Chapter 6 - The Price of Walking Away
Victor Hale was arrested before his plane left the ground.
The evidence reached prosecutors, financial investigators, and enough attorneys that making it disappear became impossible.
But Adrian paid a price.
Several businesses were investigated.
Accounts were frozen.
Old allies disappeared.
Men who had respected his father called Adrian weak.
Adrian didn't care.
At least, that was what he told everyone.
Three weeks later, Marin found him alone in his office.
“You missed dinner.”
“Working.”
“You missed dinner yesterday.”
“Also working.”
“Ivy made spaghetti.”
Adrian looked up.
“From scratch?”
“She opened the jar herself.”
“Impressive.”
“She also made you something.”
Marin placed a folded piece of paper on his desk.
Adrian opened it.
A child's drawing.
Three figures holding hands.
Marin.
Ivy.
Adrian.
Above them was a crooked house.
Adrian stared at it.
“She forgot perspective,” Marin said softly.
He didn't laugh.
“Why am I there?”
Marin studied him.
“You really don't know?”
He looked at her.
“She waits for you.”
Adrian's eyes returned to the drawing.
“She asks whether you're coming home for dinner.”
“Home.”
“Yes.”
“This isn't your home.”
Marin leaned against the desk.
“Funny. Ivy seems to disagree.”
Adrian stood.
“Marin, when this is finished—”
“It is finished.”
“No.”
“Hale is in custody.”
“Men like Hale aren't the only problem.”
“What are you saying?”
Adrian walked toward the window.
“That you should take Ivy somewhere else.”
Marin stared at him.
“You want us gone?”
“I want you safe.”
“Those aren't the same thing.”
“They are in my world.”
She approached him.
“Look at me.”
He didn't.
“Adrian.”
Finally, he turned.
“You think sending us away protects us?”
“Yes.”
“You think disappearing from Ivy's life protects her?”
His jaw tightened.
“She'll forget me.”
“No.”
“She should.”
“Stop deciding what other people should feel.”
His voice rose.
“You don't understand what I am!”
The room went silent.
Marin didn't move.
“Then tell me.”
Adrian breathed slowly.
“My father taught me that everyone has a price. Loyalty. Friendship. Love. All transactions.”
“And?”
“I believed him.”
“Until?”
Adrian looked at her.
“An exhausted waitress found me bleeding in an alley.”
Marin's eyes softened.
“She opened my wallet,” he continued. “She had almost nothing. And she took nothing.”
His voice dropped.
“Then her daughter gave me the most important thing she owned because she thought I might have nightmares.”
Marin blinked back tears.
Adrian shook his head.
“I don't know what to do with that.”
“You don't have to do anything.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No. You just stop running from it.”
He looked at her.
“I'm not good at this.”
“I noticed.”
A reluctant smile appeared.
Marin stepped closer.
“You want to protect us?”
“Yes.”
“Then be here.”
“That simple?”
“No.”
She took his hand.
“But simple and easy aren't the same thing.”
Adrian looked down at their joined hands.
Then the office door opened.
Ivy stood there.
“Are you fighting?”
Marin immediately released him.
“No.”
Ivy looked suspicious.
“Because Luca said you're both stubborn.”
Adrian sighed.
“Luca talks too much.”
Ivy walked toward him carrying Mr. Pickles.
“Are we leaving?”
Adrian crouched.
He looked at Marin.
Then at Ivy.
“No.”
Ivy smiled.
“Good.”
“Why?”
“Because your refrigerator still needs drawings.”
She handed him another picture.
Adrian took it.
Then Ivy hugged him.
He froze.
Only for a second.
Then his arms closed around her.
Marin watched something inside the most guarded man she'd ever met finally surrender.
Not to fear.
May you like
To belonging.
---
