The casino was loud.
Too loud.
Music pulsed from hidden speakers, chips clattered against green felt tables, and the constant murmur of hundreds of voices filled the air.
Neon lights shimmered across polished marble floors. Tourists laughed. Dealers called bets.
And somewhere above it all, a man watched through a rifle scope.
Aiden Kane felt it before he saw it. That sharp, cold instinct trained into him over years of combat.
Something was wrong.
His eyes swept the room again.
Balcony.
Private lounge.
Upper corridor.
Then—
Movement.
Just for a second.
A shadow behind the glass railing of the VIP balcony.
Aiden's focus snapped into place.
"Allegra."
She didn't look at him.
"What?"
"We need to move."
Her voice stayed calm.
"I just got here."
He stepped slightly closer to her.
"Now."
Allegra finally turned her head.
"What's wrong?"
Aiden's gaze stayed locked on the balcony.
"Someone up there is watching you."
She followed his line of sight.
But by then the figure had disappeared.
"You're being paranoid."
Aiden didn't answer.
Because the next thing he saw was unmistakable.
The faint metallic glint of a rifle barrel.
Time slowed.
Aiden's voice dropped to a sharp whisper.
"Down."
Allegra frowned slightly.
"What—"
The shot cracked through the casino.
A thunderous sound that shattered the music and laughter in an instant.
Aiden moved before the echo even finished.
His arm wrapped around Allegra's waist as he drove her down to the marble floor.
The bullet slammed into the wall behind them, exploding glass and plaster across the room.
Screams erupted instantly.
Gamblers dove under tables.
Chips scattered across the floor.
Security guards shouted.
Another shot rang out.
Aiden twisted his body, covering Allegra completely as they hit the ground.
The second bullet shattered a chandelier above the blackjack tables.
Glass rained down like ice.
"Stay down," he ordered.
Allegra's heart pounded violently against her ribs.
For the first time since her father's death—
Real fear punched through her composure.
Aiden's body shielded hers completely.
Solid.
Immovable.
Professional.
"What the hell is happening?" she demanded.
"Sniper."
He lifted his head slightly, scanning the balcony.
The shooter was already moving.
Aiden saw the flash of black clothing disappearing through the upper hallway.
"Damn it."
He pushed himself up quickly and grabbed Allegra's arm.
"We're moving."
Security guards rushed toward them.
"Miss Di Sante!"
"Lock down the exits!" one of them shouted.
The casino floor had descended into chaos.
People shoved toward the doors.
Dealers abandoned tables.
Alarms began screaming through the building.
Aiden pulled Allegra toward a hallway behind the main floor.
"VIP room," he said.
"More cover."
They pushed through the door and into the private lounge.
The noise of the casino dulled slightly behind thick walls.
Allegra finally pulled her arm free.
Her eyes burned with anger now.
"You brought me here to be bait."
Aiden turned sharply.
"No."
"You knew this might happen."
"Yes."
"And you didn't stop it."
"I tried."
Their voices collided in the tense silence of the room.
For a moment neither of them spoke.
Then Allegra exhaled slowly.
"You were right."
Aiden studied her.
"About what?"
"Someone is trying to kill me."
Her voice was calm again.
But colder now.
More dangerous.
Aiden nodded once.
"Yes."
Allegra walked toward the window overlooking the casino floor.
Security guards were now flooding the building.
The sniper was long gone.
"Then we have a problem," she said quietly.
Aiden stepped closer.
"What problem?"
She turned to face him.
"The person who killed my father…"
Her eyes hardened.
"…just proved they're willing to try again."
Aiden didn't disagree.
Because whoever had pulled that trigger tonight—
Wasn't just testing their aim.
They were sending a message.
And Allegra Di Sante had just received it.