The Wedding Party

Part 29: A Bodyguard

The low hum of conversation filled the dimly lit bar as the groomsmen gathered around a small, round table near the back. The smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke hung in the air as they animatedly discussed how to spend their recently acquired fortune.

"Y'know," Killian said, leaning back in his chair with a devilish grin, "I've always wanted to drive a Lamborghini."

"Are you serious?" Kyan scoffed, taking a swig of his beer. "We could invest this money, start our own business or something."

"Where's the fun in that?" Ash chimed in, smirking. "I say we go all out. Vegas, baby!"

As the heated debate continued, the bar door creaked open, casting a brief sliver of light onto the worn wooden floor. Two men entered, their eyes scanning the room as their hands rested casually on the pistols holstered at their sides. The sight sent a jolt of fear through Preston, who locked eyes with Killian for a moment before bolting from his seat and sprinting towards the exit, the others following closely behind.

"Guys, we need to hide the money!" Preston panted once they were safely outside. "If those guys are after it, we can't let them find it."

"Angela, you're the most level-headed of us," Kyan suggested, thrusting the bag of cash into her hands. "Take it and hide it somewhere safe, okay?"

"O-okay," Angela stuttered, her hands trembling as she clutched the bag tightly to her chest. She glanced nervously around before disappearing into the woods, the shadows swallowing her up.

-----

Meanwhile, inside the manor, Olive stood before Rapheal, who had laid out his tarot cards on a small side table. His fingers danced over the cards, selecting one with a flourish. "The Tower," he announced, his voice soft and ominous. "This card represents betrayal... but also salvation."

"Who will betray me?" Olive asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

"A man who is close to you," Rapheal replied, his eyes dark and haunted. "But he will also be your savior."

-----

As Angela made her way through the woods, her breaths coming in short, panicked gasps, Preston stormed into the living room where Darrell was seated alone on a plush armchair. "You're sleeping with Yusuf!" he accused, his voice shaking with anger. "Why would you do that to Jairo? To Amelia?"

"Mind your own business, Preston," Darrell snapped, glaring at him.

-----

Helena, having caught up with Rapheal, handed him Cole's bracelet hesitantly. "I found this in my scrapbook. I don't know why it's there."

Rapheal's face paled as he examined the bracelet. Suddenly, his eyes rolled back, and he let out a guttural scream before bolting from the room, leaving Helena bewildered and concerned.

-----

Back at the bar, the two men with guns approached the counter, their steely eyes focused on the bartender. "We're looking for Killian Bruce," one of them growled, his grip tightening on his pistol.

"Wh-why?" the bartender stammered, fear evident in his voice.

"Let's just say we've got some... entertainment lined up for him," the other man replied with a sinister smile.