Chapter 4 - The Fiancée Who Knew Too Much
Norah didn't go home.
Dominic insisted.
She hated agreeing with him.
That made it worse.
He took Norah and Lily to an apartment owned through a company Valerie didn't know existed.
Daniel remained under hospital protection arranged through an attorney Dominic trusted outside his organization.
By sunrise, Dominic had made his decision.
He would confront Valerie.
Not accuse.
Not threaten.
Pretend.
Norah thought it was insane.
Dominic called it strategy.
“You're going to walk into a penthouse with a woman who has apparently spent eighteen months stealing from you.”
“Yes.”
“And pretend you know nothing?”
“Yes.”
“That's your plan?”
“Essentially.”
“Terrible plan.”
“You have a better one?”
“Leave.”
Dominic actually looked offended.
“Leave?”
“Rich people are fascinating. You all think every problem requires a chess match.”
“I'm listening.”
“Take the evidence to your attorney. Freeze your companies. Cancel the wedding. Walk away.”
“And Gabriel?”
“Let investigators deal with him.”
Dominic studied her.
“You really don't understand my world.”
“No.”
Norah moved closer.
“But I'm beginning to understand you.”
That silenced him.
“You think walking away means losing.”
Dominic's eyes narrowed.
“And you think winning means staying alive long enough to enjoy breakfast.”
“It helps.”
He smiled despite himself.
Dominic returned to the penthouse alone.
Valerie was waiting in silk pajamas.
She kissed his cheek.
“You look exhausted.”
“Long night.”
“Business?”
“Always.”
She poured coffee.
Dominic watched her.
For years he'd believed Valerie was predictable.
Beautiful.
Ambitious.
Spoiled.
Occasionally cruel.
But predictable.
Now every movement seemed rehearsed.
“Have you seen Gabriel?” he asked casually.
Her hand stopped for less than a second.
“No.”
That was enough.
Dominic smiled.
“I've been thinking about the wedding.”
Valerie brightened.
“What about it?”
“Maybe we should move it forward.”
Her reaction confirmed everything.
Not happiness.
Relief.
“Really?”
“Friday.”
“That's four days.”
“I don't want to wait.”
Valerie wrapped her arms around him.
Dominic looked over her shoulder.
He felt nothing.
That frightened him more than anger would have.
By noon, Chicago society had learned Dominic Mercer was getting married Friday.
Gabriel called immediately.
“You moved the wedding?”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Valerie wanted it.”
Silence.
Then Gabriel laughed.
“Congratulations.”
Dominic ended the call.
The trap was set.
The wedding agreement required a final asset disclosure.
Dominic's attorney prepared false documents showing one supposedly hidden account containing ninety million dollars.
Only Valerie received the information.
Twenty-four hours later, someone attempted to access that account.
Gabriel.
They had them.
But Valerie made her own move.
Norah arrived for her restaurant shift Thursday evening and found Leo waiting.
“You're fired.”
Norah stared at him.
“What?”
“I'm sorry.”
“Leo—”
“I can't.”
He handed her an envelope.
Two weeks' pay.
Norah looked toward Lily.
The teenager was crying.
“Who called?”
Leo didn't answer.
“Valerie?”
Nothing.
Norah understood.
“Okay.”
She removed her apron.
For two years she'd hated the uniform.
Now removing it hurt.
She hugged Lily.
Then walked through the dining room.
At table six sat Dominic.
Alone.
Norah stopped.
“What are you doing here?”
“Having dinner.”
“You don't have food.”
“I was waiting.”
“For?”
“You.”
She held up the envelope.
“I've been fired.”
“I know.”
Anger flashed through her.
“You knew?”
“I bought the restaurant thirty minutes ago.”
Norah stared.
“What?”
“Leo doesn't know yet.”
“You cannot solve every problem by buying buildings.”
“I've found it surprisingly effective.”
Despite everything, Norah laughed.
Dominic stood.
“Your job is safe.”
“No.”
His expression changed.
“What?”
“I don't want it because you own it.”
“Norah—”
“I protected Lily because nobody should need a powerful man to decide whether she deserves dignity.”
Dominic absorbed that.
She placed the envelope on the table.
“If I stay because you rescued me, what exactly did I prove?”
He looked at her for a long time.
Then nodded.
“What will you do?”
“Find another job.”
“I could use someone.”
Norah raised an eyebrow.
“Absolutely not.”
“You haven't heard the job.”
“I've met the employer.”
He almost smiled.
“I need somebody who tells me no.”
“You can get that for free by calling your fiancée.”
Dominic's smile disappeared.
“Not anymore.”
He placed his engagement ring—not his, Valerie's matching engraved band—on the table.
“Tomorrow I'm ending it.”
“Before the wedding?”
“At the wedding.”
Norah stared.
“That's unnecessarily dramatic.”
“I've been told I have tendencies.”
Then Dominic's phone rang.
Daniel Parker.
Dominic answered.
Daniel's voice came fast.
“Lily isn't with you?”
Dominic looked around.
Norah's face changed.
“She was here five minutes ago.”
They searched the kitchen.
Restrooms.
Service hall.
Nothing.
Then Norah found Lily's phone on the back staircase.
A message glowed on the screen.
I KNOW WHERE THE ORIGINAL RECORDS ARE. DON'T TELL DOMINIC.
Sent from Leo's number.
Norah turned toward the dining room.
Leo Grant was gone too.
May you like
And suddenly the manager who had spent two weeks avoiding Norah no longer looked frightened.
He looked involved.
