Chapter 3 - Six Months, No Love
Claire did not sign because she trusted Ethan.
She signed because Ryan had taught her what happened when one person held all the leverage.
This time, she intended to hold some too.
They married at Boston City Hall that afternoon with two witnesses: Ethan’s attorney, Nora Feld, and an elderly clerk who kept calling Claire “sweetheart.”
When the clerk said, “You may kiss,” Claire and Ethan spoke at the same time.
“No.”
The clerk sighed. “Young people.”
Outside, Ethan handed Claire a key card.
“My apartment has a private guest wing.”
“I’m not moving into your bedroom.”
“I would consider that a breach of contract and common sense.”
For the first time in twenty-four hours, Claire smiled.
It disappeared when a black SUV pulled to the curb.
Ryan stepped out.
His face went pale when he saw the marriage certificate in Claire’s hand.
“You married him?”
Claire lifted her chin. “You don’t get to sound betrayed.”
Ryan looked at Ethan. “You have no idea what she’s like.”
Ethan’s expression stayed calm. “I know exactly what you’re like. That seems more relevant.”
Ryan moved closer. “This is about me?”
“No,” Claire said. “That’s probably what bothers you most.”
She got into Ethan’s car.
The apartment was not an apartment. It occupied the top three floors of a glass tower overlooking the harbor.
Claire stopped in the foyer. “What do you do?”
“Investments.”
“That answer is suspiciously vague.”
“I’m told vagueness creates mystique.”
A house manager named Mrs. Keene showed Claire a suite larger than her childhood home.
On the desk waited a laptop, a temporary Northbridge consulting contract, and a note.
YOUR CAREER SHOULD NOT BE COLLATERAL DAMAGE. - E.V.
Claire found Ethan in the kitchen.
“You got me the Northbridge job?”
“I removed a threat. Their decision was still theirs.”
“You can just do that?”
“Sometimes.”
Before she could ask more, every light in the apartment went out.
A red emergency strip illuminated the floor.
Ethan’s entire body changed.
He shoved Claire behind the marble island as glass shattered in the living room.
“Stay down.”
A suppressed gunshot cracked through the dark.
Claire froze.
Ethan drew a pistol from beneath the counter.
Investments, she thought.
Sure.
May you like
Then a voice came through the darkness from the hallway.
“Mr. Vale, your uncle says congratulations on the wedding.”
