Chapter 3 - James Left Clara One Rule
James and I met in Boston.
He never introduced himself as a Cole.
To me, he was James Carter for almost five months.
By the time I learned the truth, I was already pregnant.
James was terrified.
Not of fatherhood.
Of his family.
He loved Adrian.
That was the contradiction.
“He said you would protect Nora,” I told Adrian.
“Then why hide her?”
“Because he said your version of protection destroys choices.”
Adrian went still.
James had given me one rule.
If anything happens to me, do not let Adrian know about the baby until
you understand what happened.
At the time, I thought he was being paranoid.
Then his car went off the road.
Three men connected to the Moretti organization vanished within
forty-eight hours.
I read the rumors.
I changed apartments.
I changed jobs.
I gave Nora my surname.
Adrian stared at me.
“You thought I killed those men.”
“I thought you might have.”
His expression hardened.
“I did not.”
I said nothing.
He understood immediately.
“You don’t believe me.”
“I don’t know you well enough to believe you.”
For perhaps the first time in years, someone had said that to Adrian
Cole and remained standing.
May you like
He looked almost offended.
Then almost impressed.
