Chapter 5 - THE TEST
Claire laughed once.
It wasn't amusement.
It was disbelief.
"You humiliated me to test my loyalty?"
Ethan nodded slowly.
"I didn't know who I could trust."
"So you decided to make me look foolish?"
"I needed to see your reaction."
"You saw it."
Claire grabbed her purse.
"I'm leaving."
Ethan reached toward her.
She stepped back.
"No."
He stopped.
Claire looked him directly in the eyes.
"You don't get to hurt someone and call it a test."
"I know."
"No, you don't."
She turned toward the exit.
Then the restaurant lights suddenly flickered.
The manager approached Ethan.
"Mr. Cole?"
Ethan turned.
"What?"
"There are two gentlemen outside asking for you."
Ethan's face went pale.
Claire stopped.
"Who?"
The manager shook his head.
"They wouldn't say."
Ethan looked at Claire.
"You need to leave through the kitchen."
She stared at him.
"Why?"
"Because they aren't here for me."
"Then who are they here for?"
Ethan didn't answer.
One of the restaurant's front doors opened.
Two men entered.
They scanned the room.
Then one of them pointed directly toward Ethan.
"There."
Ethan grabbed Claire's hand.
"Run."
Claire pulled away.
"Not without answers."
The men began walking toward them.
Ethan looked desperate.
"Claire, please."
She finally understood something.
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Whatever had happened with the money was bigger than a family argument.
And somehow, she was already inside it.
