Chapter 17 - THE GROOM’S REAL NAME
The convoy raced toward Chicago.
Ethan lay inside an ambulance with Naomi beside him.
Lila was allowed inside after medics confirmed he was stable.
She stopped several feet from the stretcher.
Her father was familiar and strange.
Ethan lowered one hand.
“Little Bird.”
Lila crossed the distance.
He held her as if he had survived for that moment.
Naomi allowed them ten seconds.
Then she showed Ethan a photograph of Arthur’s empty vehicle.
“Gideon took him.”
“Caldwell Tower,” Ethan repeated.
Adrian was transported in handcuffs.
Ethan asked to see him.
“You opened the clinic,” he said.
Adrian denied it.
Ethan described the visit six months earlier.
Adrian had reset the security system outside his chamber.
Ethan begged him to contact Naomi.
Adrian walked away.
“My father said you were dangerous.”
“And you chose not to look.”
Celeste removed the final tenderness from her face.
“Was any part of our marriage real?”
Adrian looked at her.
“I love you.”
“You watched my brother-in-law beg for help.”
“I was afraid of my father.”
Lila touched the bandage beneath her bow.
“Everyone keeps hurting people because they’re afraid.”
No adult answered.
Ethan revealed why Gideon needed Arthur.
The original medical order contained Arthur’s signature.
It falsely declared Ethan mentally unstable and authorized Gideon to control his treatment.
Gideon used it to intercept Ethan after the crash.
Arthur believed Ethan was receiving protection.
By the time he realized Ethan had disappeared, Gideon convinced him that the injured man had died.
“Did Warren know you survived?” Naomi asked.
“Not at first.”
Later, Warren saw Ethan at Saint Alden.
Gideon threatened to expose Warren’s theft if he spoke.
Warren chose silence.
Again.
Adrian looked toward Ethan.
“My father will kill Arthur after he signs.”
“Then help us enter the tower.”
Adrian knew a private service code.
He gave it to Ortiz.
As officers prepared the rescue, Adrian’s phone received a video.
Arthur sat inside the Caldwell boardroom.
His hands were tied.
Gideon stood behind him.
A document lay on the table.
It transferred every family asset into Gideon’s control.
May you like
Arthur looked into the camera.
Then Gideon placed a pen between his fingers.
