Chapter 2 - The Safe House on Lake Michigan
By midnight, the storm had turned into a howling blizzard over Lake Michigan.
Adrian’s private security chief, Marcus, drove them away from the downtown office building in a heavy armored SUV. Instead of taking Evelyn back to her modest apartment, the vehicle headed north along Lake Shore Drive toward a high-security residential estate overlooking the water.
"Where are we going?" Evelyn asked, watching the dark waves crash against the concrete barrier outside.
"Somewhere Grant's associates can't reach you," Adrian replied, adjusting his dark coat. "Grant isn't acting alone. A man like him doesn't run a multi-million-dollar smuggling operation through my ports without a powerful backer."
"Who?"
"My rival," Adrian said coldly. "Dominic Moretti. He’s been trying to compromise my Midwestern shipping lanes for three years. Grant was his insider."
The SUV pulled into the gated entrance of a secluded lakeside villa surrounded by high stone walls and armed security guards. Inside, the house was warm, quiet, and grand, filled with dark hardwood and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the stormy lake.
Adrian led Evelyn to a spacious guest suite on the second floor.
"Get some rest," he said, holding the door for her. "My private medical team is taking over Paige’s care at first light. She’s being transferred to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago under my personal account."
Evelyn stopped in her tracks, staring at him in utter disbelief. "You... you're paying for Paige's care?"
May you like
Adrian met her gaze, his dark eyes unwavering. "I don't allow my people to be leveraged by scum like Grant Mercer. You're under my protection now, Evelyn. Sleep."
Before she could thank him, he closed the door, leaving her alone in the warm, quiet room.
