Chapter 2 - THE MAN WHO WANTED ME GONE
The next morning, I learned two things.
My car was beyond repair.
And Connor had reported me missing.
Not to the police.
To a private investigator.
That detail bothered Adrien far more than it bothered me.
"Why hire an investigator instead of calling the authorities?" he asked.
I sat propped against pillows, holding a cup of tea.
"Because Connor likes controlling situations."
Lucia stood near the fireplace, examining her tablet.
"Does he have money?"
I laughed.
"Connor? He sells luxury homes and spends most of his commissions pretending he's richer than his clients."
Adrien didn't smile.
"Does he have debts?"
"Probably. He was always moving money between accounts."
Franco entered carrying a folder.
"We identified the investigator. His name is Peter Walsh."
Adrien looked up.
"And?"
"He's worked for the Versani organization before."
The room changed.
Lucia lowered her tablet.
Adrien's expression went cold.
"You're certain?"
Franco nodded.
"Three previous assignments."
I stared between them.
"Who are the Versanis?"
Nobody answered immediately.
Finally, Lucia turned toward me.
"They're involved in businesses that compete with ours."
"Businesses?"
Adrien looked at me.
"Organized crime, Madison."
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
"What does my cheating boyfriend have to do with a mafia feud?"
"That's what we're going to find out," Adrien answered.
I put down my tea.
"No."
He frowned.
"No?"
"You're going to tell the authorities what you've discovered. I'm going to get proper medical care. And then I'm going to find somewhere safe to live."
Lucia looked almost amused.
Adrien considered my words.
Then nodded.
"Fair."
I hadn't expected that.
He continued.
"We'll give the police the vehicle information. You can speak to them directly, with an attorney if you want one."
"Thank you."
"And when Dr. Fontinelli clears you for travel, I'll arrange transportation."
I studied him.
"Why are you helping me?"
His expression shifted.
For one second, something dark moved behind his eyes.
"Because I know what happens when people decide someone else's life is disposable."
Before I could ask what he meant, my phone rang.
Connor.
I stared at the screen.
My stomach twisted.
Adrien noticed.
"Answer only if you want to."
I took a breath and pressed the button.
"Madison?"
Connor sounded frantic.
"Where the hell have you been?"
I looked toward the window.
"Recovering from a car accident."
Silence.
Then he said, "What accident?"
The words came too quickly.
Too carefully.
"My car went off the highway."
"Oh, God."
He paused.
"Was anyone else involved?"
I frowned.
"No."
Another silence.
Then he asked, "Did they examine the car?"
Every nerve in my body tightened.
"Why?"
"Just wondering."
I stared at the phone.
"Connor, how did you know to ask?"
He laughed nervously.
"Madison, I'm worried about you."
"Are you?"
"Of course."
I remembered Jess's messages.
The months of lies.
The way he told me he wasn't sure our baby belonged to him.
"Then why did you throw me out?"
He sighed.
"Can we not do this now?"
"No."
His voice hardened.
"Fine. Where are you staying?"
"Somewhere safe."
"With who?"
"That's not your business."
The silence that followed frightened me more than shouting would have.
Then Connor whispered, "Madison, you have no idea what you've gotten yourself into."
My skin went cold.
"What does that mean?"
He didn't answer.
Then I heard another voice behind him.
A man's voice.
Low.
Impatient.
"Ask her whether Mancini found the envelope."
Connor covered the phone too late.
Adrien heard it.
So did I.
Then the call disconnected.
May you like
And Adrien spoke one name.
"Versani."
