Chapter 4 - The Cut Leather
Claire held her breath as Adrian carefully peeled back the blood-soaked cotton glove. He didn't flinch at the sight of the deep, jagged wound across her palm. Instead, his thumb brushed lightly against her wrist, feeling the rapid, steady beat of her pulse.
"A broken plate doesn't leave a straight, clean cut like that," Adrian said quietly, applying the soothing ointment to her open wound with surprisingly gentle hands. "A sharp utility blade does."
Claire stared at him, genuine surprise piercing through her mental defenses. "Why are you doing this, Mr. Moretti?"
"Because my house is supposed to be safe," Adrian replied, wrapping the fresh bandage tightly around her palm and securing it with expert precision. "And because I know someone cut that tray handle this morning."
Claire kept her voice carefully muted. "You saw?"
"I notice everything that happens under my roof, Claire," Adrian said, looking down into her eyes. "Vanessa thinks she’s asserting control by ringing her stupid silver bell. She doesn't realize she’s making herself a target."
"Target for whom?" Claire asked softly.
Adrian didn't answer immediately. He finished tying the bandage and released her wrist. The warmth of his hand lingered on her skin.
"Stay out of the main house tonight," Adrian warned, his voice dropping into a harsh whisper. "The caterers are bringing in extra staff from the city. I don't trust any of them. Go to the staff quarters, lock your door, and stay there until morning."
"I have duties to complete, sir," Claire insisted, playing the dedicated servant. "Miss Carlisle ordered me to polish the silver in the grand dining room tonight."
Adrian’s jaw tightened. "I am telling you to stay in your room, Claire. That’s an order from the master of this house."
He turned on his heel and walked back toward the mansion, his long dark coat billowing slightly in the cold autumn breeze.
Claire stood alone in the gravel driveway, looking down at the neat, professional bandage wrapped around her hand. Adrian Moretti was a ruthless criminal boss, wanted by three federal agencies for high-level racketeering. Yet he had just personally patched up a maid’s hand while her own father-in-law was plotting treason inside his house.
Claire pulled her glove back over the bandage. He knows there’s a snake in the grass, she thought. He just doesn't realize there are two of us.
May you like
She waited until Adrian disappeared inside, then slipped around the back of the estate toward the kitchen corridors. If Adrian was expecting trouble tonight from the new catering staff, it meant the vault in his private study would be left vulnerable while his attention was focused on security.
Tonight was the night she had to steal the ledger.
