now would look like weakness. The families would smell blood. You’d lose more than your mother with that.”
I dropped the phone on the bed and buried my face in my hands.
I hated this. I hated that it made sense. I hated that I was actually considering it.
I sat there for a long time, breathing into my palms. Then I picked the phone up again.
“Fine. But if anything happens to my mom because of this ball, I’ll never forgive any of you.”
No reply came and I tossed the phone aside and stood with my legs feeling unsteady.
If this ball must happen, it must happen on my terms.