Chapter 3 - The File With Her Father's NameThe next morning, Gabriel gave Mara a private security detail.
She protested.
He ignored her.
“I don't need a bodyguard.”
“You do now.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“I know.”
“Then stop treating me like I'm fragile.”
He looked at her.
“I've never thought you were fragile.”
“Then what?”
“Important.”
The word silenced her.
Mara looked away.
She hadn't expected that.
Nobody had ever called her important.
Useful, yes.
Responsible.
Reliable.
Quiet.
But never important.
“Why?” she whispered.
Gabriel didn't answer.
He didn't know how.
Instead, he handed her a file.
Her hands went cold when she saw the name.
SAMUEL ELLIS.
Her father.
“What is this?”
“I had my people look.”
“You said you wouldn't investigate me.”
“I investigated the person threatening you.”
“That includes me?”
“It includes your past.”
She opened the file.
Photographs.
Old contracts.
A security badge.
Then she saw the last page.
A Ror Corporation letterhead.
She stared.
“My father worked for you.”
Gabriel nodded.
“Before he disappeared.”
“What was his job?”
“Security consultant.”
Mara's throat tightened.
“Why did he disappear?”
“I don't know.”
“Then find out.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“I intend to.”
She turned the page.
A payment authorization.
Samuel had received money from Ror Industries two months after his disappearance.
Mara stared.
“That’s impossible.”
“Maybe.”
“He was gone.”
“Yes.”
“Then who received it?”
Gabriel looked at the signature.
“Someone using his identity.”
Mara's face went pale.
“My father might have been alive.”
Gabriel said nothing.
They spent hours going through old records.
At noon, they found a hidden connection.
Victor Vale.
A former Ror attorney.
Mara recognized the name.
“He's the man whose firm handled Dad's case.”
Gabriel went still.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“What did he tell your mother?”
“That Dad stole company money.”
Gabriel clenched his jaw.
“And you believed it?”
“I was sixteen.”
She swallowed.
“I believed everyone.”
Gabriel looked at her.
“You shouldn't have had to.”
She met his eyes.
For a moment, the room became quiet.
Then Patrick's nurse entered.
“Mr. Ror?”
Gabriel turned.
“Your father wants Mara.”
Mara smiled.
“See?”
Gabriel shook his head.
“I'm losing control of my own house.”
“You never had it.”
He almost smiled.
That afternoon, Patrick had a setback.
His blood pressure dropped.
Mara handled it calmly.
Gabriel watched from the doorway.
She gave instructions.
Called the physician.
Adjusted the room.
Kept Patrick conscious.
After the danger passed, Gabriel found her in the hall.
“You were good.”
“I was doing my job.”
“You saved him.”
“I helped.”
“You always minimize everything you do?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“People don't like women who know their value.”
He stared.
“That isn't true.”
“It was in my experience.”
He stepped closer.
“Then your experience was wrong.”
Her eyes softened.
Before either could say anything else, the elevator opened.
A man stepped out.
Gabriel recognized him.
Victor Vale.
Older.
Elegant.
Smiling.
“Mara Ellis.”
She froze.
Victor looked at Gabriel.
“I came to see Patrick.”
“You weren't invited.”
Victor smiled.
“I used to work for this family.”
“Used to.”
Victor's eyes returned to Mara.
“I knew your father.”
Mara stepped forward.
“You know what happened to him?”
Victor smiled.
“I know more than you think.”
Gabriel's voice hardened.
“Leave.”
Victor ignored him.
“Your father wasn't a hero, Mara.”
She trembled.
“What are you talking about?”
“He betrayed everyone.”
Gabriel stepped between them.
“Enough.”
Victor smiled.
“You'll learn eventually.”
He turned to leave.
Gabriel grabbed his arm.
Victor looked down at the hand.
“Careful.”
Gabriel tightened his grip.
“I don't like threats.”
Victor smiled.
“Then you won't like the truth.”
He left.
Mara stood shaking.
Gabriel turned toward her.
“You okay?”
She nodded.
Then whispered:
“I don't know what to believe.”
Gabriel took her hand.
“You don't have to believe anyone.”
She looked at him.
“Not even you?”
“Especially not me.”
She smiled weakly.
“That's not very reassuring.”
“I know.”
He squeezed her hand.
“I'm going to find the truth.”
She held on.
“Then I'll find it with you.”
It was the first time either admitted they were in this together.
And somewhere across Chicago, Victor Vale made a phone call.
“She knows enough.”
A voice answered.
“Then the nurse becomes the next problem.”
Victor looked out the window.
“No.”
He smiled.
“She isn't a problem anymore.”
“What is she?”
May you like
Victor's answer was quiet.
“She is the key.”
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