Chapter 4 - THE INTERROGATION
The study was silent except for the rhythmic ticking of a grandfather clock in the corner.
Adeline stood in the center of the Persian rug, her hands clasped loosely in front of her gray apron.
She didn't look down. She didn't fidget.
She met Enzo Marchetti's severe gaze with a calm, steady resilience that unsettled every instinct he possessed.
Enzo sat behind the massive mahogany desk, the leather folder open before him.
"Surgical assistant," Enzo said, breaking the silence.
"Mercy General Hospital. Four years ago."
Adeline didn't blink. "I left that profession behind."
"People don't leave trauma surgery to scrub marble floors in a mafia boss's estate," Enzo stated, leaning forward, resting his forearms on the wood.
"Unless they're hiding from someone. Or looking for something."
"I needed a job," Adeline replied smoothly.
"The Marchetti estate pays well and asks fewer questions than most."
"Except when my fiancée decides to whip you in the hallway," Enzo countered, his voice dropping into a low, dangerous register.
"Why didn't you fight back?"
"Because hitting the fiancée of the most powerful man in Chicago is a very quick way to end up at the bottom of Lake Michigan," she answered without missing a beat.
A faint, grim smile touched the corner of Enzo's mouth.
"You have a realistic view of your environment."
"I'm a survivor, Mr. Marchetti. I learned early on that pride doesn't heal lacerations."
Enzo stood up slowly. He walked around the desk, stopping just two feet away from her.
The scent of cedar, rain, and expensive scotch washed over her.
"Senator Vance's chief of staff visited the employment agency on the exact day you applied," Enzo said softly, his eyes searching her face for any micro-expression of panic.
"What does Senator Vance have to do with you?"
Adeline’s breath hitched for a micro-second—just long enough for Enzo to catch it.
"I don't know any senator," she whispered.
"You lied to me," Enzo said, his voice tightening.
"And as I told you before, Adeline... I hate being lied to."
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Before Adeline could formulate a response, a loud crash echoed from the courtyard below, followed by the shattering of ground-floor security glass.
THE END OF CHAPTER 4
