Chapter 5 - The Price of Walking Away
Adrian wanted to move us immediately.
Then somebody threw a brick through our front window.
Wrapped around the brick was a menu from the Carrington Hotel.
Five names were written across it.
Vanessa.
Celeste.
Mara.
Bianca.
Evelyn.
One was crossed out.
Mine had been written beneath them.
Liya.
Adrian called his security chief, Marco Bell.
Within fifteen minutes, three vehicles arrived.
Mom was moved to a private oncology residence under Dr. Rice's supervision.
I went with Adrian to a secure apartment he kept in Georgetown.
That evening, someone arrived at the apartment.
Celeste Russo.
She was taller than me, dressed in cream wool, with the kind of calm that came from never checking a price tag.
"Leave Washington," she said.
I stared at the number.
"Is this your idea?"
"No."
"Adrian's?"
"He'd probably throw me out a window if he knew."
Adrian's voice came from behind her.
"Tempting."
Celeste didn't turn.
"You always were dramatic."
He took the check and tore it in half.
She sighed.
"That was unnecessary."
"Why are you here?"
Celeste finally looked at me.
"Because my father expects me to marry Adrian, and I would rather marry a parking meter."
I blinked.
She continued.
"But Salvatore needs one of the five families tied to Adrian before the annual council vote. If Adrian refuses us all, his uncle loses leverage."
"So why pay me to leave?"
"I wasn't paying you to leave Adrian."
May you like
Her expression sharpened.
"I was paying you to disappear before Salvatore decides you're the easiest way to control him.
