Chapter 5 - The Order That Changed Everything
Police surrounded the warehouse before dawn.
Lucian hated every second of waiting.
Ara knew because his blood pressure told her.
“Stop watching the clock.”
“My problem is currently inside a building six miles away.”
“Your problem is currently inside your chest.”
“Ara.”
“Lucian.”
He stared at her.
“You enjoy this.”
“What?”
“Telling me no.”
“More than I should.”
At 5:12 a.m., Ward called.
Matteo had surrendered.
Kessler had too.
Nobody had been killed.
Bruno actually looked disappointed.
Lucian looked relieved.
Ara noticed.
“You wanted them alive.”
“I wanted answers.”
“Same result.”
“No.”
Lucian looked toward the rain-covered window.
“Not always.”
---
Ward arrived two hours later.
The truth was worse than anyone expected.
Matteo had been stealing from Maro-controlled companies for years.
Lucian had begun an internal audit.
Matteo panicked.
Kessler owed enormous gambling debts and had agreed to provide medical information after the shooting.
The ambush was designed to look like a rival attack.
If Lucian survived long enough to reach a hospital, Kessler was supposed to make sure the attackers knew where to find him.
Ara folded her arms.
“So I became involved by accident.”
Ward nodded.
“You ruined their backup plan.”
Lucian looked at Ara.
“She seems to enjoy ruining plans.”
“I specialize in it.”
Ward continued.
“Kessler is cooperating. Matteo is asking for counsel.”
Lucian asked, “And Anthony?”
Ward’s expression softened.
“The evidence indicates he wasn't involved.”
Lucian looked away.
His driver had died protecting him.
The room fell quiet.
Then Lucian said, “His daughters get everything promised to him.”
Bruno nodded.
“Already arranged.”
Ara watched Lucian.
He caught her looking.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
“That wasn't nothing.”
“I'm adjusting my opinion.”
“Upward?”
“Don't get excited.”
---
Two days later, Ara signed Lucian's discharge paperwork.
“You're medically cleared.”
Lucian stood slowly.
He was dressed again in dark trousers and a burgundy jacket Bruno had brought him.
His tattoos showed above the open collar of his black shirt.
Bruno waited outside.
Lucian looked at the paperwork.
“So that's it?”
“That’s generally what discharge means.”
“I expected more.”
“Medication schedule. Wound care. No heavy lifting.”
“I meant from you.”
Ara stopped.
Lucian continued.
“You saved my life.”
“Yes.”
“You exposed the person helping my enemies.”
“Technically hospital security did.”
“You stopped me from making several bad decisions.”
“Several?”
“I'm being generous to myself.”
Ara smiled despite herself.
Lucian stepped closer.
“What happens now?”
“You go home.”
“And you?”
“I work.”
“With guards.”
“No.”
“Ara.”
“No.”
“Matteo wasn't necessarily the only threat.”
“The police have him.”
“And there are other people who dislike me.”
“I'm shocked.”
Lucian smiled.
“I want protection on you.”
“I want normal life.”
“I can't guarantee that anymore.”
Ara's expression hardened.
“Then hear this carefully.”
Lucian waited.
“You don't get to save my life by taking control of it.”
Silence.
Then Lucian nodded.
“Okay.”
Ara hadn't expected that.
“Okay?”
“No guards.”
“Really?”
“No guards you don't approve.”
“Lucian.”
“I'm negotiating.”
“No guards.”
“One emergency number.”
She considered it.
“Fine.”
He handed her a card.
No name.
Just a number.
Ara looked at it.
“King of Spades?”
“Bruno's dramatic.”
She laughed.
Lucian reached the doorway.
Then stopped.
“Ara.”
“Yes?”
“Dinner.”
“No.”
“Coffee.”
“No.”
“Breakfast.”
“No.”
“Eventually?”
She looked at him.
“Recover first.”
His smile changed.
“That isn't a no.”
“Get out of my hospital, Mr. Maro.”
May you like
“Yes, Doctor.”
For once, Lucian Maro obeyed.
