Chapter 1 - THE STRANGER WHO TOOK THE BULLET
“Until we know who fired those shots.”
Adrienne Bellini's words hung between us.
The detective looked from him to me.
I was still wearing his jacket.
My hands were trembling.
And somewhere beyond the shattered windows of the Holston Hotel, police sirens continued cutting through the Chicago rain.
“Mr. Bellini,” the detective said carefully, “Miss Carter is free to decide where she goes.”
Adrienne nodded.
“Of course.”
Then he looked at me.
“Elizabeth, you can leave with the officers, go home, or let my people arrange somewhere secure. Your choice.”
I stared at him.
That was the first thing that surprised me.
Not the expensive suit.
Not the armed men.
Not the fact that Daniel had looked ready to faint when he recognized him.
The choice.
My ex-husband had spent five years making decisions for me.
Adrienne Bellini had known me for less than two hours.
And somehow, he understood that I needed to make my own.
“Who are you?” I whispered.
He hesitated.
Then answered:
“Someone with enemies.”
I looked toward the broken mirror.
“Clearly.”
His mouth moved slightly.
Almost a smile.
Then the silver-haired man approached.
“Boss.”
Adrienne turned.
“What?”
“The surviving shooter escaped through the east service corridor.”
Adrienne's expression hardened.
“Find out who helped him.”
The man nodded.
Then looked at me.
His eyes narrowed.
“She's the witness?”
Adrienne stepped slightly closer.
“Yes.”
The man studied me.
Then said:
“She shouldn't go home.”
My stomach tightened.
“Why?”
Adrienne looked at him.
“Marco.”
The silver-haired man stopped.
Adrienne turned back to me.
“Elizabeth, the people who attacked tonight may know you saw something important.”
I swallowed.
“Because I described the man?”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
I looked toward the rain.
Then back at him.
“Where would you take me?”
Adrienne's expression softened.
“Somewhere safe.”
I stared.
“Is that a promise?”
He held my gaze.
“Yes.”
May you like
For reasons I couldn't explain, I believed him.
And that frightened me more than the gunshots.
