Chapter 6 - THE SAFE HOUSEThe safe house wasn't fancy—just an abandoned industrial loft on the edge of the Chicago River, smelling of rust, stagnant water, and old concrete. It was a property Adrian had kept off the books, secured under a shell corporation that Calder’s faction hadn't managed to compromise.
I dumped a first-aid kit onto a battered metal table and ripped open a pack of sterile gauze.
"Hold still," I snapped, pouring rubbing alcohol directly over the jagged bullet wound in Adrian’s forearm.
Adrian hissed through his teeth, his knuckles turning white as he gripped the edge of the table. Sweat dripped down his temples, but he didn't pull away.
"You didn't have to save me, you know," Adrian said, watching my hands work with ruthless, practiced efficiency. "You could have locked the door, hid in the basement, and let Calder finish me. You would have kept your quiet little life."
"And let a bunch of corporate psychopaths murder an innocent witness right in front of me?" I looked up, my eyes narrowing. "Besides, you brought blood onto my clean floor. That's a capital offense in the diner business."
A faint, tired smile touched his lips. "You haven't lost your touch, Elena. Fourteen years ago, when you vanished from Berlin after the safe house went up in flames, the agency thought you were dead. They said Elena Vance walked into the fire."
"The agency lied to protect its own corruption, just like they're doing now," I said bitterly, wrapping the bandage tightly around his arm and securing it with medical tape. "I faked my death to get away from monsters like Calder—and men like you, Adrian."
Adrian didn't flinch at the accusation. He leaned back against the brick wall, staring into the shadows. "Men like me built the world you're trying to hide in. But right now, we have a common enemy. Calder didn't act alone. He answered to the board chairman—Victor Vance."
My hands froze. The name hit me like a physical blow.
Victor Vance.
My uncle. The man who had ordered my execution fourteen years ago when I refused to sign off on the very same human trafficking ring.
"He's alive," I whispered, the blood draining from my face.
"Very much alive," Adrian said grimly. "And tomorrow night, the entire board is gathering for a private gala at the Valenti Hotel downtown to finalize the merger. If we hit them there, we take down the whole syndicate in one stroke."
May you like
I stared at the medical kit, then slowly reached into my pocket and pulled out the heavy safety deposit box key I had taken from Calder.
"Then let's RSVP," I said.
