Chapter 6 - THE ENEMY BEHIND THE CAMERA
The photographer's name was Elliot Crane.
He wasn't a journalist.
He was a private investigator.
And he'd been hired by a man named Victor Salvatore.
Dante's rival.
Victor controlled several criminal operations along the East Coast.
He wanted Dante's shipping contracts.
His influence.
And his territory.
The photograph was supposed to expose a weakness.
Me.
When Dante told me, I stared.
“That's ridiculous.”
He nodded.
“Yes.”
I folded my arms.
“I barely know you.”
“I know.”
“Then why would anyone think I'm important to you?”
Dante hesitated.
Then looked at me.
“Because I didn't push you away.”
I stared.
He continued.
“Because I defended you.”
My heart tightened.
“And because I announced you were under my protection.”
I closed my eyes.
“Right.”
He smiled faintly.
“Clara.”
I looked up.
“Yes?”
“I'm sorry.”
I blinked.
The apology sounded genuine.
For a moment, I didn't know what to say.
Then I whispered:
“Just don't make things worse.”
Dante nodded.
May you like
“I won't.”
But somewhere in New York, Victor Salvatore was already planning his next move.
