Chapter 13 - The Poisoned Apple
The encrypted phone vibrated violently against Claire's thigh as she sat on the edge of her bed. She was already dressed in a stunning emerald green evening gown that Nicholas had secretly ordered for her.
She pulled the phone from its hiding spot and read the urgent message from Agent Vance.
"The ledger photos are perfect. We are fast-tracking the operation. We need live audio to finalize the arrest warrants. Plant the enclosed listening device in his private vehicle tonight."
Claire stared at the message, a wave of profound nausea washing over her. She pulled a tiny, perfectly disguised adhesive microphone from a sealed FBI envelope. It was smaller than a fingernail.
She walked downstairs to the grand foyer where Nicholas was waiting. He looked absolutely breathtaking in a classic black tuxedo. When he saw her, his breath caught audibly in his throat. He offered her his arm, treating her with a level of deep respect and genuine adoration she had never experienced in her life.
They walked out to the driveway where his personal, armored luxury sedan was waiting. The driver opened the door, and Nicholas gestured for her to slide in first.
As Claire slid across the expensive leather seats, she pretended to lose her balance slightly. She reached out to steady herself, pressing her hand firmly under the passenger seat. With a quick, practiced motion, she stuck the tiny microphone to the metal frame.
"Are you alright?" Nicholas asked, sliding in beside her and looking concerned.
"Just clumsy in these heels," Claire forced a bright laugh.
The dinner was held in a completely private, glass-enclosed rooftop restaurant overlooking the entire city. Nicholas had rented out the entire venue just for the two of them. Thousands of twinkling city lights mirrored the starry sky above.
Over expensive champagne and perfectly seared steak, Nicholas opened up to her in a way she knew he never had with anyone else.
"My father built this empire on fear, violence, and extortion," Nicholas said quietly, staring out at the city skyline. "But I do not want that legacy, Claire. I am quietly liquidating the illegal assets. I am buying legitimate commercial real estate. In one year, the Caruso family will be completely legal. I want to build something clean. Something I can be proud of."
Claire felt a hot tear slip down her cheek. The FBI didn't care that he was trying to go legitimate. They only cared about the past crimes recorded in that ledger.
"Why are you telling me this, Nicholas?" Claire asked, her voice trembling with genuine emotion.
Nicholas reached across the table and took her hands in his. His grip was strong and warm.
May you like
"Because I want you to be a part of my future," Nicholas confessed, his eyes completely vulnerable. "I know it is dangerous to be near me right now. But if you give me a little time to clean up my father's mess, I promise I will give you a beautiful, safe life."
Claire looked into the eyes of a mafia boss and saw only a desperate, honorable man trying to escape his own shadow. She realized in that exact moment that she could not let the FBI destroy him.
