Chapter 3 - Four Men Walked Into the Diner
At 9:17 the next morning, the Starlight Diner became silent.
Four black cars stopped outside.
Clara noticed because everyone noticed.
Men in dark suits stepped onto the sidewalk.
Then one man emerged from the second car.
Tall.
Black coat.
Dark hair.
His movements were controlled, but Clara noticed something strange.
He moved like his abdomen hurt.
The door opened.
Conversation died.
Her manager whispered, “Oh God.”
Clara looked at him.
“What?”
“That’s Leo Salvatore.”
“Who?”
He stared at her.
“You seriously don’t know?”
“No.”
“Just… don’t make eye contact.”
Leo walked directly toward Clara.
She held a coffee pot.
“Can I help you?”
“Yes.”
“What can I get you?”
“Nothing.”
“Then you’re taking up a booth during breakfast.”
Marco nearly coughed.
Every customer watched.
Leo studied Clara.
“You’re Clara Hayes.”
She tightened her grip on the pot.
“How do you know my name?”
“You were at St. Jude’s three nights ago.”
Clara stared.
Then her eyes dropped to his abdomen.
Understanding hit.
“You.”
“Yes.”
“You’re the man from the ambulance.”
“Yes.”
Clara glanced around.
“And all these people?”
“Mine.”
“Why?”
“I wanted to thank you.”
“You could’ve sent a card.”
Marco turned away to hide a smile.
Leo pulled an envelope from his coat.
Clara immediately shook her head.
“No.”
“You haven’t opened it.”
“I know what’s inside.”
“Do you?”
“Money.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
Leo looked genuinely confused.
“You need money.”
Her expression hardened.
“You investigated me?”
“I needed to know who saved my life.”
“That didn’t give you permission to investigate mine.”
Marco quietly said, “Leo.”
Leo ignored him.
“Clara—”
“I gave blood because someone was dying.”
She pushed the envelope back toward him.
“I didn’t buy stock in you.”
For several seconds, Leo said nothing.
Then the diner door opened.
Donnie Rizzo walked inside.
“Clara!”
He stopped.
His face drained of color.
Leo turned.
“Rizzo.”
Donnie swallowed.
“Mr. Salvatore.”
Clara looked between them.
“You know each other?”
Leo answered without looking away from Donnie.
“Unfortunately.”
Donnie backed toward the door.
“I can come back.”
“No.”
Leo’s voice remained calm.
“You came for five hundred dollars.”
Donnie looked at Clara.
Then Marco.
Then Leo.
“It’s business.”
“You threatened her brother.”
“I didn’t—”
Leo stepped closer.
“Choose your next sentence carefully.”
Donnie went silent.
Clara moved between them.
“Stop.”
Everyone looked at her.
Even Leo.
“I owe him money.”
“Not anymore,” Leo said.
Clara frowned.
“What did you do?”
“I purchased the debt.”
“You what?”
“Donnie now owes me.”
Donnie looked miserable.
Clara stared at Leo.
“You had no right.”
“I prevented him from threatening Owen.”
“You don’t get to take over my life because I helped you.”
Leo’s jaw tightened.
“I was trying to protect you.”
“I didn’t ask.”
The diner became painfully quiet.
Then Donnie suddenly spoke.
“Can I go?”
Leo looked at him.
“You will never speak to Clara or Owen again.”
Donnie nodded immediately.
“Understood.”
“Say it to her.”
Donnie turned.
“The debt’s finished.”
“And?”
“I won’t bother you again.”
He hurried outside.
Clara folded her arms.
Leo expected gratitude.
Instead she said:
“I’m still angry with you.”
Marco looked at Leo.
Leo stared at Clara.
Then, unexpectedly, he laughed.
It hurt his stitches enough that he immediately stopped.
Clara noticed.
“You’re injured.”
“I’ve been informed.”
“You should be in bed.”
“I’ve also been informed.”
“Then why are you standing in my diner?”
Leo’s smile faded.
“Because you gave me something I couldn’t buy.”
Clara looked at him.
“My blood?”
“No.”
His voice softened.
“A reason to believe somebody could do something without wanting anything back.”
For the first time, Clara had no quick answer.
Then a crash sounded outside.
Marco turned sharply toward the window.
Leo’s expression changed instantly.
A black sedan had stopped across the street.
The passenger window lowered.
Marco grabbed Leo.
May you like
“Move.”
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