Chapter 3 - THE SECRET DANIEL WAS HIDING
Nathaniel took me through a private corridor behind the ballroom.
I followed because I didn't know what else to do.
The music faded behind us.
The marble hallway was nearly empty.
I stopped.
“I want answers.”
Nathaniel turned.
“You deserve them.”
“Then start talking.”
He studied me for a moment.
“Daniel was hired by someone inside Blackridge.”
“Who?”
“We don't know yet.”
“But you know why.”
“Yes.”
“What did he want?”
Nathaniel hesitated.
“Your father's documents.”
I laughed nervously.
“My father died when I was nine.”
“I know.”
“He didn't leave documents.”
“He did.”
My smile disappeared.
“What documents?”
Nathaniel looked toward the elevator.
“Your father was a financial auditor for Blackridge.”
I stared.
“I knew he worked in accounting.”
“He wasn't an ordinary accountant.”
“What was he?”
“A forensic auditor.”
My heart began pounding.
Nathaniel continued.
“Before he died, he discovered millions of dollars were being moved through Blackridge subsidiaries.”
“Stolen money?”
“Yes.”
“By whom?”
“That's what your father was trying to prove.”
I leaned against the wall.
“Why would Daniel care?”
“Because those records could expose people who have spent years protecting themselves.”
I thought about Daniel.
His coffee.
His messages.
His kiss.
All of it had been an act.
I swallowed.
“So he never loved me.”
Nathaniel's expression changed.
“I don't know.”
I looked at him.
“That sounded like sympathy.”
“It was.”
“Why?”
“Because I've watched enough people mistake manipulation for affection.”
I stared at him.
“And you?”
“What about me?”
“Why were you watching me?”
He was silent.
Then he said:
“Because your father's death wasn't an accident.”
My entire body went cold.
“What?”
“The brakes on his car were cut.”
I couldn't breathe.
“My father died in a crash.”
“That is what your family was told.”
I stared at him.
“Who killed him?”
“We don't know.”
“But you're investigating.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Nathaniel stepped closer.
“Because your father's records disappeared.”
“From where?”
“Blackridge's archive.”
“And Daniel was trying to find them.”
“Yes.”
“Did he know what happened to my father?”
“I think so.”
The elevator arrived.
We stepped inside.
I looked at Nathaniel.
“Why help me?”
He pressed the button for the underground garage.
“Because your father once helped mine.”
I stared.
“What?”
“My father was arrested when I was seventeen.”
“For what?”
“A crime he didn't commit.”
“Your father knew mine?”
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
“Your father proved he was innocent.”
I swallowed.
“And your father?”
“He died anyway.”
Nathaniel's expression hardened.
“That was the beginning of my life.”
The elevator doors opened.
A black SUV waited.
I stopped.
“I don't understand.”
“You don't need to understand everything tonight.”
“I do.”
“No.”
He looked at me.
“You need to survive tonight.”
We got inside.
As the vehicle pulled away, my phone buzzed.
A message.
Unknown number.
You should have taken Daniel's offer.
I showed Nathaniel.
His face became cold.
Another message appeared.
Now Mercer will have to watch you die.
Nathaniel took my phone.
“Do you know who this is?”
“No.”
He stared at the screen.
Then he looked at his driver.
“Change route.”
The driver immediately turned.
I felt my heart pounding.
“Where are we going?”
“My house.”
“Why?”
“Because your apartment is no longer safe.”
I looked at him.
“You're taking me to a Mafia boss's mansion?”
“Yes.”
“That sounds insane.”
Nathaniel's mouth twitched.
“It probably is.”
For the first time that night, I almost smiled.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“What happened?”
He listened.
Then said quietly:
“Get Daniel Reeves alive.”
I stared at him.
“What?”
Nathaniel hung up.
“They tried to kill him.”
I felt numb.
“Who?”
May you like
He looked at me.
“The same people trying to kill you.”
