Chapter 15: Dinner with the Devil

Victor Hale invited Alexander Moretti to dinner as if they were old friends instead of enemies.

The restaurant was private, hidden above a members-only club in Midtown. Scarlett insisted on going. Alexander refused twice. Scarlett won on the third attempt by saying, 'If this concerns my attempted murder, I believe I deserve a seat at the table.'

So she sat beside him in a black velvet dress, her wheelchair positioned not behind the table but at its head.

Victor Hale arrived with a smile. 'Miss Whitmore. You are even lovelier than the papers suggest.'

Scarlett returned the smile without warmth. 'And you are exactly as unpleasant as expected.'

Luca coughed into his drink.

Victor's eyes sharpened, but he laughed. 'I see Alexander has taught you confidence.'

'No. Betrayal taught me that.'

Dinner was served, but no one truly ate. Victor spoke in polished sentences, never admitting anything, never denying too strongly. He praised Richard. Pitied Evelyn. Called Victoria ambitious.

Then he looked at Scarlett. 'Accidents create strange opportunities, do they not?'

Alexander's hand stilled near his glass.

Scarlett felt fear crawl up her spine, but she held Victor's gaze. 'So do mistakes.'

'And what mistake have I made?' Victor asked.

'You assumed a woman in a wheelchair could not chase you.'

Victor smiled slowly. 'Can you?'

Before Scarlett could answer, Alexander leaned forward. His voice dropped so low the room seemed to shrink.

'She does not need to chase. I do.'

For the first time, Victor's smile faded.

The dinner ended without blood, but not without warning. As Victor left, he bent slightly toward Scarlett.

'Be careful, Miss Whitmore. Alexander protects what he loves, but he also destroys what he touches.'

Scarlett watched him disappear into the elevator.

In the car, Alexander was silent.

'Is he right?' she asked softly.

Alexander did not look at her. 'Yes.'

Scarlett reached across the space between them and placed her hand over his.

'Then do not destroy me,' she said.

His fingers tightened around hers.

'Never.'