Chapter 2 - The Man Behind the Curtain
Julian reached the guest wing first.
He climbed the marble staircase two steps at a time while security officers moved through the lower halls.
Alex followed close behind.
The celebration below had collapsed into confused whispers, angry phone calls, and the clicking of cameras being hidden beneath coats.
At the top of the stairs, Julian pushed open the balcony doors.
Cold air rushed into the corridor.
The balcony was empty.
One of the curtains still moved.
A half-finished glass of champagne stood on the stone railing.
Beside it lay a black leather glove.
Alex touched the glass.
It was warm.
“He just left,” Julian said.
They searched the adjoining rooms.
The first was vacant.
The second held unopened wedding gifts.
The third connected to a service stairwell leading directly toward the rear parking court.
A security officer spoke into his radio.
“Black sedan exited through the vendor gate four minutes ago.”
Alex turned sharply.
“I ordered every gate closed.”
“The driver used an emergency authorization code.”
“Whose code?”
The officer hesitated.
“Yours.”
Downstairs, Genevieve stood inside the library with her father, Charles Prescott.
Charles was an elegant man with silver hair, a calm voice, and the expression of someone who considered every room his property.
Lucia sat near the fireplace with Sofi in her lap.
Genevieve paced in front of them.
“You allowed your child to destroy my wedding with a fantasy,” she said.
Lucia covered Sofi’s ears.
“My daughter does not lie.”
“Your daughter repeats whatever you teach her.”
“She is confused.”
Sofi pulled her mother’s hands away.
“I saw you kiss him.”
Genevieve’s composure cracked.
She stepped forward.
Charles caught her arm before she reached the child.
“Enough,” he said quietly.
Alex entered at that moment.
He noticed Genevieve’s raised hand.
He noticed Sofi shrinking against Lucia.
He also noticed Charles tightening his grip on his daughter’s wrist.
“What were you about to do?” Alex asked.
Genevieve lowered her arm.
“Nothing.”
“She called me a liar.”
“She is three.”
“And she just ruined my life.”
Alex crossed the room and positioned himself between Genevieve and the child.
“No.”
“If your life is ruined, Sofi did not ruin it.”
“She only opened the door.”
Julian entered with the black glove.
He placed it on the desk.
“We found this on the balcony.”
Charles glanced at the glove for less than a second.
It was enough.
Alex saw recognition.
“Do you know who owns it?” Alex asked.
Charles adjusted his cuff.
“Half the men in New York own black gloves.”
Sofi slipped from Lucia’s lap.
She approached the desk and touched the small metal clasp.
“He had two.”
“The other one is under Mr. Alex’s chair.”
Everyone looked toward Alex.
Sofi pointed to the walnut desk.
Alex pulled the chair back.
A second glove lay beneath it.
Inside the cuff, embroidered in silver thread, were two letters.
M.V.
Genevieve closed her eyes.
May you like
And Alex understood that Marcus Vane had not merely attended the wedding.
He had been hiding inside Alex’s private office while Alex stood at the altar.
