Chapter 3 - A MARRIAGE WRITTEN IN FEAR
The safe house was a townhouse in a quiet Chicago neighborhood.
No guards visible.
No luxury cars.
No obvious signs that it belonged to a dangerous man.
Claire arrived shortly after midnight.
She hugged me so tightly I could barely breathe.
“Nora.”
I began crying.
Vincent stood near the doorway.
He didn't interrupt.
When I finally pulled away, Claire looked at him.
“Who are you?”
Vincent answered calmly.
“Vincent Romano.”
Claire went pale.
I frowned.
“What?”
She looked at me.
“Nora.”
Her voice shook.
“Do you know who that is?”
I stared at Vincent.
He didn't deny anything.
Claire whispered:
“He's the head of the Romano family.”
My stomach dropped.
The Romano family.
One of Chicago's most feared criminal organizations.
I turned toward Vincent.
“You're a mafia boss.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
I laughed.
A broken, disbelieving sound.
“Of course you are.”
Vincent looked at me.
“I should have told you.”
I stared.
“When? Before or after you introduced me as your wife?”
He accepted the anger.
“I understand.”
Claire stepped between us.
“She's leaving.”
Vincent nodded.
“As soon as we can do it safely.”
I stared.
“You're not going to stop me?”
“No.”
For a moment, I almost believed him.
Then his phone rang.
Vincent answered.
Listened.
His expression hardened.
When he ended the call, he looked at me.
“Alby has contacted several people.”
My stomach tightened.
“About what?”
Vincent swallowed.
“He's asking questions about my wife.”
I stared.
“But I'm not your wife.”
“I know.”
Claire crossed her arms.
“Then fix it.”
Vincent looked down.
“There may be a way.”
I frowned.
“What way?”
He looked at me.
“A legal marriage.”
Silence.
Then I laughed.
“You're insane.”
Vincent nodded.
“Possibly.”
I stepped closer.
“You think I'm going to marry you because you lied to three criminals?”
Vincent shook his head.
“No.”
He took a breath.
“I'm telling you one option.”
I stared.
He continued.
“But it isn't the only one.”
For the next hour, Vincent's attorney explained the alternatives.
Temporary relocation.
Protective arrangements.
Cooperation with authorities.
And the legal consequences of any marriage.
I listened.
Then said:
“No.”
Vincent nodded.
“Okay.”
I stared.
“That's it?”
“Yes.”
For the first time that night, I saw something unexpected.
The man who had forced himself into my booth was learning to accept that he couldn't force himself into my life.
May you like
And that mattered.
Even if I still wanted to strangle him.
