Page 104 of Code of Heart
Levi turned to the other situation unfolding on the dance floor. Gertrude, face beet red, was dangerously close to Judith.
“Who do you think you are, hussy? Just because your dusty bread box isn’t bringing anyone into your bakery doesn’t mean I have to live a life of chastity. Maybe if you had something tastier to offer, you wouldn’t be so jealous of me!”
Something soft but deliberate struck Levi’s shoulder. A dinner roll, which came from the direction of—
“You shut your whore mouth, Gladys!” Bertrand roared as he continued rifling through the scattered items, eyes savage as he seized a handful of grapes like they were grenades. “I’ve only got a few left,” he muttered to no one but himself.
The old man’s aim was so poor that Levi was again pelted with food instead of Gladys, the intended target. Levi and Owen both watched as Bertrand's toupee slithered down and over his face, blocking his vision. A moment later, the man panicked. “I’ll never surrender!” Bertrand cried, wrestling with his sliding toupee.
That was the precise moment everything descended into absolute chaos, the tipping point that would become forever emblazoned in Levi’s mind.
With a strangled shout, Bertrand collapsed onto his wig, thrashing like he was fighting a wild animal, shouting, “You will never capture me alive!”
At the same time, Judith shoved Gertrude, who fell backward into Ophelia. Ophelia slipped on a grape and went down hard with a loud crack right as Gertrude flung herself at Judith, tackling her to the ground.
“My hip! My hip!” Ophelia wailed.
The lights flickered on, illuminating the carnage.
It was so much worse with the lights on.
Levi pressed a hand to his forehead.I’m officially in hell.
Selene stormed in with security and police in tow, her expression thunderous.
An intimidating police officer approached them both. “Gentlemen, I take it you witnessed…whateverthisis?”
Levi sighed. “Unfortunately…I don’t think you are going to believe us, though.”
Owen nodded solemnly. “And if you don’t believe us, I’ve got the whole thing on video. I give it ten out of ten stars—easily the wildest thing I’ve seen in my entire life.”
The officer’s mouth twitched, but he waved them toward a nearby table.
As they sat down to give their statements, Levi glanced toward the crowd, searching again for the only person who mattered in all this anarchy. The situation only amplified the anxiety he already felt.
Levi prayed she would find him first.
It took three hours to interview witnesses and clear the area.
Levi’s exhaustion was bone-deep.
The police hadn’t allowed anyone to leave until they were satisfied they’d spoken to every guest. They prioritized those who needed medical attention first—especially anyone who’d taken illegal substances or managed to injure themselves in the melee.
Rubbing his temples, Levi tried to drown out Owen’s voice as he mused, “I’m honestly impressed Bertrand found the strength to flip a table. I expected this event to be filled with stiff socialites in overpriced suits, but this? Senior citizens high on ecstasy, brawling at a rave? Never saw that one coming.”
Owen let out a victorious laugh. “Told you someone was going to break a hip! And Bertrand? Worst case of fake survivor’s guilt I’ve ever seen.”
Levi grunted. He had forgotten about the infamous farewell party Eleanor hosted—the one Aurelia had told him about. Turns out, several of tonight’s guests had prior records from that fiasco. Now they were officially repeat offenders, and several had been arrested…again.
His headache pounded harder.
This night needed to end.
He had tried calling Aurelia multiple times. Either her phone was set to silent, or—worse—she was ignoring his calls.
No. Don’t think like that. There’s a logical explanation.
Right on cue, Charles approached, bearing the same level of exhaustion Levi felt.
