Chapter 7 - THE EX WHO KNEW TOO MUCH
Ethan Cole smiled when Natalie entered the visitation room.
He was behind glass.
His face still carried bruising from the restaurant hallway.
“You came.”
Natalie sat.
Adrian stood behind her.
Ethan’s smile faded.
“You brought him.”
“Yes.”
“I thought we could talk privately.”
“No.”
Ethan leaned back.
“You’re different.”
“I’m not scared of you anymore.”
His eyes changed.
“Don’t lie.”
Natalie felt the old fear.
Then Adrian’s hand rested lightly against the back of her chair.
Not claiming.
Not directing.
Just there.
Natalie breathed.
“Where is Adrian’s mother?”
Ethan smiled.
“So Claire talked.”
“Answer me.”
“You know, I did care about you.”
Natalie stared.
“No. You cared about controlling me.”
His jaw tightened.
“You think Mercer is different?”
“Yes.”
That answer surprised even Adrian.
Ethan’s face darkened.
“Men like him don’t love women. They acquire them.”
Natalie leaned closer to the glass.
“And men like you tell women what every other man will do because you’re terrified they’ll discover better exists.”
Ethan stopped smiling.
Adrian looked at her.
Pride flickered in his eyes.
Natalie continued.
“Where is Evelyn Mercer?”
Ethan’s expression changed.
“So you know the name.”
Adrian stiffened.
Natalie saw it.
His mother.
Evelyn.
Ethan tapped the glass.
“She’s alive.”
“Where?”
“I want a deal.”
Adrian spoke for the first time.
“You’re in no position to negotiate.”
Ethan looked at him.
“Actually, I’m the only man in this building who knows where your mother is.”
Adrian remained still.
“What do you want?”
“Protection.”
“From?”
“Victor.”
Adrian’s jaw clenched.
“So he is alive.”
Ethan nodded.
“Yes.”
“Did he hire you?”
“No.”
“Who did?”
Ethan looked at Natalie.
“Claire.”
“We know.”
“But Claire didn’t know who I was really working for.”
Natalie frowned.
“Who?”
“Evelyn.”
Adrian went still.
“My mother hired you?”
“She asked me to find Emily Vale.”
“Why?”
“Because you were getting too close to Victor’s network.”
Adrian’s expression darkened.
“That makes no sense.”
“She believed Emily had the evidence to expose him.”
Natalie crossed her arms.
“So you were supposed to protect me?”
“At first.”
“And then?”
Ethan looked away.
“I started needing money.”
Natalie almost laughed at the pathetic simplicity.
“You sold information.”
“Yes.”
“To Victor?”
“Yes.”
“And when I tried to leave you?”
He said nothing.
Natalie’s voice hardened.
“You decided ownership was easier than protection.”
Ethan looked ashamed for half a second.
It did not matter.
“Where is Evelyn?”
He sighed.
“Old Mercer property in Hudson Valley.”
Adrian stood.
“Address.”
Ethan gave it.
Then he looked at Natalie.
“There’s something you should know.”
She waited.
“Evelyn isn’t hiding from Victor.”
“What?”
Ethan smiled bitterly.
“She runs the part of his network he can’t control.”
Adrian stared.
Ethan continued.
“Your mother isn’t a prisoner.”
May you like
He looked directly at Adrian.
“She’s been building an army to kill your father.”
