Today was the day.

It was a picturesque late Saturday afternoon as the skies turned from the baby blues to the teasing and charming light pink- a perfect sight from the dorm window as Logan and I were getting dressed in our custom-designed suits that were arranged by Dr. St. Pierre, a saint of a man whom I couldn't ask for a godfather- in many ways. Logan looked like a sex god incarnate from the comic books in his bright-red Dior with a white dress shirt and I didn't look too bad in my all-navy Givenchy that was bedazzled in mini Swarovski crystals.

And after spending the day with the Guerro twins' aunt and uncle, Ms. Whitfield, Officer Talbot and his wife, Sellers, and Valenzia with their families, and each other at a local diner; I felt a bit more at ease with performing tonight as well as facing down the inevitable. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that Braeden had more than death up his sleeve to get me to crack. But I wasn't going to let him deter me from owning the stage and working the floor.

"Hey," Logan said as I fixed my bow tie. "You're nervous for tonight?"

"Not, though I am keeping my eyes and mind sharp when it comes to Satillo," I replied, finally satisfied with how my tie looked. "With the cops surrounding the place, it makes the ball feel like the Met Gala after September 11th. But I'm not worried about that, not when I know that what you and Sellers said last night gave me the courage that I needed to make sure that I go through with this."

Logan faced me, placing one arm on my shoulder. "You got this, babe," he said determinedly. "You coming here and allowing yourself to be free is the one thing that made your journey a lot easier. And not only that, but I also gained someone who I can mentor and be a close friend, boyfriend, and soon-to-be husband."

"I'm glad that I decided to open up as well," I agreed. "And besides, if I do survive the night-"

"When you survive the night," Logan corrected me. "When you do, we'll be dancing on the rooftop to the nighttime symphonies."

I nodded. "But- and hear me out on this," I said, noticing Logan's frown starting to appear. "If there is a chance that one or both of us don't make it alive, then I can go to my afterlife knowing that it was all worth it- being your boyfriend and fiance for however long we shared."

He nodded. "Then I want to make tonight extra special," he said, unzipping my pants. "And this is a little something to remind you of what I plan for our wedding night."

"Wait, right now?" I exclaimed, noticing him palming and caressing my brief-clad erection. "Wait, Logan. I-"

"Don't worry," he crooned seductively. "I won't ruin this tux or get any scent on you. I intend to swallow every. Single. Drop."

Let's just say that the next five minutes were perfectly spent getting us hyped up for tonight. Everyone was ready.

The question was, however, whether or not Braeden was.

*****************

Braeden's POV

Nicely-fitted tuxedo? Check.

Custom-made and designed daggered laced with jewels on the handle? Check.

Two pistols- one from my fathers and the other that I swiped from an old guy's house with extra bullets? Check.

Chloroform and rag? Check.

Two hand grenades? Check.

My body all glowing from a shower and mini-spa? Check.

I stared at the mirror, my reflection depicting my ultimate homme-fatale that was dressed to kill with a nearby Venetian mask, a red wig, and a fedora on the bed. It was a blessing for my newly-discovered benefactors coming aboard to help me enact my revenge on Wendell Harding and his troop of losers. And with them on board and hating him as much as I do, tonight was going to be extra special.

And I admit that I did NOT see them coming, not when I thought that- well, that's neither here nor there at the moment. The main point was all about disposing of the garbage that was Wendell and getting my man back. And if all else fails, I could easily cause the biggest bloodbath and still come out on top.

I reached for my flask of vodka, making a mock toast. "Here's to a Fourth of July weekend that no one will ever forget," I said. "Here's to finally snatching the crown and getting what is rightfully mine."

I was ready for tonight.

The question, however, was simple: were they?

There's only one way to find out. It was time to head out to the party.

The cards have been dealt and the stakes are called! The perfect storm is coming up next as the 4th of July Ball is underway! You better get ready to see how it all goes down! And just so you know, I do not regret posting the steamy/fade-to-black moment between Wendell and Logan! It felt right and I have no regrets!

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