Chapter 6 - What Remained After the Storm
Three months later, Adrian returned to Gwen's workshop.
Alone.
No convoy.
No security team.
Just a black pickup truck.
Gwen looked underneath the hood.
“You bought this?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I was advised five black SUVs create the wrong impression.”
She looked at him.
“Who gave you that brilliant advice?”
“A mechanic.”
She smiled.
Adrian leaned against the truck.
Victor had been indicted.
The maintenance contractor had cooperated.
Several Moretti businesses had been investigated.
Adrian had surrendered records voluntarily.
Some businesses closed.
Others survived.
The legitimate ones grew.
For the first time in decades, the Moretti name was appearing in newspapers for reasons that didn't require anonymous sources.
Gwen wiped her hands.
“So what's wrong with it?”
“Nothing.”
She stared.
“You drove three hours to bring me a truck that isn't broken?”
“Yes.”
“Adrian.”
“I wanted coffee.”
“There are coffee shops in Boston.”
“Not good ones.”
“Now you're insulting an entire city.”
He smiled.
She studied him.
The expensive suit was gone.
Dark jeans.
Black sweater.
Heavy coat.
He looked younger.
Less guarded.
“You look different,” she said.
“So do you.”
“I’m covered in grease.”
“You were covered in grease when we met.”
“And salt.”
“And someone else's blood.”
She pointed a wrench at him.
“Romantic.”
“I thought so.”
Her smile faded slightly.
“What are you doing here?”
Adrian became serious.
“I sold the waterfront warehouse.”
“Congratulations?”
“I bought something else.”
“What?”
“The abandoned marina beside your property.”
Gwen stared.
“You did what?”
“Before you become angry—”
“Too late.”
“—I want to rebuild it.”
“Why?”
“Commercial repair docks. Training program. Local employees.”
She folded her arms.
“You're opening a competing repair business beside mine?”
“No.”
He handed her a folder.
She opened it.
MILLER MARINE & MORETTI COASTAL RESTORATION.
Gwen looked up.
“You put my name first.”
“I've learned.”
“You expect me to partner with you?”
“I'm asking.”
“You're terrible at asking.”
Adrian nodded.
“Would you consider becoming my business partner?”
“No.”
His face fell.
Gwen continued.
“Not with that ownership split.”
He blinked.
She pointed at the document.
“Fifty-one percent you?”
“Capital investment—”
“My coast.”
“Fair.”
“My contacts.”
“Fair.”
“My reputation.”
“Also fair.”
“Fifty-one percent me.”
Adrian stared.
“You negotiate like a criminal.”
“I had a good teacher.”
He extended his hand.
“Deal.”
She shook it.
But neither released immediately.
Adrian looked at their hands.
Then at her.
“There's another reason I came.”
Gwen's expression changed.
“What?”
“I missed you.”
Simple.
No performance.
She looked away toward the ocean.
“You could have called.”
“I did.”
“You called twice.”
“Six times.”
“You left two messages.”
“I dislike voicemail.”
“You run corporations.”
“People answer when I call.”
“I don't.”
“I noticed.”
She smiled.
Adrian stepped closer.
“Dinner?”
“Is that a business meeting?”
“No.”
“Security detail?”
“No.”
“Armored convoy?”
“No.”
“Emergency helicopter?”
“Absolutely not.”
She considered him.
“Then yes.”
Adrian smiled.
“Tomorrow?”
“Tonight.”
That surprised him.
Gwen walked toward the workshop.
“You coming?”
“Where?”
“You wanted coffee.”
Adrian followed.
May you like
For once, Adrian Moretti didn't need to know what happened next.
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