Chapter 4 - The Bridesmaid Was Working for the Men Who Killed Her Father
They escaped through the loading dock minutes before the building partially collapsed.
Genevieve's mother survived.
But Harper disappeared.
That hurt more than Genevieve expected.
Harper had been beside her through every important moment.
At her engagement party.
At her father's funeral.
At the dress fitting.
At the wedding.
Even now, the thought of her smiling face made Genevieve feel sick.
"How could I have missed it?" she whispered.
Elias drove.
"You trusted her."
"I trusted Preston too."
"Those aren't the same thing."
"They feel the same."
He glanced at her.
"You didn't fail."
Genevieve looked out the window.
"Then why does it feel like I did?"
"Because betrayal makes people question themselves."
"You sound like you've experienced it."
"I have."
"Who?"
Elias was silent.
She turned toward him.
"The person who betrayed you."
"My brother."
She blinked.
"You have a brother?"
"Had."
"What happened?"
"He tried to kill me."
Genevieve didn't know what to say.
"Why?"
"Power."
He gave a humorless laugh.
"That's usually the answer."
Back at the Black Harbor Club, Genevieve's mother woke.
She looked at her daughter for a long time.
"I wanted to tell you."
"When?"
"When I was sure it was safe."
"It was never safe."
"I know."
Genevieve struggled to keep her voice calm.
"Was Dad involved in Elias's world?"
Her mother looked at him.
"More than you knew."
Elias stayed silent.
Her mother continued.
"Thomas helped Elias establish the Black Harbor Club."
Genevieve stared.
"What?"
"He didn't want to become like the other men."
"So my father helped build a mafia club?"
"He helped build neutral ground."
Her mother explained that Thomas had used legitimate shipping contacts to protect witnesses and move people away from dangerous factions.
"But then the Whitmores discovered what he was doing."
"They wanted control."
"Yes."
Genevieve paced the room.
"And Harper?"
Her mother looked down.
"Harper's father worked for Judge Whitmore."
Genevieve froze.
"What?"
"He died years ago."
"But Harper..."
"She was recruited after university."
Elias added quietly, "They used your friendship to monitor you."
Genevieve felt humiliated.
"Did they know I was going to run tonight?"
"No."
"Then how were they ready?"
Elias looked at her.
"They weren't."
A realization hit.
"They followed me."
"Exactly."
"Because they knew I'd come here."
"Someone inside your circle told them where to find you."
Genevieve looked at her mother.
"Who?"
Her mother shook her head.
"I don't know."
Elias stepped forward.
"We'll find out."
Her mother's eyes narrowed.
"You really intend to protect her."
"Yes."
"Even after what her family did to yours?"
Elias looked at Genevieve.
"Her family isn't responsible for what others chose to become."
Genevieve looked away because the warmth spreading through her chest was dangerous.
She could not afford feelings.
Not now.
But later that night, when she couldn't sleep, she found Elias in the club's quiet library.
He was reading Thomas's journal.
"Couldn't sleep?"
He looked up.
"No."
"Me either."
She sat across from him.
"Did my father trust you?"
"Yes."
"Do you trust me?"
He answered without hesitation.
"Yes."
She swallowed.
"Why?"
"Because you ran from a wedding rather than sign away your family."
"I ran because I was terrified."
"Courage isn't the absence of fear."
He closed the journal.
"It's what you do while you're afraid."
Genevieve looked at him.
"You make everything sound simple."
"It isn't."
"Then why do you look so calm?"
His smile was faint.
"Because I learned a long time ago that panic doesn't stop bullets."
She laughed.
A real laugh.
The first one in days.
He smiled too.
The moment stretched.
Then Genevieve realized how close he was.
She looked at his mouth.
He noticed.
Neither moved.
A phone rang.
The spell broke.
Elias answered.
"What?"
His expression changed.
"Where?"
He stood.
"Bring her here."
Genevieve frowned.
"Who is it?"
He stared at the doorway.
"Harper."
Ten minutes later, Harper entered under armed guard.
Her makeup was gone.
Her expensive dress was torn.
She looked terrified.
Genevieve stood.
"Why?"
Harper began crying.
"I never wanted this."
"You followed me."
"They threatened my brother."
"You helped them kill my father?"
"No!"
Harper dropped to her knees.
"I swear I didn't know they were going to kill him."
Genevieve's heart twisted.
"Then what did you know?"
Harper looked toward Elias.
"I was told to keep Genevieve close."
"Why?"
"So they could access the Hayes accounts."
Genevieve's face hardened.
"Who told you?"
Harper whispered:
"Your aunt Miriam."
Elias went completely still.
Genevieve stared.
"My aunt?"
Harper nodded.
"She has been working with the Whitmores for years."
May you like
Her voice broke.
"And she's the one who ordered the accident."
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