Chapter 3 - The Secret Her Father Died Trying to ProtectThe attack at the warehouse became the first crack in Adrian Romano’s carefully controlled world.
Nobody had known about the archive except Adrian, Marco, and two trusted security officers.
Yet someone had arrived within minutes.
Someone knew exactly which box to destroy.
Someone wanted Jonathan Carter’s history erased.
Adrian spent the next two days turning Romano Group inside out.
He ordered background checks on employees.
He locked down every archived financial system.
He interrogated old family associates.
He even called three retired detectives who had worked with his father.
All three gave him the same answer.
“Jonathan Carter knew something.”
None of them knew what.
Meanwhile, Simone continued working.
That was the part Adrian found unbearable.
She came in at eight.
Answered calls.
Prepared meetings.
Reviewed contracts.
And behaved as though the world had not changed.
On Thursday morning, Adrian finally confronted her.
“Your father was involved with mine.”
Simone froze.
“Who told you?”
“I found records.”
Her expression became guarded.
“What records?”
“Photographs.”
“That doesn't mean anything.”
“He was investigating missing Romano money.”
She said nothing.
“Two hundred million dollars.”
Her face lost color.
Adrian stepped closer.
“You knew.”
“My mother knew.”
“You didn't?”
“I knew there had been some dispute.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because it wasn't my secret to tell.”
He stared.
“Your father disappeared.”
“Yes.”
“You believe he was murdered?”
She looked away.
“I believe the people who wanted him silent were powerful enough to make everyone believe whatever they wanted.”
Adrian's jaw tightened.
“Your mother knows where he is?”
“She thinks he's dead.”
“Thinks?”
“She hasn't spoken about him in years.”
Adrian reached for his phone.
“Where is she?”
“Why?”
“Because I found evidence that someone is hunting you.”
Simone went still.
“What evidence?”
“The warehouse attack.”
She took a breath.
“Adrian…”
“It wasn't random.”
“How do you know?”
“Your father's name was in the archive.”
She stared at him.
Then her voice softened.
“You were never supposed to find that.”
“What does that mean?”
“My mother spent twenty years making sure I stayed away from your family.”
“Why?”
“Because she believed your family would eventually come looking.”
Adrian’s expression hardened.
“They're coming now.”
A knock sounded.
Marco entered.
“Boss.”
Adrian turned.
“What?”
“We have a problem.”
Marco looked at Simone.
“Your mother is missing.”
Everything inside Simone seemed to stop.
“What?”
“Her neighbor found the front door open.”
“When?”
“Last night.”
Simone grabbed her bag.
“I’m going to Pennsylvania.”
“No.”
She glared at Adrian.
“You don't get to tell me what to do.”
“I’m coming.”
“I don't need you.”
“This isn't about what you need.”
His voice was low.
“It's about whether whoever took your mother expects you to come alone.”
She hated that he was right.
Two hours later, Adrian’s private jet landed outside Harrisburg.
Daniel Hayes was waiting at the hangar.
Adrian stopped.
Simone hurried toward him.
“Daniel.”
He pulled her into a brief embrace.
“Are you okay?”
“Not really.”
Daniel looked at Adrian.
Adrian nodded once.
Daniel nodded back.
“Her mother's house has been searched.”
“By police?”
“By someone who didn't leave a warrant.”
Adrian's eyes sharpened.
“You were here already?”
“I drove down last night.”
“You knew?”
Daniel looked at Simone.
“She called me.”
Something dark flashed through Adrian.
“He knew before you did,” he said.
Simone turned.
“Daniel has been helping me for years.”
Adrian swallowed whatever argument he had.
The three of them drove to Jonathan Carter's old property.
The house stood on a wooded road.
The windows were intact.
The front door was locked.
Inside, everything had been disturbed.
Drawers open.
Files scattered.
A broken lamp.
A painting cut from its frame.
Simone walked into the kitchen.
On the table was a single envelope.
Her name was written across it.
SIMONE.
Her hands shook.
Adrian took the envelope.
“Don't.”
She stopped him.
“My mother wrote it.”
He opened it carefully.
Inside was a single letter.
My daughter,
If you're reading this, then they finally found us.
Do not trust anyone who tells you Jonathan Carter died.
Simone covered her mouth.
Adrian continued.
Your father survived.
And the reason they came for him twenty years ago was not the money.
It was you.
Adrian looked at Simone.
She couldn't breathe.
The letter continued.
You were born with something they believed belonged to the Romano family.
Your father hid it before they came.
The key is still with you.
Simone touched her necklace.
It was an old silver pendant.
A gift from her mother when she was twelve.
Adrian saw it.
“What is that?”
“My mother gave it to me.”
“Open it.”
Simone frowned.
“It doesn't open.”
Adrian examined it.
“There.”
A tiny seam.
He pressed.
The pendant clicked open.
Inside was a microfilm strip.
Marco stared.
“What the hell?”
Adrian took it carefully.
Then footsteps sounded outside.
Everyone froze.
Daniel moved toward Simone.
Adrian drew his gun.
The front window shattered.
A bullet tore through the wall.
Adrian grabbed Simone and pushed her behind the kitchen island.
Another shot.
Daniel returned fire.
Marco shouted instructions.
The attackers retreated within seconds.
Outside, tires screamed away.
Marco ran to the road.
He returned with a small black card.
Adrian recognized it immediately.
A Romano access card.
Simone looked at him.
“What does that mean?”
Adrian stared at the card.
“It means the person hunting you has access to my family.”
That night, they hid in a safe property owned by Romano Group.
Simone sat by the window.
Adrian stood across the room.
“You need to leave New York.”
She shook her head.
“I’m not running.”
“They will kill you.”
“My father didn't run.”
“You have no idea what your father did.”
“I know he protected me.”
Adrian watched her.
“You don't belong in this world.”
She laughed bitterly.
“Neither did you, according to every article I've ever read.”
He had no answer.
She looked at him.
“Why are you helping me?”
Adrian stepped closer.
“Because I should have protected you before I knew I needed to.”
Her eyes softened.
The distance between them changed.
Then the door opened.
Daniel walked in.
Simone stood.
“What happened?”
Daniel held up his phone.
“I found something.”
He turned the screen toward them.
A recent photograph.
A man standing outside a private clinic.
Older.
Gray hair.
Tired eyes.
Simone gasped.
It was her father.
Alive.
Adrian stared at the photograph.
Then at Daniel.
“Where?”
“Montreal.”
Simone’s eyes filled with tears.
May you like
Adrian reached for her hand.
This time, she let him.
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