The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 254

Chapter 254: Mathew Shaw's wife Chapter 254: Mathew Shaw's wife

The blood drained from Vivian's face as she realized he must have just revealed her presence to the gunmen. She watched in horror as the leader whipped around, glaring straight into the lens for a long moment before spinning and issuing what were clearly orders to his

crew.

Down in the lobby, sirens began wailing as a small fleet of armored SUVS screeched to a halt. The hotel's security forces were mobilizing, storming the building in full tactical gear. Vivian's breath caught in her throat as Mr. Levi cursed vehemently.

"We've got another wave of hostiles mobilizing toward the elevators and service entries!" He shouted hoarsely into his radio. "Full lockdown procedures, protect the client at all costs!"

Outside the viewing room door, Vivian could hear shouting and running footsteps as

additional security personnel hurried to set up a perimeter around them. Her hands began shaking, the weight of just how dangerous this situation truly was crashing over her. But she looked on as though nothing serious was happeninf

Back on the monitor, the invading gunmen seemed to be falling into disarray. Several began frantically milling about, shouting and gesturing while others stood shock-still. A new voice boomed out, one of the hotel's security chiefs by the looks of his uniform. "This is neutral territory under control of the Fabio family," he bellowed, clutching a bullhorn as his troops fanned out with weapons raised. "You'd best start talking before things get uglier."

The name Fabio was clearly one the gunmen recognized and reacted to. A visible shockwave passed through their ranks. Vivian frowned, her brow furrowing as she realized she must be dealing with some offshoot of mafia or organized crime.

The gunmen's leader looked momentarily thrown, whipping his head back and forth between his squad and the rapidly advancing wall of armed guards. He shouted something, a snarl of rage twisting his features as he gestured emphatically.

Several of his men shook their heads adamantly Vivian recognized the body language of people wanting out, the gravity of the situation becoming too hot to handle But the leader appeared to redouble his efforts, reassuring and imploring his crew with grandly sweeping motions of his arms, jabbing his finger back at the auction stage repeatedly.

At last, the bulk of the gunmen steeled themselves, visibly squaring their shoulders. They fanned out once more, forming a ring around the central auction stage as if preparing to use the priceless items as human shields.

this," the auctioneer wheezed, daring to step forward. "Do you idiots have any idea whose territory you've breached? Not

like a shockwave. The gunmen turned to stare back at the viewing room's camera in unison, looks of panic and horror washing over their

rifle and clearly ordering a hasty retreat. Without further ado, the gunmen broke formation and sprinted for the exits, shoving one another out of

start an all-out firefight. Within moments, the auction room was empty but for hotel guards sweeping the

finally let out the breath she had been holding, slumping back in her chair in relief. Mr. Levi dismissed the hotel's security detail with a

he temarked drily,

don't understand any of what I saw! It seems that she is being paraded somewhat. She wondered, why was she there? She understood the last tiem she went to see Madam Hou, but what about now? Something was not adding

against such raw violence once more. Perhaps being Mrs. Shaw was to parade her across the city. If it was just that, she could live with it. She got up, no more interested in the auction. She took some cake and had some wine as she

sat back in her plush viewing room chair, an uneasy feeling settling into the pit of her stomach.

nothing about the underworld of crime families and black market dealings she had been so abruptly thrown into, her instincts told her this violent raid hadn't been a typical occurrence. The way that auctioneer had so blatantly pointed out her presence to the gunmen, practically inviting the danger right to her...it felt deliberate. Like someone had wanted to put her on display as Mathew Shaw's wife. She eyed Mr. Levi skeptically as the older man

she asked him coolly, needing to regain

"But of course, Mrs. Shaw. All acquisitions processed and

254 Mathew Shaw's wie

specifications. My assistants will ensure they're delivered promptly

her ivory suit. The

door without another word.

lobby without issue, the staff dipping their heads deferentially despite the obvious disarray from the earlier crisis. Outside, Joe stood beside the idling sedan, holding

tension to bleed from her shoulders with a deep exhalation. She cut

seat.

be a name those gunmen recognized, caused quite a

road ahead. "They're an old, established Sicilian crime family. Been in operations across Europe and the States for decades now, runningafi legitimate businesses as a front. These days they keep a lower profile,

"Pretty typical rivals and allies with the Shaw family, depending on the particular business dealings. An unspoken code between