Chapter 1 - THE STRANGER AT HER TABLE
“Alby.”
Vincent's voice was stripped of every trace of devotion, flat and dead.
The older man stopped beside our booth.
His broken nose twisted when he smiled.
“Well, well.”
He looked at Vincent.
“Vincent Romano.”
Then his gaze moved toward me.
“And who is this?”
Vincent's hand tightened around mine.
“My wife.”
The word landed like a gunshot.
I stared at him.
His wife?
I had known this man for approximately three minutes.
And now I was apparently married.
Alby laughed.
“Your wife?”
Vincent smiled faintly.
“Surprised?”
“Very.”
Alby's eyes narrowed.
“I didn't know you were married.”
Vincent shrugged.
“Private ceremony.”
I swallowed.
Alby looked at me.
“What's your name, sweetheart?”
Vincent's thumb brushed my hand.
A warning.
I forced a smile.
“Nora.”
Alby studied me.
“Nora Romano?”
I hesitated.
Then nodded.
“Yes.”
Vincent lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles.
The gesture was so natural that for one ridiculous second, I almost believed him.
“My wife doesn't enjoy discussing our personal life with strangers.”
Alby's smile faded.
He leaned closer.
“Your husband has been difficult to find.”
I looked at Vincent.
He smiled.
“Work.”
Alby laughed.
“Is that what we're calling it?”
The younger men shifted behind him.
One moved his hand inside his jacket.
My stomach dropped.
Vincent noticed.
His expression didn't change.
“Alby,” he said quietly.
“Don't.”
The older man smiled.
“Don't what?”
“Make a mistake in front of my wife.”
Silence.
The restaurant seemed to hold its breath.
Then Alby laughed.
“Relax.”
He straightened.
“We're just talking.”
Vincent smiled.
“Then talk.”
Alby leaned closer.
“Your brother owes us.”
Vincent's jaw tightened.
“My brother's debts are his own.”
Alby's eyes hardened.
“Not in our world.”
Vincent's grip on my hand became painful.
I swallowed a gasp.
Then did something stupid.
Something that would change my life forever.
I squeezed his hand back.
Vincent looked at me.
For a fraction of a second, surprise flashed across his face.
I smiled.
“Darling.”
The word tasted ridiculous.
But I kept going.
“Our anniversary dinner is getting cold.”
Alby stared.
Vincent's expression softened instantly.
“Of course, sweetheart.”
He turned back to Alby.
“You heard my wife.”
For a long moment, nobody moved.
Then Alby stepped back.
“Enjoy your dinner.”
His smile was cold.
“We'll talk soon.”
The three men walked away.
The restaurant slowly began breathing again.
I pulled my hand free.
“What the hell was that?”
Vincent looked at me.
Then said quietly:
“You just saved my life.”
I stared.
“Wonderful.”
I reached for my purse.
“Now leave.”
Vincent didn't move.
“Nora.”
I froze.
Something in his voice had changed.
“What?”
He looked toward the entrance.
Then back at me.
“I'm afraid it's not that simple.”
My stomach tightened.
“Why?”
Vincent swallowed.
“Because Alby saw your face.”
I stared.
“And?”
He leaned closer.
“Now he believes you're my wife.”
I laughed.
A sharp, disbelieving sound.
“Then tell him I'm not.”
Vincent shook his head.
“That would make you a witness.”
My blood went cold.
He continued.
“And witnesses don't live long in Alby's world.”
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
Then I whispered:
“What have you done to me?”
Vincent looked at me.
May you like
And for the first time, the terrifying stranger seemed genuinely ashamed.
“I've put you in danger.”
