Chapter 6 - THE MAN WHO COULDN'T BUY FORGIVENESS
Nico was discharged from the hospital four days after the shooting.
He returned to his penthouse overlooking the Chicago River.
Eden knew because his attorney called.
Not because Nico contacted her.
She appreciated that.
She needed space.
Time.
And answers.
But when the Meridian Steakhouse announced it would remain closed for repairs, Eden suddenly found herself without work.
Her manager promised the staff would be paid for two weeks.
After that, nobody knew.
Eden sat at her kitchen table with a calculator.
Rent.
Utilities.
Medical debt.
Groceries.
Transportation.
The numbers didn't work.
They hadn't worked for months.
But now they looked impossible.
Her phone rang.
It was Rosa, the restaurant's assistant manager.
"Eden, honey, there's something you should know."
Eden frowned.
"What?"
"Mr. Ferraro offered to cover the staff's wages while the restaurant is closed."
Eden closed her eyes.
"Of course he did."
Rosa hesitated.
"He said the money would go through the restaurant's payroll, not directly to employees."
Eden rubbed her forehead.
"That doesn't make it less complicated."
"I know."
After the call, Eden stared at the wall.
She wanted to be grateful.
She also wanted to scream.
Nico Ferraro could solve problems with money.
She couldn't.
That imbalance frightened her.
Two days later, Nico appeared outside her building.
He didn't come upstairs.
He waited beside a black sedan.
When Eden emerged, he stood.
His right arm was supported in a sling.
He looked pale.
Tired.
And strangely uncertain.
"Emily—"
"Eden."
He closed his eyes.
"Sorry."
She folded her arms.
"That's a rough start."
He almost smiled.
"I deserved that."
She looked at him.
"Why are you here?"
"To apologize."
"For what?"
He hesitated.
"For not doing more when your brother came to me."
Eden's throat tightened.
Nico continued.
"And for sending Marco to your apartment without permission."
She looked away.
"Anything else?"
He nodded.
"For assuming money could make everything easier."
Eden stared.
"Can it?"
"Sometimes."
"Can it bring Evan back?"
"No."
"Can it tell me what happened?"
His expression changed.
"Maybe."
Eden looked at him.
"What do you know?"
Nico swallowed.
"Your brother was trying to expose a network of illegal payments."
"I know."
"He came to me because he believed someone inside my organization was involved."
Eden went still.
"Who?"
Nico looked directly at her.
"I don't know."
She stared.
"But I'm going to find out."
Eden shook her head.
"Don't do it for me."
He looked surprised.
"Why not?"
"Because I don't want to owe you."
Nico nodded slowly.
May you like
"Then I'll do it because I should have done it three years ago."
For the first time, Eden didn't know what to say.
