Chapter 3 - THE RING THAT CONNECTED TWO DISAPPEARANCES
Genevieve sat across from Roman while rain battered the windows.
The diamond ring lay between them.
It no longer looked beautiful.
It looked dangerous.
"Tell me exactly what you heard at the cathedral," Roman said.
Genevieve described Preston's conversation with his father.
The plan to liquidate Hayes Logistics.
The forged authority they expected to obtain through marriage.
The admission that Thomas Hayes's brakes had been deliberately sabotaged.
Roman listened without interrupting.
When she finished, his expression was grim.
"Your father refused a port contract?"
She nodded.
"He said the terms were wrong. He wouldn't explain."
Roman leaned back.
"Thomas Hayes was one of the few businessmen in Chicago who wouldn't sell access to his shipping records."
Genevieve stared.
"You knew him?"
"We met twice."
"Did you threaten him?"
Roman's eyes lifted.
"No."
"Why should I believe you?"
"You shouldn't believe anything without evidence."
That answer surprised her.
Roman called his attorney, Julian Mercer.
Within an hour, Julian arrived at the club.
He was a quiet man with silver glasses and a leather briefcase.
Genevieve explained what she'd overheard.
Julian took notes.
Then asked whether she had signed any documents granting Preston authority over her company.
She shook her head.
"Not knowingly."
"That's important. Marriage alone doesn't automatically give someone power of attorney over your assets."
Genevieve stared.
"But Preston said—"
"Then he was either lying or relying on documents he expected you to sign."
Julian's expression hardened.
"We need to review everything."
Genevieve remembered a packet Preston had given her two days earlier.
He called it routine wedding paperwork.
She had signed several pages without reading them carefully.
Her stomach tightened.
"I may have signed something."
Julian nodded.
"Then we obtain copies immediately."
Roman looked at the ring.
"There's another question."
Genevieve swallowed.
"What?"
"Why would Preston give you Elena's ring?"
Julian studied the photograph.
"Perhaps he didn't know its history."
Roman shook his head.
"His father knew."
Genevieve looked toward the window.
The city glittered beneath the rain.
She had spent the morning preparing to marry a man she loved.
Now she was sitting in a mafia boss's office, discussing murder, fraud, and a missing woman.
Her phone vibrated.
A message from Harper.
Where are you? Preston says you're having a breakdown. Please call me.
Genevieve stared.
Then another message arrived.
The police are looking for you.
She showed Roman.
He read it.
Then looked at Julian.
"Make sure she can speak to investigators safely."
Julian nodded.
Genevieve swallowed.
"Roman, why are you helping me?"
He looked at the photograph of Elena.
"Because eleven years ago, I couldn't help my sister."
May you like
His voice softened.
"And I'm not going to ignore another woman who comes through my door asking for protection."
