Chapter 4 - The Ghost
Three months later.
Evelyn stood by the massive floor-to-ceiling window of a high-rise apartment in Washington, D.C.
She was now five months pregnant, the curve of her stomach distinct beneath her black silk dress.
The world believed Evelyn Hart Moretti was dead.
Her father and father-in-law had successfully covered up her escape.
They told the press she had drowned in a tragic boating accident off the coast of Maine.
They even held a closed-casket funeral, paid for by Dominic.
Evelyn watched the funeral on live television.
She watched Dominic stand perfectly still by the empty grave, showing absolutely no emotion.
She watched Vanessa weep dramatically into his shoulder.
It made her physically sick.
But being legally dead gave her the ultimate advantage.
Ghosts could not be sued.
Ghosts could not be forced to sign divorce papers.
And ghosts could operate completely in the shadows.
Caleb walked into the room, holding a thick file folder.
He had spent the last ninety days utilizing his entire intelligence network to dismantle the Hart-Moretti merger piece by piece.
“We found the black ledger,” Caleb announced, dropping the file on the glass table.
Evelyn turned around, her eyes flashing with dangerous intensity.
“Where is it?”
“Owen Price keeps it locked in a private safety deposit box in Geneva,” Caleb explained.
“It contains the exact records of every bribe, assassination order, and offshore transfer Victor and Richard have authorized for the last ten years.”
“If we get that ledger to the FBI, both families fall permanently.”
Evelyn rested a protective hand on her stomach.
“Then we go to Geneva.”
“Not exactly,” Caleb sighed, crossing his arms.
“Owen is flying to a private gala in New York tomorrow night.”
“He’s meeting with the Swiss bankers to finalize the merger accounts.”
“He carries the physical access key to the vault on a chain around his neck.”
Evelyn’s mind raced.
“We have to steal the key before he flies back to Europe.”
Caleb nodded.
“I have a team ready to infiltrate the gala, but they need someone to distract Owen long enough to lift the key.”
Evelyn walked over to the table and picked up the file.
“I’ll do it.”
Caleb stared at her in shock.
“Evie, you’re supposed to be dead.”
“If anyone recognizes you, you’ll be executed on the spot.”
“Not to mention you are five months pregnant!”
Evelyn smiled a cold, ruthless smile.
“Exactly.”
“No one expects a dead woman to walk into a party.”
“And I know exactly how to get close to Owen.”
The next evening, the elite socialites of New York gathered at the Plaza Hotel.
The ballroom was filled with diamonds, champagne, and the most powerful criminals in the country.
Evelyn walked through the gilded doors wearing a stunning, blood-red evening gown.
She wore a delicate masquerade mask that covered the upper half of her face.
Her pregnant stomach was cleverly disguised by the flowing fabric of the dress.
She spotted Owen Price immediately, standing near the bar, looking arrogant and untouchable.
Evelyn grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and walked directly toward him.
She purposefully stumbled, spilling the entire drink down the front of Owen’s expensive tuxedo.
“Watch where you’re going!” Owen snapped, brushing furiously at his ruined shirt.
Evelyn looked up at him from behind her mask, offering a seductive, apologetic smile.
“I am so incredibly sorry,” she purred, stepping closer.
She reached out with a silk napkin, gently dabbing at his lapel.
With her other hand, she smoothly unhooked the silver chain at the back of his neck.
The heavy vault key slipped silently into her palm.
Owen looked down at her, his anger fading as he noticed her striking features.
“It’s fine,” he muttered, his eyes raking over her body.
“Do I know you?”
Evelyn leaned in close, whispering directly into his ear.
May you like
“You should.”
“You tried to shoot me in the woods three months ago.”
