Chapter 2 - The Maid With a Secret
Nadia knew she had exactly thirty seconds.
Maybe less.
She didn't look toward the man reaching beneath his jacket.
She didn't need to.
Years of training had taught her to recognize danger through movement rather than sight.
The man stood near the eastern exit.
Gray suit.
Black tie.
Left hand resting casually against his waist.
Too casually.
Nadia shifted her weight.
Harrison noticed.
“You've seen him,” he whispered.
Nadia didn't answer.
The man's eyes met hers.
Then he smiled.
Nadia knew that smile.
It wasn't the smile of a guest.
It was the smile of someone who had been waiting.
She grabbed a silver serving tray from the nearby table.
The gun came out.
A scream tore through the ballroom.
Nadia threw the tray.
The bullet struck metal.
At the same moment, Nadia moved.
She crossed the distance between them before the guests had time to understand what was happening.
The man fired again.
Nadia ducked.
She grabbed his wrist.
Twisted.
The gun hit the floor.
Security finally reacted.
Three guards rushed forward and tackled him.
Vivian stood frozen.
Her torn gown forgotten.
Her father's face had gone pale.
“Nadia,” Harrison said.
She turned.
“Take Vivian upstairs.”
Vivian stared at him.
“Why should I go anywhere with her?”
“Because,” Harrison said coldly, “whoever just tried to shoot her wasn't here for me.”
Everyone looked at Vivian.
Her lips parted.
“What are you talking about?”
Harrison didn't answer.
Nadia grabbed Vivian's arm.
Vivian jerked away.
“Don't touch me!”
Nadia leaned closer.
“If you want to survive tonight, stop screaming and listen.”
Vivian stared at her.
For once, she obeyed.
They disappeared through a private door.
The moment they reached the corridor, Vivian shoved Nadia away.
“You're insane.”
Nadia locked the door behind them.
“You're alive.”
“I don't need you.”
“You almost died.”
Vivian's anger faltered.
“Who are you?”
Nadia remained silent.
Vivian studied her.
“You're trained.”
Nadia looked away.
“You knew the shooter.”
“No.”
“You recognized him.”
Nadia didn't respond.
Vivian lowered her voice.
“You're not a maid.”
“No.”
“Then what are you?”
Nadia finally turned.
“Someone your father hired to protect this family.”
Vivian's face went blank.
“My father?”
“Six months ago.”
“Then why did he introduce you as a housekeeper?”
“Because somebody inside this house was watching the security staff.”
Vivian stared at her.
“Who?”
Nadia's eyes hardened.
“That's what I'm trying to find out.”
Before Vivian could answer, the door opened.
Harrison stood there.
Behind him were two detectives.
And one woman Nadia had never seen before.
Eleanor Ashford.
Harrison's younger sister.
The woman who controlled the Ashford family trust.
Eleanor smiled.
“Nadia.”
The way she said the name made Nadia's stomach tighten.
“You finally stopped pretending.”
Nadia didn't move.
Eleanor stepped closer.
“You were always too good at pretending.”
Vivian looked between them.
“What does that mean?”
Eleanor ignored her.
“You should have left when you had the chance.”
Nadia's eyes narrowed.
“You knew who I was?”
“Of course.”
Eleanor smiled.
“I knew exactly who you were the day you walked into this house.”
Harrison suddenly stepped between them.
“Enough.”
Eleanor's smile disappeared.
“Then perhaps you should tell your daughter what really happened to her mother.”
Vivian froze.
“My mother?”
Harrison looked at his sister.
“Not here.”
Eleanor turned toward Vivian.
“Oh, I think it's time.”
Vivian's voice trembled.
“What happened to Mom?”
Harrison closed his eyes.
For twenty years, he had buried the truth.
But tonight, the grave had opened.
Eleanor whispered:
“Your mother didn't die in an accident.”
Vivian stopped breathing.
“She was murdered.”
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And Nadia realized the man with the gun had never been the real threat.
Because the person who ordered the shooting was still inside the house.
