SCORNED EX WIFE Queen Of Ashes (Camille and Stefan)

Chapter 144

Camille stood at the window of her office, a cup of coffee cooling in her hands as she watched the city below. The Phoenix Grid had fully recovered from the bombings, with the repairs finished ahead of schedul Until Alexander Pierce walked in, his face grim.

"We need to talk," he said, closing the door behind him.

Something

in his voice made Camille's stomach tighten. She set down her coffee cup. "What happened?"

Alexander

loosened his tie, a gesture he only made when upset. "Herod Preston was shot three times in a motel room yesterday. He'd called the FBI to turn himself in, but before they got there, someone tried to kill him.” "Rose," Camille said immediately. It wasn't a question.

Alexander nodded. "The motel room was registered under her name. She escaped through the bathroom window. Police are still looking for her."

Camille sank into her chair, trying to process this news. "Is Preston dead?"

"No.

But it's close. He's in intensive care, heavily guarded." Alexander sat on the edge of her desk. "The FBI thinks Rose shot him to keep him from talking. He was about to tell them everything." "About her involvement in the bombings."

"Yes."

Camille stared at her hands, noticing they were perfectly steady despite the storm inside her. Three years ago, news of Rose's latest violence would have shaken her. Now it just confirmed what she already kne "So Rose is on the run," Camille said. "With the FBI hunting her."

"Yes. But that makes her more dangerous, not less." Alexander reached for Camille's hand. "She has nothing left to lose

now."

Before Camille could respond, the door opened again. Victoria Kane

swept in, her face pale but determined. Despite her recent surgery, she moved with purpose, though Camille noticed she leaned slightly on her cane.

"You've told her?" Victoria asked Alexander.

"Just now," he confirmed.

to Camille. "We need to postpone the charity

The donors are confirmed. The hospital

2

armed. She's desperate. And she wants to

destroy me," Camille replied, her voice steady. "That

is that she's shot a man three times and is now running from the FBI," Victoria countered. "She's crossed a line, Camille.

the window, looking out at the city she'd helped rebuild after Rose's attacks. Her city now. "I won't

"This isn't about fear.

mentor. "If we cancel the gala, Rose wins. She'll know she can disrupt our lives, make us run and hide, anytime she wants." "Better disrupted than dead," Victoria

plus Kane Industries security. The FBI might even provide protection

said, surprising them both.

Victoria began, alarm clear in

moved closer, her mind racing ahead. "Rose is unpredictable when she's hiding, when she can plan her attacks in

the gala as bait," Alexander

eyes burned with determination. "We find her before

at her adopted daughter, seeing not the broken woman she'd rescued from a parking garage, but someone new. Someone who had been forged

already tried to kill Herod. She won't hesitate

not Herod," Camille

Rose. I know exactly what she's capable

we do this, we do it my way. Every guest checked and rechecked. Security at every entrance.

you stay by my side the entire night," Camille

on your own."

"I wouldn't dream

enemies, to show strength instead of weakness. Now her student was putting those lessons into practice, despit

you're determined to do this, we'll need a detailed security plan. One that assumes Rose will find a way in no matter what we

"Already working

assured her. "I'll

then focused on Camille. "You understand what you're risking, yes? Rose isn't

She's cornered. Desperate.

been."

"I understand," Camille

voice soft but firm. "But I'm not the woman she tried to destroy in that parking garage. I'm not afraid of her

mixed with worry. "Just remember that not being afraid

have security," Camille replied with a small