Chapter 4 - The Woman Who Made the Mafia Boss Want a Normal LifeMaggie did not know Adrian had doubled the security.
She knew because suddenly people stopped allowing her to carry boxes.
She hated it.
“I can lift this.”
“No.”
“I am not fragile.”
“I didn't say you were.”
“You act like it.”
Adrian looked at her.
“I act like someone who intends to keep you alive.”
She smiled.
“That's almost romantic.”
“I wasn't trying to be romantic.”
“You're terrible at it.”
“I know.”
She laughed.
Their relationship changed slowly.
Breakfast became routine.
He sat at the kitchen island.
She cooked.
He listened.
They talked about things unrelated to murder.
Movies.
Food.
Chicago winters.
Her favorite pie.
His hatred of cilantro.
One night, Maggie asked:
“Why don't you date?”
“I don't trust people.”
“Neither do I.”
“Then why do I trust you?”
She looked at him.
“Maybe you don't.”
“No.”
He paused.
“I do.”
Maggie's heart beat faster.
Then someone fired through the window.
Adrian pushed her down.
Glass shattered.
Security rushed in.
When it ended, Maggie found a note taped to the wall.
Ask Adrian what happened to your father.
She turned.
“What did they mean?”
Adrian froze.
He had forgotten.
Her father.
Thomas Bell.
He had been one of Victor's drivers.
And he had disappeared the night of the fire.
Maggie had believed he died.
Adrian finally told her.
“Your father survived.”
She went pale.
“What?”
“He was alive for years.”
“Where?”
“He disappeared.”
“Why?”
“Because he stole something from Victor.”
“What?”
“A ledger.”
Maggie sat down.
Her entire life had been built on missing pieces.
She looked at Adrian.
“You knew.”
“I suspected.”
“You knew he might be alive.”
“I didn't know where.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I didn't want to give you hope without proof.”
She cried.
He sat beside her.
She leaned against him.
“I hate secrets.”
“I know.”
“Promise me no more.”
“I promise.”
He meant it.
The next day, they found Thomas.
Alive.
Older.
Sick.
Living under another name in Indiana.
Maggie traveled with Adrian.
When Thomas saw his daughter, he cried.
She ran into his arms.
“You're alive.”
“I tried to come back.”
“Why didn't you?”
“I was afraid.”
“Of Victor?”
“Of everyone.”
Thomas told them the truth.
The ledger exposed the entire network.
Victor had ordered the fire.
Roman Moretti had tried to stop him.
Thomas had escaped with evidence.
But one person had betrayed Roman.
Adrian's uncle.
The man everyone thought dead.
Victor had been alive for years.
And Thomas had been hiding the ledger because it contained proof.
Maggie asked:
“Where is it?”
Thomas looked at Adrian.
“Your father gave it to you.”
Adrian frowned.
“My father?”
“He hid it before he died.”
“Where?”
“In the one place Victor would never search.”
Maggie held her breath.
Thomas said:
“Briar & Ash.”
The restaurant.
Maggie and Adrian returned.
They searched the oldest dining room.
Behind a brick fireplace, they found a metal box.
Inside was the ledger.
And a letter.
Adrian opened it.
His father's handwriting.
Adrian, if you find this, Victor has returned. Do not trust blood. Trust the person who stayed when she had every reason to run.
Adrian looked at Maggie.
She was crying.
He closed the letter.
Then kissed her.
Not because he had planned to.
Because he couldn't stop himself.
Maggie kissed him back.
For the first time in years, she didn't feel like she was running.
Then footsteps sounded behind them.
Victor spoke from the doorway.
“You always were your father's weakness.”
Adrian turned.
Victor raised a gun.
Maggie stepped between them.
Victor smiled.
“Good.”
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“Why?”
“Because now I know exactly how to destroy him.”
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