Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN WHO WASN'T SUPPOSED TO SURVIVE
Vincent offered to drive me home.
I refused.
He offered a security escort.
I refused again.
Then he said something that made me stop.
“Alby has people outside.”
I looked toward the rain-streaked windows.
A black SUV sat across the street.
Its headlights were off.
Two men waited inside.
My stomach tightened.
“Are they watching us?”
Vincent nodded.
“Yes.”
I turned toward him.
“You need to call the police.”
He looked at me.
“I already have someone contacting them.”
I stared.
“Someone?”
“My attorney.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Of course.”
Vincent looked down.
“I know you didn't ask for any of this.”
“No.”
My voice shook.
“I didn't.”
He nodded.
“I'm sorry.”
The apology surprised me.
Not because it fixed anything.
But because it sounded real.
Twenty minutes later, a security team arrived.
They escorted us through a service entrance.
I climbed into a car with Vincent.
The rain hammered against the windows.
I sat as far away from him as possible.
He didn't try to move closer.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“A safe location.”
I stared.
“That's not an answer.”
Vincent nodded.
“Fair.”
He gave me the address.
Then offered his phone.
“You can call someone you trust.”
I looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because you should.”
For a moment, I didn't know what to say.
Then I called my best friend, Claire.
She answered immediately.
“Nora?”
My voice broke.
“Claire.”
“What happened?”
I swallowed.
“Something terrible.”
I told her enough to explain the situation.
Not everything.
Just enough.
Claire listened.
Then said:
“I'm coming.”
Vincent looked toward me.
“Your friend?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
He gave the driver instructions.
And for the first time that night, I felt slightly less alone.
But when we reached the safe house, Vincent received a message.
His expression changed.
“What?” I asked.
He looked at me.
Then whispered:
“They know who you are.”
My blood turned cold.
“Who?”
Vincent swallowed.
“Alby's people.”
I stared.
“How?”
He looked away.
“Someone inside my organization gave them your name.”
For the first time, I understood the danger wasn't just outside.
May you like
It was inside Vincent's world.
And I had been dragged into the middle of it.
