Chapter 3 - Breakfast With a Dangerous Man
Kayla read the message twice.
Then she looked at Gunther.
“You were being watched?”
“No.”
“But someone photographed me.”
“They were watching you.”
Her eyes widened.
Gunther immediately regretted saying it.
Victor arrived with four men.
The rehabilitation center was locked down.
Security footage showed Sam leaving voluntarily with a man wearing hospital scrubs.
No struggle.
No visible weapon.
“He knew him,” Kayla said.
Gunther agreed.
Victor showed her a still image.
“Recognize him?”
“No.”
Gunther did.
Anthony Bell.
Alive.
Sam had walked away with him willingly.
Kayla demanded answers.
Gunther finally gave her part of the truth.
Anthony had worked for him.
Anthony had stolen from him.
Anthony had disappeared.
He omitted the bloodier details.
Kayla understood enough.
“My brother knew one of your criminals.”
“Yes.”
“And you never told me what you actually do.”
“You never asked.”
She stared at him.
“You think that's funny?”
“No.”
“Are you Mafia?”
Victor looked away.
Gunther's face remained still.
“People use different names.”
Kayla laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“I clean the bedroom of a mob boss.”
“You've been doing that for three years.”
“I thought you owned shipping companies.”
“I do.”
“And?”
“And other things.”
She stepped backward.
Gunther saw fear enter her face.
He hated it.
Not because fear was unusual.
Fear was useful.
But hers felt different.
“Kayla.”
“Don't.”
Victor's phone rang.
He answered.
Then handed it to Gunther.
“It's Sam.”
Kayla grabbed it first.
“Sam?”
“I'm okay.”
She nearly collapsed.
“Where are you?”
“I can't tell you.”
“Why?”
“Because Anthony says Gunther has a traitor.”
Gunther took the phone.
“Put Bell on.”
Seconds later, another voice appeared.
“Hello, Gunther.”
Gunther's eyes became ice.
“Anthony.”
“It's been a long time.”
“If Samuel gets hurt—”
“He won't.”
“Where are you?”
Anthony laughed softly.
“You still think this is about money.”
“What is it about?”
“Ask Victor.”
Gunther turned.
Victor's face went still.
Anthony continued.
“Ask him who ordered the hit that put Samuel Hughes in a wheelchair.”
Gunther stared at his oldest friend.
Victor whispered:
“Gabe—”
The call ended.
Kayla looked between them.
“What does that mean?”
Gunther did not answer.
May you like
Because Victor had reached slowly inside his jacket.
And when his hand came back out, he was holding—
