Chapter 3 - The Mafia Boss's Unexpected ChoiceAndrew Callahan was halfway through reviewing security footage when his phone rang.
The caller was Nuler.
He answered immediately.
"Where are you?"
Her breathing was frantic.
"Someone broke into my apartment."
Andrew stood.
"Are you hurt?"
"No. But my father—"
A crash sounded through the phone.
Then Nuler screamed.
Andrew was already reaching for his coat.
"Listen carefully. Get outside. Don't stop for anything."
"They're looking for me!"
"Who?"
"Declan's men."
Andrew froze.
"How do you know?"
"My father recognized them."
"Where are you?"
"Behind the building."
"Stay on the line."
Andrew called his security chief, Michael Reeves, using another phone.
"Take two men and get to Mercer Street. Now."
Then he rushed toward the garage.
Nuler emerged from the rear stairwell into freezing rain.
She heard footsteps behind her.
"Stop!"
She ran between parked cars.
A man grabbed her coat.
The fabric tore as she twisted free.
She stumbled into the street.
Headlights exploded across her vision.
A black sedan stopped inches away.
The driver's door opened.
Andrew stepped out.
"Get in."
Nuler stared.
"Mr. Callahan?"
"Now!"
He caught the approaching attacker by the wrist and drove him against the hood of a parked vehicle.
The second man reached beneath his jacket.
Andrew drew his gun.
"Don't."
The man stopped.
Andrew kept his weapon trained on him while Nuler climbed into the sedan.
Then he backed toward the driver's door.
"Tell Declan," he said, "that if he wants something from my house, he comes to me."
They sped away.
For several minutes, neither spoke.
Nuler stared at the blood on her hands.
Andrew glanced at her.
"Are you injured?"
"No."
"Whose blood?"
"I don't know."
He slowed at an intersection.
"Your father?"
Nuler's eyes filled.
"They took him."
Andrew tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
"I'll find him."
"Why would you help me?"
"Because somebody used my name to attack an employee."
"That's not the only reason."
Andrew looked at her.
She reached into her coat and removed the old photograph Thomas had shown her.
Andrew's expression changed.
"Where did you get that?"
"My father."
He pulled into an empty parking lot.
"Nuler—"
"My name is Eleanor Vale."
Silence filled the car.
Andrew looked at the photograph.
Then at her scar.
"I know."
She swallowed.
"Did your father kill my mother?"
Andrew's expression hardened.
"My father was murdered the same night your mother disappeared."
"Then why did everyone say she betrayed him?"
"Because Victor Hayes controlled the investigation."
Nuler stared at him.
"Declan's father."
Andrew nodded.
"Victor convinced my family that Margaret Vale stole money and betrayed us. I believed that story for twenty years."
"Do you still believe it?"
Andrew looked at her.
"No."
"Why?"
"Because somebody just sent armed men to take you."
Nuler pressed her forehead against the window.
"My father is all I have."
Andrew's voice softened.
"Then we'll bring him home."
She turned.
"Why should I trust you?"
He considered the question.
Then he placed his gun on the center console, away from his hand.
"You shouldn't trust me because I'm powerful. You should trust me only when I've given you a reason."
For the first time, Nuler saw something beneath his controlled expression.
Regret.
He started the engine.
"There's a place where you'll be safe."
"Your mansion?"
"No."
"Then where?"
Andrew looked at her.
"My mother's house."
Nuler stared.
"Does she know who I am?"
May you like
Andrew's jaw tightened.
"She knows more about your mother than I do."
Related Stories
