Chapter 4 - The Trap at Union Station
Adrian wanted me nowhere near Union Station.
I disagreed.
“No.”
We were in his study.
“You’re staying here,” he said.
“I heard the clue.”
“And you gave it to me. Your involvement ends there.”
“You don’t get to order me around.”
“I absolutely do when someone is trying to kill you.”
“That isn't how adulthood works.”
“It is in my house.”
“Then I'll leave your house.”
Adrian swore under his breath.
Luca quietly exited.
Coward.
I folded my arms.
“Whatever happens at Union Station involves the person who betrayed you.”
“Yes.”
“And I can identify voices.”
“Yes.”
“Then I’m useful.”
“You're also the target.”
“So are you.”
“That’s different.”
“Because?”
“Because I'm accustomed to it!”
The room went quiet.
Adrian lowered his voice.
“You shouldn't have to become accustomed to it.”
That stopped me.
I heard him approach.
“I have spent my entire adult life knowing every dinner could be poisoned, every car could be followed, every friend could become an enemy.”
His hand touched mine.
“I will not make that your life.”
“You didn’t.”
I squeezed his fingers.
“Sloane did.”
Friday evening, we went to Union Station.
Adrian hated every second of it.
I wore a small earpiece.
Luca remained nearby.
“Claire,” Adrian whispered, “stay beside me.”
“You've said that fourteen times.”
“Fifteen.”
We entered the main hall.
Announcements echoed overhead.
Rolling luggage.
Shoes.
Conversations.
Thousands of sounds.
Then—
A voice.
“Platform twelve.”
My stomach tightened.
I knew it.
The alley.
“That’s him.”
Adrian's hand touched my back.
“Where?”
“Two o’clock. Maybe thirty feet.”
Adrian signaled Luca.
Then another voice came through the crowd.
“You brought her.”
Evan.
But Evan was supposed to be under guard.
Adrian swore.
Chaos erupted.
People shouted.
Footsteps rushed in multiple directions.
Adrian grabbed me.
“Move.”
We entered a service corridor.
A door slammed behind us.
“Luca?” I asked.
“Separated.”
Someone approached from ahead.
Slowly.
“Adrian.”
The voice belonged to an older man.
Victor Sloane.
“So this is Claire.”
Adrian moved in front of me.
“Walk away, Victor.”
“You always had one weakness.”
“What’s that?”
“You believe loyalty exists.”
Victor laughed.
“Your cousin sold you for two million dollars.”
“Cheap.”
“And now you've developed another weakness.”
I felt Adrian's hand tighten around mine.
Victor continued.
“Her.”
“No,” Adrian said.
“She isn't my weakness.”
“Then prove it.”
Silence.
“Leave her.”
Adrian answered immediately.
“No.”
Victor laughed again.
That laugh gave me something Adrian didn't have.
Direction.
Distance.
Position.
I whispered, “Fire alarm.”
“What?”
“Three steps left.”
Adrian understood.
We moved.
My cane struck the wall.
Then metal.
Alarm box.
I pulled it.
Sirens exploded through the station.
Emergency doors opened.
Crowds shifted.
Security converged.
Victor cursed.
Adrian pulled me through another doorway.
Minutes later, Luca found us.
“Sloane got away.”
Adrian asked, “Evan?”
“Caught.”
“Good.”
I leaned against the wall.
Adrian touched my face.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
“You're shaking.”
“So are you.”
“I am not.”
I placed my hand against his chest.
His heartbeat was racing.
“Liar.”
For once, Adrian Moretti had no response.
Then his forehead rested gently against mine.
“I almost lost you.”
“You didn’t.”
“Claire—”
“I'm here.”
His voice dropped.
May you like
“And that is becoming dangerously important to me.”
---
