Chapter 5 - The Net Closes
Emma’s first instinct was to run out the back kitchen door, leap over the wooden fence, and disappear into the thick pine woods behind the harbor. But her legs felt rooted to the floorboards.
The diner bell chimed.
Leo stepped inside, ducking slightly under the low doorframe. He wore a heavy wool peacoat instead of his tailored Italian suits, but his sharp, scanning eyes instantly swept the room, assessing exits, patrons, and blind spots.
When his eyes landed on Emma behind the counter, he stopped dead. He let out a long, shuddering breath, as if a ten-ton weight had been lifted off his chest.
""Mrs. Caruso,"" Leo said quietly, stepping up to the counter.
Clara instantly stepped forward from the grill, spatula in hand, sensing the tension. ""Can I help you, mister? If you're here to harass my staff, you can turn right around.""
""It's okay, Clara,"" Emma whispered, her voice trembling slightly. ""He's... an old acquaintance from the city. Give us a minute, please?""
Clara looked between them, her eyes narrowing suspiciously, but she nodded and retreated to the prep kitchen, keeping the service window open.
Leo took off his cap, holding it in his hands with uncharacteristic humility. ""You look healthy, ma'am. Better than I've seen you in years.""
""Don't call me that, Leo,"" Emma said coldly, crossing her arms over her apron. ""I'm not your boss's wife anymore. How did you find me?""
""You bought a set of professional watercolor paints two weeks ago from an art supply shop in Portland,"" Leo explained softly. ""You paid with cash, but the shop owner took a photo of your custom landscape to post on his store's social media page. The facial recognition software we have running on public servers flagged it yesterday morning.""
Emma closed her eyes, cursing herself. A moment of careless creativity had betrayed her.
""Does Vincent know?"" she asked, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird.
Leo hesitated. ""I was ordered to confirm your identity with my own eyes before alerting him. He hasn't slept in an actual bed since the night you walked out, Emma. He’s torn the underworld apart looking for you. He broke ties with the syndicate, he ruined Madison Vale, and he spends every night at your old apartment like a madman.""
""I don't care,"" Emma spat, hot anger flaring in her chest. ""He had his chance when I was begging for his help in the ER. He told me he'd send a driver if it was serious. Tell him I'm dead, Leo. Tell him you found an empty lead.""
""I can't lie to him, Emma,"" Leo said solemnly. ""If I lie, he will find out eventually, and he will burn this entire town to the ground just to find your shadow.""
""Then let him come,"" Emma whispered, her chin lifting with a fierce, stubborn courage she didn't know she possessed. ""I am not afraid of him anymore.""
May you like
Leo sighed, pulled a thick envelope of cash from his coat, and set it on the laminate counter. ""He gave me strict orders: if you were alive, I was never to force you, never to touch you, and to give you whatever you needed. But Emma... he is boarding a private jet right now. He will be here before dusk.""
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