Chapter 5 - THE FIRST BETRAYAL
Claire returned to the Hale estate under heavy security.
Nicholas insisted on accompanying her.
Vincent was waiting inside.
He looked exhausted.
His tie was loose.
His face was pale.
“Claire.”
She stopped.
“What are you doing here?”
“I need to talk.”
“You've said that before.”
“This is different.”
Nicholas stepped forward.
Vincent's eyes narrowed.
“You brought Moretti into my home?”
Claire answered calmly.
“It's my home too.”
Vincent looked between them.
“You have no idea what you're getting involved with.”
Claire almost smiled.
“That's interesting coming from you.”
Vincent lowered his voice.
“Claire, leave Chicago.”
She froze.
“Why?”
“Because you're in danger.”
“From whom?”
He didn't answer.
“Vincent.”
He looked away.
“Black Harbor.”
Claire's heart stopped.
“You know them?”
“I know enough.”
“Then tell me everything.”
Vincent rubbed his face.
“I made mistakes.”
“That isn't an answer.”
“I borrowed money.”
“How much?”
“Enough.”
“From them?”
“Yes.”
Claire stared.
The company debt.
The shell accounts.
Sloane.
Everything suddenly connected.
“Did you use my father's assets as collateral?”
Vincent's silence answered.
Claire stepped backward.
“You did.”
“I didn't know the trust existed.”
“You transferred company properties.”
“I was trying to save the business.”
“You were stealing from me.”
Vincent looked ashamed.
“I was desperate.”
Claire's voice became colder.
“You stood on a stage and told five hundred people you never loved me.”
“I thought it would protect you.”
“What?”
“If Black Harbor believed I had abandoned you, they wouldn't use you against me.”
Claire stared at him.
“You humiliated me to protect me?”
“Yes.”
“Then why Sloane?”
Vincent closed his eyes.
“She was working with them.”
Claire froze.
“What?”
“I knew she was investigating us. I thought I could use her.”
“Use her for what?”
“To find out who controlled Black Harbor.”
Claire's anger faltered.
“So you weren't having an affair?”
“No.”
“Did you love her?”
“No.”
“Then why say you were leaving me for her?”
Vincent looked at Claire.
“Because I needed everyone to believe it.”
Nicholas interrupted.
“Too late.”
Vincent looked at him.
“What do you mean?”
Nicholas's phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“Claire.”
“What?”
“Your father's trust has been accessed again.”
“By whom?”
Nicholas looked at Vincent.
“Someone using Vincent's credentials.”
Vincent went pale.
“I didn't do that.”
“I believe you,” Nicholas said.
“Then who did?”
A security alarm suddenly sounded.
Daniel rushed into the room.
“Mrs. Hale, the east gate has been breached.”
Nicholas immediately moved in front of Claire.
“Take her upstairs.”
Vincent stepped forward.
“No.”
Nicholas looked at him.
“Why?”
“Because I know where they're going.”
The first gunshot cracked through the estate.
Windows shattered.
Security personnel rushed into the hallway.
Claire's heart pounded.
Nicholas grabbed her hand.
“Stay behind me.”
They moved through the corridor.
Vincent followed.
Suddenly, a man appeared at the end of the hall.
He raised a weapon.
Vincent pushed Claire aside.
The shot struck him in the shoulder.
“Vincent!”
He collapsed against the wall.
Claire ran toward him.
Nicholas shouted.
“Don't!”
Another shot struck the floor.
Nicholas returned fire.
The attacker disappeared.
Security rushed forward.
Claire knelt beside Vincent.
Blood spread across his shirt.
“Why did you do that?”
Vincent looked at her.
“Because I'm still your husband.”
Claire shook her head.
“Not anymore.”
He smiled weakly.
“I know.”
Then he passed out.
An ambulance arrived.
Claire watched them carry him away.
Nicholas stood beside her.
“You still care about him.”
Claire looked at him.
“I care that he almost died.”
“That isn't the same thing.”
“No.”
She looked toward the dark road outside.
“It isn't.”
Later that night, Claire received a message.
Your husband was never the real target.
A second message followed.
You are.
Then a third.
Ask Nicholas what happened in Palermo.
Claire stared at the screen.
She slowly turned toward Nicholas.
“What happened in Palermo?”
His face became unreadable.
“Who told you?”
“The person who is hunting me.”
Nicholas said nothing.
Claire's voice hardened.
“Tell me.”
He looked at her.
“Your father wasn't the only person who saved my life.”
“Who else?”
Nicholas paused.
“Someone from your family.”
Claire felt a chill.
“Who?”
May you like
Nicholas looked toward the dark window.
“Your mother.”
