Chapter 5 - The Gala at Blackwood
The storm hit Boston at dusk, hammering the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Blackwood Hotel ballroom with heavy, freezing rain.
Tonight was the annual Harbor Merchants Gala—the premier event where Boston’s high society, politicians, and syndicate bosses mingled under crystal chandeliers.
Nell no longer wore her gray maid's uniform.
Rafe had provided a stunning emerald-green silk evening gown that hugged her slender frame, paired with delicate gold earrings and her hair styled in an elegant updo. The transformation was so complete that when she stepped out of the black town car beside Rafe, several photographers’ flashes erupted along the red carpet.
“Keep your head up,” Rafe whispered as he offered her his arm. “Tonight, you’re not Arthur Whitaker’s hidden daughter. You’re my guest.”
As they entered the grand ballroom, a hush fell over the room.
Bruno Santoro, standing near the champagne tower with three city councilmen, nearly dropped his glass when he saw Nell entering on Rafe’s arm.
Teddy Vain, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, turned pale with fury.
“What the hell is she doing here?” Teddy muttered, marching toward them across the dance floor. “Rafe, have you lost your mind? Bringing a servant to the Merchants Gala?”
Rafe didn't even slow his pace. “Miss Whitaker is an honored guest tonight, Teddy. And considering her father was a senior partner in our firm for twelve years, her presence is entirely appropriate.”
“She’s a liability!” Teddy hissed, glaring at Nell.
“She’s the key,” Rafe replied smoothly, leaning in close to Teddy. “She brought me Arthur’s micro-ledger this afternoon.”
Teddy’s eyes widened in shock. “What?”
“She wanted protection for her brother,” Rafe lied effortlessly. “She traded the ledger for Toby’s safety. The financial codes for the Swiss accounts are on a chip inside her locket. Ezra is decoding them in the VIP suite upstairs right now.”
Teddy swallowed hard, his mind racing. The thirty million dollars he and Bruno intended to steal was sitting in those exact Swiss accounts. If Rafe decoded them first, their entire scheme was finished.
“Excuse me,” Teddy mumbled, stepping back and turning toward the grand staircase.
From across the room, Nell watched Teddy scurry toward the elevators. She looked at Rafe, her fingers light against his sleeve.
“He took the bait,” she murmured.
“Ezra is waiting in Suite 704,” Rafe said softly, his dark eyes watching Teddy’s every move in the mirrored walls. “The room is bugged, and two federal prosecutors are sitting in the adjoining room with federal agents.”
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“Will it finally be over tonight?” Nell asked, looking up at him.
Rafe looked down at her, his expression softening in a way no one in Boston had ever seen. “Tonight, Nell, you get your name back.”
