“No.”
That was the moment Elise understood the problem.
Ignorance had become dangerous.
The people hunting Matteo did not need her to possess a secret.
They only needed to believe she might.
She sank into a kitchen chair.
“This is insane.”
“Yes.”
“And your solution is what? Put me in one of those cars and make me disappear?”
“No.” Matteo’s reply came immediately.
“My solution is to keep you somewhere secure until the people responsible are identified.”
“That sounds remarkably similar.”
He studied her for a long moment.
Then he reached into his coat slowly, making sure she saw the movement, and placed a second card on the table.
“This number belongs to an attorney who has no connection to my family business.
Call her.
Tell her where you are going.
Tell anyone you trust.
You may also contact the police before we leave.”
Elise blinked.
She had expected intimidation.
She had not expected permission.
Matteo seemed to read the thought in her face.
“I owe you my life.
Turning yours into a prison would be a poor repayment.”
She still did not move.
Finally she asked, “Why did you know my name?”
The question had been burning inside her since the beach.
For the first time since entering her apartment, Matteo looked almost surprised.
Then something quieter passed through his face.
“You told me.”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Not intentionally.”
Elise frowned.
Matteo looked toward the window as if hearing the ocean again.
“You were dragging me through the water.
You kept talking because you were exhausted.”
She remembered almost none of that swim clearly.
Only waves.
Salt.
His weight.
The terrible burning in her lungs.
Matteo continued.
“You said, ‘Kick, Elise.
Breathe.
Keep moving.’ Over and over.”
Heat rose into her face despite the fear.
“I talk to myself when I’m panicking.”
“It was useful information.”
“That’s how you knew?”
“That is how.”
Some small knot inside her loosened.
At least he had not known who she was before the crash.
At least the ocean had not been part of some plan involving her.
Matteo’s face tightened suddenly.
His injured shoulder was bothering him.
