Chapter 2 - The Underworld Boss’s Private Safehouse, the Secret Investigation Into the Maid’s Hidden Past, and the Deadly Trap Closing In on the North ShoreThe hospital where Nathan was taken had little in common with an ordinary emergency department. His private room was spacious, furnished more like a luxury hotel suite than a medical facility. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the Chicago skyline, where city lights shone against the early December darkness.
Emily waited in the hallway.
She had refused additional treatment beyond basic oxygen therapy, despite a persistent cough.
3 days had passed since the explosion.
During that time, she had answered questions from police, insurance investigators, and journalists. Mrs. Chen had told her to go home and rest. The household staff would remain on paid leave while the investigation continued.
Emily had gone home only briefly.
She could not completely walk away.
The hospital room door opened, and Marcus stepped into the corridor.
His eyes found her immediately.
“You’re still here.”
“Is he awake?”
“He’s been awake. He’s been asking questions.”
Marcus leaned against the wall.
“About you.”
Emily’s heart shifted.
“What kind of questions?”
“The kind you’d expect. Background checks. Employment history. Where you came from. Why you were hired.”
He crossed his arms.
“You’re clean. Suspiciously clean, actually. No criminal record, no debts, no connections to rival organizations. You’re exactly what you appear to be. A 23-year-old woman who needed a job and happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
Or the wrong place, Emily thought.
“He wants to see you,” Marcus said. “Now.”
Emily stood and smoothed her jeans.
She had gone home once to shower and change. Without her black household uniform, she felt strangely exposed.
Marcus opened the door for her but did not enter.
“Word of advice. Don’t lie to him. He’ll know.”
The hospital room was dim. Nathan sat upright in bed, looking considerably stronger than Emily expected. A bandage covered his temple. Medical monitors sounded quietly beside him.
His eyes were completely clear.
“Emily Carter.”
He spoke her name as though testing it.
“Sit.”
Emily sat beside the bed with her hands folded in her lap.
“The doctors tell me I’m lucky to be alive,” Nathan began. “The blast should have done more damage. Someone pulled me out before the worst of the fire reached me.”
He paused.
“That was you.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t call me sir. Not after what you did.”
He shifted and winced slightly.
“I’ve been in this business a long time, Emily. I’ve seen loyalty. I’ve seen betrayal. I’ve seen people act because of fear, greed, or ambition. I’ve never seen someone risk her life for no reason.”
His eyes remained fixed on her.
“So I’ll ask you again. Why?”
Emily had spent 3 days preparing an answer.
Now the rehearsed explanation seemed useless.
“I don’t know. I heard the blast. I was right there. Everyone was running, and I thought someone needed to check. Someone needed to make sure nobody had been left behind.”
“Heroic.”
The word sounded almost accusatory.
“Do you know what I do, Emily? What kind of man I am?”
“I’ve worked in your house for 6 months. I have some idea.”
“Then you know people don’t help men like me simply from the goodness of their hearts. They help because they want something, or because they’re afraid of what will happen if they don’t.”
Nathan leaned slightly closer.
“Which is it?”
“Neither.”
Emily forced herself to maintain eye contact.
“I didn’t think. I acted. Maybe that was stupid.”
“Stupid or brave?”
“Sometimes they’re the same thing.”
Nathan studied her.
“Marcus ran a full background check. You’re originally from Pittsburgh. Your father died—or disappeared—when you were 15. Your mother passed away 2 years ago. No siblings. You moved to Chicago 8 months ago. Worked 2 restaurant jobs before applying for a position in my household. Quiet. Reliable. Stay out of trouble.”
He paused.
“Why Chicago?”
Emily felt her chest tighten.
“I wanted a fresh start. Pittsburgh had too many memories.”
“Memories of what?”
“Loss. Pain. The kind of things everyone eventually wants to run from.”
Nathan nodded slowly.
“The police believe the explosion was intentional. Someone was trying to send a message or remove a problem. They’ll want to question you again.”
“I’ve already told them everything I know.”
“Which is nothing. Because you were a maid in the wrong place at the right time.”
His expression softened almost imperceptibly.
“That is going to remain your story. You saw nothing suspicious. You heard nothing unusual before the explosion. You were delivering coffee and reacted instinctively afterward. Understand?”
“You want me to lie to the police?”
“I want you to survive.”
Nathan’s voice became more serious.
“The people who planted that device are still out there. Now you are connected to me. You saved my life. That puts a target on you.”
Emily had not fully considered that possibility.
“You think they’ll come after me?”
“I know they may try. It has already started. Marcus intercepted 2 attempts to find out where you live. Someone tried to bribe a former member of my staff for information about you.”
Fear moved through her.
“What do I do?”
“You accept my protection. You move somewhere secure, where my people can watch you until we find whoever did this.”
“Handle them,” Emily said quietly.
Nathan’s expression hardened.
“This isn’t your world, and I’m not going to pull you any deeper into it than necessary. But you’re in danger because of what you did for me.”
He paused.
“I don’t forget debts. I protect what’s mine.”
“I’m not yours.”
“No,” Nathan said. “But I’m responsible for you now, whether you like it or not.”
Emily wanted to refuse.
She wanted to return to her small apartment in Pilsen and resume the quiet existence she had maintained since arriving in Chicago.
But she had spent 6 months observing Nathan’s world.
She knew the threat was not theoretical.
“How long?”
“Until it’s safe. Weeks, perhaps longer.”
“And what do you expect from me?”
“Honest answers when I ask questions. That’s all.”
Emily recognized the danger immediately.
She had secrets that would not survive unlimited honesty.
May you like
But going home might be worse.
“All right. I’ll accept your protection.”
