Chapter 4 - The Man Who Came Back to Finish the Job
Leo pulled Clara behind the counter.
“What are you doing?”
“Stay down.”
The sedan sped away.
No attack came.
Marco was already on his phone.
“Get the plate.”
Clara stood.
“What was that?”
Leo’s face had become cold.
“Someone watching.”
“Who?”
“Probably Vincent Moretti.”
Clara stared.
“The man who tried to kill you?”
Leo looked at her.
“How do you know that?”
“Your friend talks loudly.”
Marco lowered his phone.
“I do not.”
“You absolutely do.”
Leo almost smiled.
Then Marco said, “If Moretti followed us here, Clara’s exposed.”
Clara’s amusement vanished.
“Exposed to what?”
Leo didn’t answer quickly enough.
She understood.
“You brought this to my workplace.”
“I didn’t know we were followed.”
“But you knew it was possible.”
“Yes.”
Clara grabbed her coat.
“I’m getting Owen.”
Leo stopped her.
“You’re not going alone.”
“You’ve done enough.”
“Clara.”
“No.”
Leo stepped closer.
“For the next few hours, hate me from inside an armored car.”
She stared at him.
“That might be the most ridiculous sentence anyone has ever said to me.”
“Get used to Marco.”
Marco sighed.
Twenty minutes later, Clara rushed into her apartment.
“Owen?”
He emerged from his room.
“What happened?”
“We’re leaving.”
“Why?”
“Pack a bag.”
Then Owen noticed Leo.
“Who’s that?”
Clara hesitated.
“The man I donated blood to.”
Owen stared.
“You donated blood?”
“Surprise.”
Leo extended a hand.
“Leo.”
Owen shook it.
“You’re the reason she looked like death Tuesday?”
“Apparently.”
“Then I don’t like you.”
Leo nodded.
“Fair.”
Clara almost smiled.
Then Owen suddenly coughed.
Once.
Twice.
His breathing tightened.
Clara’s expression changed instantly.
“Owen?”
“I’m okay.”
“You’re wheezing.”
She searched his backpack.
“Where’s your inhaler?”
“Empty.”
“What?”
“I was going to tell you.”
“When?”
“When you stopped worrying about money.”
Clara froze.
Leo watched her face collapse.
“Owen—”
“I knew how much the prescriptions cost.”
“You never ration medication. Ever.”
“I didn’t want you borrowing more money.”
Clara pulled him into her arms.
Leo turned toward Marco.
“Call St. Jude’s.”
Clara looked up.
“We can handle it.”
Leo met her eyes.
“This isn’t repayment.”
“What is it?”
“Helping.”
Minutes later, they were moving.
At the hospital, doctors stabilized Owen.
Clara sat outside his room.
Leo lowered himself into the chair beside her.
“You should go home,” she said.
“So should you.”
“He’s my brother.”
“And you’re exhausted.”
Silence.
Finally Clara asked, “Why does Moretti want you dead?”
“Power.”
“That simple?”
“Usually.”
“And now he knows about me.”
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“I should never have donated that blood.”
Leo absorbed the words.
Then Clara continued.
“But I’d do it again.”
He looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because when I stepped forward, you weren’t Leo Salvatore.”
She met his eyes.
“You were just somebody dying.”
Leo said nothing.
A doctor emerged.
“Ms. Hayes?”
Clara stood.
“Owen’s stable.”
Her knees nearly gave way.
Leo caught her arm.
The doctor smiled.
“He’ll be fine.”
Clara closed her eyes.
Then Marco’s phone rang.
His expression hardened.
“Leo.”
“What?”
“We found Moretti.”
Leo stood.
Marco continued.
May you like
“And he knows Clara is here.”
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