Chapter 2 - THE PHOTOGRAPH HE WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO SEE
I had spent six years believing my mother died because of a drunk driver.
By the end of that night, I would discover that someone had been watching our family long before her funeral.
Roman Gallagher crossed the nightclub toward me.
Jenna immediately stepped aside.
"Claire."
I turned.
"Mr. Gallagher?"
He looked at my necklace.
"Where did you get that?"
I instinctively touched the silver pendant.
"My mother."
"Did she give it to you?"
"Yes."
"When?"
"Before she died."
His expression tightened.
"What was her name?"
I hesitated.
"Evelyn Bennett."
For several seconds, Roman said nothing.
Then he glanced toward Vincent.
"Clear my office."
My stomach dropped.
"Why?"
Roman looked back at me.
"Because I need to ask you something privately."
"I'm working."
"I'll speak to your manager."
I crossed my arms.
"That doesn't mean I have to go anywhere."
Roman studied me.
Then he nodded.
"You're right."
His answer surprised me.
He lowered his voice.
"Your mother may have known my family. And I believe somebody lied to you about her death."
Everything inside me went still.
"What?"
Roman removed a photograph from his jacket.
It showed a younger version of himself standing outside a restaurant.
Beside him was a woman in a navy coat.
My mother.
I stared.
"Where did you get this?"
"It belonged to my father."
I looked again.
Mom appeared younger than I remembered.
She was smiling.
But behind her stood another man.
Tall.
Dark-haired.
Wearing a gold watch.
I recognized him immediately.
My mother's former employer.
Arthur Whitlock.
A wealthy businessman who had attended her funeral, placed flowers beside her coffin, and told me she had been a wonderful employee.
"Why is Arthur Whitlock in this photograph?" I whispered.
Roman's expression changed.
"You know him?"
"He employed my mother."
Roman slowly lowered the picture.
"My father accused Whitlock of stealing millions from him."
I shook my head.
"My mom was a bookkeeper."
"Exactly."
My heart began racing.
"Are you saying she stole money?"
"No."
His voice was firm.
"I'm saying she may have discovered who did."
My phone vibrated again.
David.
Another message appeared.
Where are you? I need $800 tonight. Don't make me ask twice, baby.
Roman glanced at the screen before I could hide it.
His eyes hardened.
"Does he threaten you?"
"It's complicated."
"Usually that means yes."
I looked away.
Roman didn't push.
Instead, he returned the photograph.
"Keep it."
"Why?"
"Because it belongs to your family's history."
I stared at Mom's smiling face.
Then I noticed something written on the back.
Three words in her handwriting.
Trust no Gallagher.
My chest tightened.
I looked up.
Roman was watching me carefully.
And suddenly I understood something terrifying.
May you like
My mother hadn't merely known Roman Gallagher's family.
She had been afraid of them.
