Chapter 6 - The Man Behind the ReputationMonths passed.
Not for work.
For dinner.
She stopped inside the entrance.
“I hate this already.”
Lily hooked an arm through hers.
“You look beautiful.”
“I borrowed this dress.”
“So?”
“My shoes cost thirty dollars.”
“Mine hurt.”
“That makes me feel better.”
Across the room, Adrien stood beside table nine.
He wore black.
His tattoos showed faintly above one hand beneath the warm chandelier light.
Clare approached.
“You chose this table?”
Adrien pulled out her chair.
“I thought we should replace the memory.”
“With dinner?”
“With a better night.”
Lily sat.
“I suggested pizza.”
“You suggested ordering pizza here.”
“That would have been memorable.”
Clare looked around.
“Where’s everyone?”
Adrien had reserved the private section.
“Maya’s outside.”
“So security is staying this time?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
He caught the teasing in her voice.
“You’re never going to let me forget that.”
“Probably not.”
Dinner arrived.
For twenty minutes, they talked like ordinary people.
No mafia empire.
No reporters.
No Marcus.
No hospital.
Then Lily excused herself.
Clare watched her leave.
“She’s doing that intentionally.”
Adrien didn’t pretend otherwise.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She thinks I like you.”
Clare nearly dropped her glass.
“And?”
“She’s correct.”
Silence.
Adrien leaned back.
“I’ve made you uncomfortable.”
“You’re Adrien Voss.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“You live in a mansion.”
“A house.”
“With gates.”
“Security gates.”
“And people are terrified of you.”
“Not you.”
“That should concern you.”
“It does.”
Clare tried not to smile.
Adrien became serious.
“I’m not asking you for anything.”
“Then what are you doing?”
“Telling you the truth.”
“Why?”
“Because you demanded honesty from me from the first day.”
“I demanded that you stop trying to control everything.”
“That too.”
Clare studied him.
“What exactly do you want?”
“To know you.”
“You already investigated me.”
“That isn’t knowing you.”
“Good answer.”
“I practiced.”
She laughed.
Adrien continued.
“I know what people expect from me. I know what they say about me. Some of it is deserved.”
Clare’s smile faded.
“I’m not interested in changing you.”
“I know.”
“And I’m not becoming part of anything criminal.”
“I know that too.”
“Then there’s a problem.”
“There are several.”
“At least you’re realistic.”
Adrien leaned forward.
“I’m changing how I conduct my legitimate businesses. Maya is helping separate them completely from the rest of my past.”
“Because of me?”
“No.”
Clare waited.
“Because Lily deserves a brother who comes home.”
That answer mattered more.
Clare nodded slowly.
“Good.”
Adrien looked toward the empty chair where Lily had been sitting.
“There’s something else.”
“What?”
“Noah’s treatment.”
Clare stiffened.
“Adrien.”
“Listen first.”
She crossed her arms.
“No gifts. No debts. No blank checks.”
“Agreed.”
She blinked.
“I spoke to the hospital foundation. They have an assistance program. Noah qualifies independently.”
“You didn’t pay them?”
“No.”
“You didn’t pressure them?”
“No.”
“Did you terrify anybody?”
Adrien considered it.
“Not intentionally.”
“Adrien.”
“No.”
Clare finally smiled.
“Thank you.”
He nodded.
Then Lily appeared from behind a column.
“Can I come back now?”
Clare stared at her.
“How long were you listening?”
“Enough.”
Adrien sighed.
May you like
“You are terrible at subtlety.”
“I learned from you.”
