Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED TO RUN
Adrian wanted me out of the mansion.
Immediately.
He arranged a secure apartment in Manhattan.
A driver.
A security detail.
And enough money to cover my wages for six months.
I refused.
He stared at me.
"Claire."
"No."
"You're in danger."
"I know."
"Then why are you arguing?"
Because I was tired of running.
Because I'd spent my entire life being told to stay quiet.
Because Dean had threatened me.
And because if I left now, I would never know whether the man who had finally listened to me survived the night.
I took a breath.
"Because I can help."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"You're not trained for this."
"No."
I nodded.
"But I know the staff routines."
Marco looked up.
I continued.
"I know which doors stick. Which cameras are blocked by flower arrangements. Which corridors the guards ignore because they think nobody uses them."
Adrian studied me.
"And?"
"And I know Dean's habits."
Marco leaned forward.
"Tell us."
I swallowed.
"Every night at one-thirty, he checks the wine cellar."
Marco frowned.
"Why?"
"He says he's inspecting the lower corridor."
Adrian looked at the blueprint.
The wine cellar.
Directly above the old tunnel.
Marco's expression changed.
"That's where the access hatch would be."
I nodded.
Adrian looked at me for a long moment.
Then said:
"You've been paying attention."
I smiled sadly.
"People who are afraid notice things."
He didn't smile.
Instead, he stood.
"All right."
My heart lifted.
"But you're not staying in the servants' wing."
I nodded.
"And you're not confronting Dean."
"Agreed."
"And if Marco tells you to leave, you leave."
I hesitated.
Adrian raised an eyebrow.
"Claire."
I sighed.
"Fine."
For the first time that day, he smiled.
A small smile.
But real.
Then he said something that made my chest tighten.
"I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't opened my door that night."
I looked down.
"Neither do I."
He stepped closer.
"Thank you."
I blinked.
"For what?"
"For trusting me when you had every reason not to."
I looked at him.
Then whispered:
"Just don't make me regret it."
May you like
His expression softened.
"I won't."
