Chapter 8 - The Night Tessa Disappeared
Tessa stepped onto the train.
Not because she intended to flee.
Because the doors were closing.
The stranger accelerated.
Tessa moved through the carriage.
Passengers blocked his path.
Her phone was already in her hand.
She called Roman.
He answered before the first ring finished.
“Tessa?”
“Someone’s following me.”
His voice changed instantly.
“Where?”
“Central Station. Montreal train.”
“Get off.”
“I can’t.”
“Which car?”
“Six.”
“I’m coming.”
The stranger entered Car Six.
Tessa continued moving.
She reached the connecting door.
Locked.
The man smiled.
Then another passenger stood.
Eleanor.
Tessa stared.
Her mother sprayed the stranger directly in the eyes.
He screamed.
Tessa kicked his gun beneath a seat.
Transit police rushed in seconds later.
Outside the station, Tessa turned on Eleanor.
“You followed me.”
“Yes.”
“You really have learned nothing.”
Eleanor lowered her head.
“I received the same photograph.”
Tessa showed her the image with Marcus.
“It’s real,” Eleanor said.
“Explain.”
“I met Marcus because he contacted me.”
“Why?”
“He said he wanted out.”
“Out of what?”
“Salvatore’s organization.”
Tessa stared.
“Marcus was working for him before Roman ever hired him?”
“Yes.”
The implications were enormous.
Marcus had grown up beside Roman.
If he had belonged to Salvatore that long, the betrayal went deeper than anyone knew.
Roman arrived minutes later.
He ran across the station concourse.
When he saw Tessa standing unharmed, something naked crossed his face.
Relief.
He stopped before touching her.
“Are you hurt?”
“No.”
Only then did she step into him.
Roman wrapped his arms around her.
It lasted perhaps three seconds.
It felt like five lost years.
Then Tessa pulled away.
“We need Marcus awake.”
At the hospital, Marcus regained consciousness under federal guard.
Roman stood outside the room.
“You don’t have to go in.”
“Yes, I do.”
Inside, Marcus looked smaller.
Tessa placed the photograph on his blanket.
“Why did you meet Eleanor?”
Marcus laughed weakly.
“To warn her.”
“About Salvatore?”
“About Roman.”
Roman stiffened.
Marcus looked toward him.
“You think your uncle was the only one lying?”
Roman entered.
“Careful.”
Marcus smiled.
“There he is.”
“Say what you mean.”
“Your father didn’t create the engagement contract.”
“We know.”
“I’m not talking about that.”
Marcus looked at Tessa.
“Vittorio created a second agreement.”
“What agreement?”
“One involving you.”
Roman frowned.
Marcus continued.
“Your father knew Roman would inherit the legitimate businesses. He also knew Tessa would inherit shares through Eleanor’s trust.”
Tessa said, “So?”
“So he wrote a contingency.”
Marcus’s smile vanished.
“If Roman ever wanted complete control of Castell Logistics, there was only one legal way to consolidate Tessa’s shares.”
Tessa felt cold.
“How?”
Marcus looked at Roman.
“Marriage.”
Silence.
Roman shook his head.
“I’ve never seen that agreement.”
“I know.”
“Then who has?”
Marcus looked toward the door.
“Your lawyer.”
Roman’s longtime attorney, Anthony DeLuca.
The man who had drafted every document Roman had signed since his father’s death.
Roman pulled out his phone.
No answer.
They rushed back to Castell House.
DeLuca’s office was empty.
His computer had been wiped.
The safe stood open.
One folder remained.
TESSA HAYES — MARITAL CONSOLIDATION.
Tessa slowly opened it.
Her name was printed beside Roman’s.
A wedding date had already been entered.
May you like
Tomorrow.
And beneath it was Roman’s signature.
