Chapter 6 - The Woman Who Wouldn't Be Owned
Three weeks later, Elena Marsh returned.
Not Elena Voss.
Marsh.
She changed her hospital records first.
Then her lease.
Then her driver's license.
Danielle hugged her when the new badge arrived.
“Welcome back, Elena Marsh.”
Elena looked at the name.
It no longer felt dangerous.
That evening, she found Lucian waiting outside Harbor Mercy.
Black sedan.
Dark coat.
Two men keeping their distance.
Elena stopped.
“You're stalking a trauma nurse outside her workplace.”
“I was told flowers would be more suspicious.”
“Who told you that?”
“Matteo.”
“Fire Matteo.”
“I consider it daily.”
She smiled.
Lucian opened the passenger door.
“Dinner?”
“Is that an order?”
“No.”
“A favor?”
“No.”
“What then?”
“A request.”
Elena pretended to consider it.
“Better.”
They went to a small Italian restaurant instead of one of Lucian's expensive properties.
No private room.
No entourage at the table.
Just pasta and conversation.
Halfway through dinner, Elena asked, “Why did you really come through my window?”
Lucian put down his glass.
“I told you.”
“Convenient fire escape?”
“Yes.”
“I don't believe you.”
He sighed.
“My driver was killed. I was injured. Salerno's men were behind me. Your window was the only one without a light.”
“So pure chance.”
“Yes.”
Elena leaned back.
“That's disappointing.”
Lucian raised an eyebrow.
“You were hoping destiny threw me through your kitchen window?”
“I was hoping your criminal organization had better planning.”
He laughed.
Then his expression softened.
“I did choose your apartment for one reason.”
“What?”
“I saw the hospital badge through the window.”
Elena stared at him.
“You knew I was a nurse?”
“I was bleeding. I took the opportunity.”
“You manipulated me.”
“I made an educated decision.”
“You climbed through my window.”
“A detail.”
“A felony-shaped detail.”
“Possibly.”
Elena laughed.
Then Lucian became serious.
“I owe you my life.”
“No.”
“Elena—”
“I did my job.”
“You weren't at work.”
“Still doesn't mean you owe me.”
“Then what do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
He studied her.
That answer seemed harder for him than any demand would have been.
“People always want something from you, don't they?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“Money?”
“Usually.”
“Protection?”
“Often.”
“Power?”
“Always.”
“And you don't understand someone helping without asking for payment.”
Lucian looked at her.
“No.”
Elena reached across the table.
“Learn.”
He looked at her hand.
Then took it.
A month later, Garrett pleaded not guilty.
Two months later, three officers from North River were charged.
Four months later, Garrett changed his plea after recordings, financial records, and witness testimony made conviction unavoidable.
Elena testified.
Garrett stared at her across the courtroom.
“You ruined my life.”
Elena answered calmly.
“No.”
The prosecutor glanced at her.
Elena continued.
“You finally had to answer for what you did with it.”
Garrett had no reply.
Outside the courthouse, Lucian waited beside the steps.
He didn't ask how it went.
He could see.
Elena approached him.
“It's finished.”
“Good.”
“What now?”
Lucian looked toward his car.
“I know a restaurant.”
“You always know a restaurant.”
“This one has excellent dessert.”
“That changes everything.”
They started walking.
Then Elena stopped.
“Lucian.”
He turned.
“You've never asked me to stay.”
His expression became careful.
“I didn't think I had the right.”
“You don't.”
Lucian nodded.
Elena stepped closer.
“But you can ask.”
He understood.
For perhaps the first time in his life, Lucian Moretti looked uncertain.
“Elena Marsh.”
“Yes?”
“Will you stay?”
She smiled.
“Yes.”
May you like
Then she kissed him.
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