Chapter 4 - The Deal at Romano’s
Victor Kane called Emma’s phone at 8:13 that evening.
Adrian answered.
“Emma Hartley’s phone.”
Silence.
Then Victor laughed.
“Moretti.”
“Victor.”
“I heard the waitress found herself a bodyguard.”
“She found an unlocked door.”
“Lucky girl.”
Adrian’s eyes met Emma’s.
“What do you want?”
“My property.”
“You mean the notebook.”
Marcus sat across the room, looking sick.
Victor became quiet.
“So you have it.”
“I do now.”
“Midnight. Romano’s. Bring the book and Marcus.”
“And Emma stays here.”
“No.”
Adrian’s expression darkened.
Victor continued.
“Emma comes too.”
“Why?”
“Insurance.”
Adrian said nothing.
Victor laughed again.
“Midnight.”
The call ended.
Emma immediately said, “I’m going.”
“No.”
“If I don’t, he won’t come.”
“That’s preferable.”
“Then this never ends.”
“It ends.”
“How?”
Adrian looked toward Marcus.
Marcus swallowed.
“Don’t look at me.”
Emma stepped toward Adrian.
“You said we solve the problem.”
“I said that before Victor requested you as part of the exchange.”
“And?”
“And you’re not currency.”
The words silenced her.
Marcus looked between them.
“Oh, this is unbelievable.”
Emma glared at him.
“What?”
“You’ve known this guy twenty-four hours.”
“And he’s respected the word no more times than you did in four years.”
Marcus had no answer.
At 11:58 p.m., Romano’s was closed.
Emma stood beside Adrian in the darkened dining room.
She had won the argument.
Barely.
“You stay beside me,” Adrian said.
“I know.”
“If I tell you to leave—”
“I leave.”
“If something happens—”
“Adrian.”
He looked at her.
“I understand.”
Victor entered with four men.
He was in his late forties, broad and smiling.
Marcus stood near the bar under guard.
Victor looked at Emma.
“So this is the famous waitress.”
Emma said nothing.
Victor turned to Adrian.
“The book.”
Adrian placed it on a table.
Victor reached for it.
Adrian covered it with one hand.
“First, Marcus’s debt disappears.”
Victor smiled.
“Fine.”
“You stay away from Emma.”
“Fine.”
“You remove her name and address from every record associated with your operation.”
Victor’s smile faded.
“You’re asking a lot for somebody you met yesterday.”
Adrian’s expression remained calm.
“I’m not asking.”
Victor stared at him.
Then nodded.
“Done.”
Adrian slid the notebook forward.
Victor opened it.
His face changed.
The pages were blank.
He looked up.
“What is this?”
“A notebook.”
“Where are the records?”
“With my attorney.”
Victor’s men shifted.
Adrian continued.
“And copies are somewhere considerably safer.”
“You think you can threaten me?”
“No.”
Adrian adjusted his cuff.
“I’m explaining why Emma Hartley will become the safest waitress in New York. If anything happens to her, your records reach people who would find them fascinating.”
Victor’s smile disappeared completely.
Marcus whispered, “Jesus.”
Emma looked at Adrian.
Victor slammed the notebook shut.
“You planned this.”
“Obviously.”
“You’re starting a war over some girl who climbed into your car?”
Adrian looked at Emma.
Then back at Victor.
“No.”
“You started this when you threatened her.”
Victor stepped closer.
For several seconds, neither man spoke.
Finally Victor laughed.
“Fine.”
He looked at Marcus.
“But I want him.”
Marcus went pale.
“No.”
Emma spoke before Adrian could.
Victor turned.
Emma stepped forward.
“Marcus walks too.”
Marcus stared at her.
“Emma…”
She didn’t look at him.
Victor scoffed.
“After everything he did?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Emma finally looked at Marcus.
“Because when I walk away from him tonight, I want it to be my choice.”
Marcus’s eyes lowered.
Adrian studied her.
Then said, “Marcus leaves.”
Victor shook his head.
“You’re getting sentimental.”
Adrian’s voice stayed flat.
“Don’t confuse restraint with weakness.”
Victor looked around the room.
He was outnumbered.
And he knew it.
“Fine.”
He pointed at Marcus.
“If I ever see you near one of my games again—”
“You won’t,” Marcus said quickly.
Victor turned toward the door.
Then paused beside Emma.
“You picked an interesting car.”
Emma looked at Adrian.
“Yes.”
She said quietly:
May you like
“I did.”
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