A wave of whispers rushed through the guests.
Before anyone could figure out what was happening, the men reached into their pockets and pulled out black batons.
With a cold flick of their wrists—
Snap!
The sticks shot out, long and solid.
The sharp metallic sound seemed to pierce the air.
Joseph’s eyes bulged in horror.
Violet shook her head over and over, scrambling backward on her knees, her dress twisting around her legs.
“Please… please don’t…”
Crack!
The first strike landed across her shoulder.
A scream ripped out of her throat, high and raw.
Crack!
Another hit Joseph’s arm. He cried out, instantly curling over, both hands flying to protect his head.
Crack!
Curtis tried to roll away, but a baton slammed into his back, forcing the air from his lungs.
Blows rained down from every direction.
Wood smashed into flesh.
Arms. Legs. Ribs.
Joseph trembled, shrinking into himself. Curtis choked, gasping for breath. Violet sobbed and begged, her hair falling wildly into her tear-streaked face.
Their cries overlapped, desperate and broken, echoing across the hall.
Moments later, Magnus walked in with Sophia.
His arm was wrapped tightly around her shoulders, pulling her so close she was almost hidden inside his body. His fingerspressed into her arm possessively, his face hard, eyes fixed straight ahead.
Sophia stayed quiet in his hold, her hand clutching the front of his shirt.
When they looked toward the center of the room, Joseph and Violet were on their knees.
Magnus’s men surrounded them.
Fists kept crashing down without pause. The sound of punches landing, bones cracking, and painful groans filled the air.
Timothy stood beside them with his arms crossed over his chest. His face was blank, but his eyes were cruel, satisfied, as he watched the beating continue.
Joseph was already bleeding. His hair was a mess, lips split, one eye swollen. Violet cried beside him, shaking, trying to shield herself, but no one stopped.
The moment Joseph saw Magnus and Sophia coming down the stairs, terror exploded across his face.
