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.

"We need to postpone the charity

"Everything is ready. The donors are confirmed. The hospital

2

Victoria said sharply. "She's armed. She's desperate. And she wants to

Camille replied, her

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

fell silent, the weight of Victoria's words hanging in the air. Camille moved back to the window, looking out at the city she'd helped rebuild after Rose's attacks. Her city now. "I won't hide," she said finally. "I won't cancel the gala

sound heavy with frustration. "This isn't about fear. It's about common

message," Camille insisted, turning to face her mentor. "If we cancel the gala, Rose wins. She'll know she can disrupt our

FBI might even provide protection if we tell then Victoria shook her head. "Too risky. Rose knows this event is important to Camille. She'll see it

said, surprising them

alarm

listen." Camille moved closer, her mind racing ahead. "Rose is unpredictable when she's hiding, when she can plan her attacks in secret. But if she comes to

bait," Alexander realized, his expression

eyes burned with determination. "We find her before she finds us. End this

garage, but someone new. Someone who had been forged in

Victoria insisted. "Rose has already tried to kill Herod. She won't hesitate

not Herod," Camille said quietly. "I've

Rose. I know exactly what she's capable

Camille's side. "If we do this, we do it my way. Every guest checked and rechecked. Security at every entrance. Plainclothes guards throughout the

entire night," Camille added, taking his

on your own."

"I wouldn't dream

Camille to face her enemies, to show strength instead of weakness. Now her

security plan. One that assumes Rose will find a way

"Already working

assured her. "I'll have

then focused on Camille. "You understand what

She's cornered. Desperate.

been."

"I understand," Camille

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

worry. "Just remember that not being afraid

we have security," Camille replied with a small