Chapter 6

No one asks me to leave.

Somehow, that’s worse.

Mrs. Russo looks me over once, from my shoes to my face, then turns away.

Mr. Russo barely acknowledges me.

After three years with Adrian, this is the closest I’ve ever come to sitting at a table with his family—and I’m not here as his girlfriend. I’m here as an employee they clearly don’t respect.

Mr. Moretti pulls out the chair beside him.

“Claire. Sit here.”

I hesitate, then take the seat.

He leans closer than necessary.

“Russo Holdings has been hiding its best asset.”

His eyes move slowly over me.

“Smart and beautiful.”

My stomach turns.

Normally, I would tell him exactly where he can put that compliment.

My hand tightens around my glass.

The first twin starts screaming.

“No. Mom, don’t do it!”

I go still.

“This is the dinner where she smashes a glass over his head.”

The second twin sounds grim.

“The deal falls apart. The Russos blame Mom and send her to an overseas branch.”

My fingers loosen around the glass.

“And then?”

The second twin goes quiet for a beat.

“She dies there alone.”

I put the glass down.

Mr. Moretti mistakes my silence for permission.

His chair shifts closer.

His knee brushes mine under the table.

I immediately move away.

He smiles.

“Relax. We’re all friends here.”

Across the table, neither of Adrian’s parents says a word.

There was a time I would have expected Adrian to protect me from something like this.

Not anymore.

No one is coming.

I just have to get through lunch and leave.

Mr. Moretti leans toward me again.

“You know, Claire, maybe we should discuss the account somewhere more private.”

My nails bite into my palm.

I repeat the only three things that matter: don’t react, don’t ruin the deal, and don’t die again.

Then—

The door slams open hard enough to hit the wall.

Every conversation stops.

I turn.

Adrian stands in the doorway.

His face is terrifyingly calm.

His eyes move from Mr. Moretti—

to me.

Then his expression turns black.