Chapter 2 - THE MAN WHO HAD BEEN LOOKING FOR HER
The agreement was twenty-eight years old.
My mother explained it in a private sitting room while Vincent stood near the window.
In 1998, Thomas Hartwell and Alessandro Marino had entered a business partnership.
My father handled legitimate real estate investments.
Vincent's father controlled a complicated network of shipping and construction companies.
The partnership had been profitable.
Until something went wrong.
My mother looked down.
“Your father discovered financial irregularities.”
I stared.
“What kind?”
She hesitated.
“Money laundering. Illegal transfers. Things he wanted no part of.”
Vincent's expression hardened.
“My father told me Thomas was a trusted friend.”
My mother nodded.
“He was.”
I looked between them.
“Then what happened?”
Silence.
Vincent's mother, Isabella Marino, spoke quietly.
“Thomas threatened to expose the people involved.”
My stomach tightened.
“And then he died.”
Nobody answered.
I stood.
“Are you telling me my father was murdered?”
My mother began crying.
“I don't know.”
Her voice broke.
“I never knew for certain.”
I looked at Vincent.
He nodded slowly.
“That's why I've been investigating.”
I stared.
“For how long?”
“Six months.”
My stomach dropped.
“And you were looking for me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Vincent hesitated.
Then said:
“Because your father left something behind.”
My breath caught.
“What?”
“A document.”
He looked at me.
“Something that could expose the people responsible.”
I stared.
“Where is it?”
Vincent shook his head.
“We don't know.”
I laughed bitterly.
“So you thought I might know?”
“Yes.”
I stepped closer.
“And instead of calling me, you hid under a table?”
Vincent's mouth twitched.
“That wasn't the original plan.”
I glared.
“Wonderful.”
He looked at me.
“Evelyn.”
His voice softened.
“I didn't want to frighten you.”
I laughed.
“Then you're doing a terrible job.”
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Isabella said:
“There's something else.”
Vincent turned.
“Mother.”
She swallowed.
“Thomas and Alessandro made a promise.”
I stared.
“What promise?”
My mother closed her eyes.
Isabella whispered:
“That if anything happened to either family, their children would protect one another.”
I looked at Vincent.
He looked equally surprised.
Then Isabella added:
“And they hoped the two of you might eventually marry.”
Silence.
I stared.
Then laughed.
A loud, disbelieving laugh.
Vincent looked at me.
“Don't.”
I shook my head.
“Oh, I'm absolutely laughing.”
He sighed.
“Of course you are.”
I looked at both mothers.
“Let me get this straight.”
I counted on my fingers.
“My father may have been murdered.”
“Someone may have hidden evidence.”
“And your solution is to marry me to a mafia boss?”
My mother opened her mouth.
I raised a hand.
“No.”
Vincent stepped beside me.
“For once, Evelyn and I agree.”
I turned toward him.
“For once?”
He smiled faintly.
“We've known each other twenty minutes.”
Despite everything, I almost laughed.
Then Vincent's phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen.
His expression changed.
“What?” I asked.
He looked at me.
May you like
Then whispered:
“Someone just broke into your office.”
