Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN WHO REFUSED HIS MONEY
When the plane landed in Rome, Dante offered Clare ten thousand dollars.
She refused.
He increased the amount.
She refused again.
Finally, he stared at her.
"Are you always this difficult?"
"Only when someone tries to turn kindness into a transaction."
Marco looked as though nobody had ever spoken to his employer that way.
Dante, unexpectedly, smiled.
Clare adjusted Maya's backpack.
"I helped your son because he needed help. That's all."
"Where are you staying?"
"With family."
"Where?"
"That's private."
Dante studied her for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"Fair enough."
He handed her a card.
"If you ever need anything."
Clare took it only because refusing a third time seemed unnecessarily rude.
Then she walked away.
She believed she would never see him again.
She was wrong.
At passport control, Maya began coughing.
Clare knelt to check her temperature.
Her daughter was warm.
Too warm.
"Mama, my tummy hurts."
Clare's heart tightened.
They had been traveling for almost twelve hours.
Maya was exhausted.
Clare had barely enough money for a taxi.
She searched her bag for children's fever medicine.
Nothing.
She'd forgotten it in Ohio.
A voice came from behind her.
"Is she sick?"
Dante.
Clare closed her eyes.
"Just tired."
He looked at Maya.
"She looks feverish."
"I know."
"There's a medical clinic at the airport."
"I'll take her."
Dante nodded.
Then he stepped aside.
He didn't offer money.
Didn't issue orders.
Didn't insist on accompanying her.
That surprised Clare.
She carried Maya to the airport medical center.
The physician examined her and diagnosed a likely viral illness, advising fluids, rest, and monitoring.
By the time Clare emerged, her phone had seventeen missed calls.
All from Richard.
Her stomach dropped.
Then a message appeared.
YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU WENT?
Another followed.
ROME ISN'T FAR ENOUGH.
Clare felt the airport tilt beneath her feet.
Maya tugged her sleeve.
"Mama?"
Clare forced a smile.
"It's okay, baby."
But it wasn't.
Someone had told Richard where she was.
And she had no idea who.
Across the terminal, Dante watched Clare's face change.
He recognized fear.
Not ordinary worry.
The kind that made people check exits.
He approached slowly.
"Clare."
She startled.
"Please don't."
He stopped.
"Don't what?"
"Ask questions."
Dante looked at her phone.
He couldn't see the screen.
But he understood enough.
"Is someone threatening you?"
Clare held Maya closer.
"My husband."
Dante's expression hardened.
"Your husband?"
"We're separated."
"Does he know you're here?"
"Apparently."
Dante glanced toward Marco.
Then back at Clare.
"You need a lawyer."
"I know."
"And somewhere safe."
"I have somewhere."
"Are you certain?"
Clare wanted to say yes.
Instead, her eyes filled.
"No."
Dante's voice softened.
"Then let me help you find one."
She stared at him.
"Why?"
He looked at Maya.
May you like
Then at the sleeping Leonardo in Marco's arms.
"Because someone once helped my son when I couldn't."
