Chapter 9 - THE WIFE WHO REFUSED TO COME BACK
I was eating breakfast when Adrian called.
“Claire.”
His voice sounded different.
Tense.
“What happened?”
“Vanessa's missing.”
I lowered my coffee.
“Kidnapped?”
“Apparently.”
I closed my eyes.
“Of course she is.”
Adrian hesitated.
“There's more.”
I waited.
“I spoke to Ethan.”
I nearly dropped my cup.
“You what?”
“He needed to know Salerno was setting a trap.”
“Adrian.”
“I know.”
I stood.
“You told me not to tell him you were alive.”
“I changed my mind.”
I stared out at Lake Michigan.
“Why?”
A pause.
Then he said quietly, “Because I'm tired of hiding.”
Something in his voice made me stop.
For seven years, Adrian had lived under another name.
Away from his family.
Away from Chicago.
Away from the life he had known.
Now he had returned.
And I suspected it wasn't simply because of Vanessa.
“Adrian.”
“Yes?”
“What really happened in 2019?”
Silence.
Then he answered.
“Victor Salerno ordered the explosion.”
I closed my eyes.
“And Ethan?”
“He knew there was a threat.”
My stomach tightened.
“Did he help?”
“I don't know.”
I swallowed.
“Then why are you here?”
Adrian's voice softened.
“Because someone needs to stop this before more people die.”
I stared at the water.
Then said, “What do you need?”
He hesitated.
“Your help.”
I laughed bitterly.
“Apparently everyone needs my help now.”
Adrian smiled faintly.
“Only because you're smarter than all of us.”
I considered that.
Then nodded.
“True.”
May you like
For the first time in days, he laughed.
And somehow, hearing that laugh made the entire situation feel less terrifying.
