Chapter 2 - THE BRIDE WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Edmund took Vivien to his estate overlooking Lake Michigan.
The mansion was enormous.
Stone walls.
Iron gates.
Armed security.
A driveway long enough to make her wonder whether the house had its own postal code.
Vivien stepped inside wearing a torn wedding gown.
Her veil was missing.
One shoe had broken.
And her new husband looked as though he was considering declaring war on half of Chicago.
A housekeeper approached.
“Mr. Costa, shall I prepare the master suite?”
Vivien answered before Edmund could.
“Separate rooms.”
The woman froze.
Edmund looked at his wife.
“Separate rooms?”
“Yes.”
“We're married.”
“Legally. Not emotionally.”
Tommy made a coughing sound.
Edmund gave him a warning glance.
Vivien folded her arms.
“I was traded to settle my father's debts. That doesn't mean you own me.”
Edmund stared at her.
Then he turned to the housekeeper.
“Prepare the east guest suite.”
Vivien blinked.
She hadn't expected him to agree.
He looked back at her.
“Anything else?”
“Yes.”
His eyebrow rose.
“I want a phone that isn't monitored, access to my own money, and the freedom to leave the property.”
Edmund considered her demands.
“Leaving without security isn't safe right now.”
“Then we discuss security. You don't imprison me.”
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he nodded.
“Agreed.”
Vivien watched him carefully.
“You're surprisingly reasonable for a criminal.”
“Don't spread that around.”
Despite herself, she almost smiled.
Later, Edmund questioned her about her mother's death.
Vivien explained that her mother, Dr. Helena Moreau, had been killed twelve years earlier.
The official report described a robbery outside a hospital.
But Helena had been investigating suspicious injuries among patients connected to organized crime.
She believed someone was using medical facilities to conceal violent crimes.
Two weeks before her death, she'd told Vivien that powerful people were hiding something.
Then she was gone.
Edmund listened without interruption.
“Did she leave records?”
Vivien hesitated.
“A journal.”
“Where is it?”
“My father took it.”
Edmund's expression changed.
“When?”
“The night she died.”
He leaned back.
“Your father arranged our marriage.”
“Yes.”
“And now someone tries to kill me during the reception.”
Vivien stared at him.
“You think he's involved?”
“I think your father's debts may not be the whole story.”
A cold feeling settled in her stomach.
Edmund stood.
“Get some sleep.”
Vivien looked at him.
“Can you?”
He paused.
“What?”
“Sleep.”
For a moment, something vulnerable crossed his face.
May you like
Then he looked away.
“Not usually.”
