Chapter 2 - The Warning Under My Door
Adriano arrived at Clara's apartment in less than fifteen minutes.
She hadn't expected him to come himself.
Yet when she opened the door, he stood there in a dark coat, rain on his shoulders, his expression controlled.
Two men waited beside the elevator.
Clara stepped back.
He entered.
"Where is the note?"
She handed it over.
He read it once.
Then twice.
His face became unreadable.
"Did anyone follow you?"
"No."
"Did you see anyone outside?"
"No."
"Anyone at the gala?"
"I don't know."
"Did Martin Hail touch you?"
Clara frowned.
"He almost did."
"Did he threaten you?"
"Not directly."
Adriano looked around the apartment.
"Who else knows where you live?"
"My mother."
"Anyone at work?"
"Probably."
"Friends?"
"One."
"Name?"
"Why?"
He looked at her.
"Because someone knew exactly which apartment to leave this under."
Clara crossed her arms.
"You said you'd make sure they didn't follow me."
"I did."
"Then stop acting like I'm stupid."
His eyes softened slightly.
"You're not stupid."
"Good."
"You're in danger."
She laughed bitterly.
"That is becoming my favorite sentence tonight."
Adriano walked to the window.
He examined the street below.
"What happened at work today?"
"Nothing unusual."
"Think."
Clara frowned.
"Martin had a meeting with some clients."
"Who?"
She gave him the names.
Adriano's expression changed at the last one.
"Landon Price."
"Yes."
"You know him?"
"Unfortunately."
"Why?"
"He owes me money."
She stared.
"Why would my boss be meeting him?"
"That is exactly what I want to know."
Clara paced.
"I've been Martin's secretary for three years. I've never seen him afraid of anyone."
"He's afraid now."
"Of you?"
"Perhaps."
She stopped.
"Why?"
Adriano looked at her.
"Because you chose me."
"You keep saying that as though it matters."
"It does."
"Why?"
He took a breath.
"Martin Hail has been trying to enter my territory for six months."
"Territory?"
"Investments. Construction. Shipping."
"Legal businesses."
"Mostly."
She looked away.
"What does Martin want?"
"Control."
"Of what?"
"Everything."
She considered the answer.
Then she looked at him.
"Why did he ask me to choose someone?"
Adriano didn't answer immediately.
"Because he wanted to embarrass you."
"I know."
"No."
His voice sharpened.
"He wanted to see who you would choose."
Clara's stomach tightened.
"Why?"
"Because there are rumors."
"What rumors?"
"That someone inside Hail Capital is leaking information."
She stared.
"And he thought it was me?"
"Maybe."
"Why would he think that?"
"Because you're the one person in his office who sees everything."
Clara's mind raced.
Passwords.
Schedules.
Private meetings.
Contracts.
Financial spreadsheets.
She knew where every executive would be three days ahead.
She knew which clients were fighting.
She knew which accounts were losing money.
She knew which executives had access to which files.
"And you think I'm a spy?"
"No."
"Then what?"
"I think someone thinks you are."
He stepped closer.
"That's more dangerous."
A soft knock sounded.
One of Adriano's men entered.
"Boss."
Adriano nodded.
"What?"
"We found a camera across the street."
Clara's blood ran cold.
"Camera?"
"Long-range. Hidden in a ventilation housing."
Adriano's expression became ice.
"When?"
"Unknown."
"Remove it."
"Already done."
Clara stared.
"How long?"
"We're still checking."
The man left.
Clara sat down.
"This is insane."
Adriano remained standing.
"You can leave the city tonight."
"What?"
"I can arrange a flight."
"I'm not running."
"It's not running."
"It feels like running."
He looked at her.
"You don't understand the kind of men you're dealing with."
"Then explain."
"I don't want you near this."
Clara stood.
"That's not your decision."
A pause.
Then Adriano nodded.
"You're right."
She hadn't expected that.
He reached into his coat.
A small folder.
He placed it on her table.
"Tomorrow morning, resign."
She stared.
"No."
"Clara."
"No."
"This company isn't worth your life."
"My job is not disposable."
"Neither are you."
She looked at him.
"What exactly are you offering?"
"Protection."
"In exchange for what?"
"Nothing."
She narrowed her eyes.
"Everyone wants something."
"I want you alive."
"That's still something."
He looked at her for a long time.
Then he said quietly,
"I want you to trust that I won't use this situation to control you."
Clara's heart moved strangely.
"Why?"
"Because I know what it's like when someone powerful makes choices for you."
"Who did that to you?"
"My father."
She said nothing.
He turned toward the door.
"Lock your windows."
"Adriano."
He stopped.
"Why did you walk over to me tonight?"
"I told you."
"No."
His gaze met hers.
"Tell me the real reason."
Clara hesitated.
"Because you were the only person in the room who seemed to notice the waiter was embarrassed."
He studied her.
"You notice people."
"Yes."
"That's why Hail is afraid of you."
"What does that mean?"
"It means you see things you're not supposed to see."
He left.
Clara barely slept.
The next morning, she arrived at Hail Capital at eight.
Martin was already waiting.
His office door was open.
"Clara."
She stopped.
"Come in."
She entered.
He closed the door.
"You caused quite a scene."
"I didn't."
"You pointed at Moretti."
"You told me to choose anyone."
"I expected you to choose someone normal."
Clara stared.
"Normal?"
"A banker. A lawyer. Someone useful."
"I didn't know there was a correct answer."
Martin sat down.
"Why him?"
"Because I wanted to."
His smile disappeared.
"Don't play games."
"I'm not."
He stood.
"You have no idea what you've just done."
Clara felt a chill.
"Explain."
Martin walked to the window.
"Moretti doesn't court women."
"I'm not a woman he needs to court."
His jaw tightened.
"That's exactly what worries me."
Before Clara could answer, his phone rang.
He looked at the screen.
Then at her.
"Go back to your desk."
She left.
At 10:14, her email stopped working.
At 10:17, her building badge stopped working.
At 10:22, security escorted her away from her desk.
Clara stood in the lobby holding a box with her personal belongings.
Her career was over.
She called Martin.
No answer.
Then her phone rang.
Adriano.
"Where are you?"
"Fired."
Silence.
Then, very quietly, he said,
"Stay where you are."
Twenty minutes later, the black sedan appeared.
Adriano stepped out.
He looked at the box in Clara's arms.
Then at the Hail Capital building.
His face became terrifyingly calm.
"Who fired you?"
"Martin."
"He signed it?"
"Yes."
"Did he give a reason?"
"Security threat."
Adriano looked back at the building.
"He just made the worst decision of his life."
Clara tightened her grip on the box.
"Don't ruin him because of me."
Adriano looked at her.
"I'm not doing it because of you."
"Then why?"
"Because Martin just told every enemy we have that you're important."
Clara swallowed.
"And I am?"
May you like
His eyes held hers.
"More than you know."
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