CHAPTER 1

A sudden jolt of panic hits me when they arrive at the trendiest restaurant and café in town—the handsome, successful husband, his beautiful wife, and their two adorable daughters, the perfect family. Except they’re not.

I quickly shift my gaze back to our table when the husband turns around and looks directly at me. My fingers tighten around the steaming cup of green tea as I force my brain to focus on the ambience surrounding me—the chatter and laughter of patrons out for an evening of dining, the accompanying background music, and busy servers tending to their enthusiastic and upscale clientele.

“What’s wrong? You look like you just saw a ghost,” my husband Jason quips.

I knock over the cup, spilling my tea. I grab napkins from the dispenser and spring into action before the drink finds its way all over the table and causes a huge mess. Or worse, burns the children.

“Aliens hijacked my brain to perform scientific experiments. I don’t know when they’ll give it back.” I laugh weakly at my lame joke.

“I don’t think so. What spooked you, Shelby?”

Jason sits across from me at our booth near the window, eyeing me through ridiculously long lashes, the kind women envy on a man. The tube-shaped lantern dangling over our table illuminates his deep bronze complexion and Blair Underwood-like features that appear as though a makeup artist gave him a velvet matte finish. Our daughter, Abigail, is texting friends. Her stylish bob covers most of her acne-free face and large, expressive doe eyes—so like mine. Miles, a mini version of his father and quite tall for his eleven years, gripes about his food, his peevish behavior grating on my already frayed nerves.

“I’m fine,” I assure Jason. “Just had a sudden flash of all the work piling up. I’m drowning, frankly. I missed another deadline to turn in my research manuscript. Dr. Nouri has already cursed me out in three languages.”

Jason reaches over and gently runs a finger down my cheek. “Then consider cutting back on your workload. You’re overextended as it is.”

I’m a research scientist in the field of bioinformatics, which combines biology, computer science, and mathematics to develop tools that can analyze complex biological data and genetic codes. There is also a huge gender gap and even fewer women of color working in this specialty. Publishing my research is one way I get ahead, but work is the furthest thing from my mind tonight.

“I don’t see any reason to slow down. Besides, why does the woman always have to be the one to make career sacrifices?”

Abbie pays attention, sensing an argument is about to begin. Miles makes obnoxious slurping sounds with his hot chocolate.

Jason narrows his eyes at me. “You’re not yourself tonight,” he says finally.

I place my small hands over his enormous brown ones. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I’ll get a full eight hours of sleep tonight. That should take care of my attitude.”

“Are you sure that’s all it is, work?” Jason asks.

I must tread carefully. It’s not a good idea to get defensive, especially since I’m keeping secrets that could destroy my family. When my cell phone rings, I’m grateful for the distraction that saves me from having to tell more lies. I reach for my phone in the side pocket of my bag and glance at the screen. I recognize the incoming number and return the phone right away. The caller won’t give up, though. The phone keeps ringing.

“Aren’t you going to get that?” Jason asks.

“It’s Vivian. I’ll call her later.”

“Who knows what part of the world she’s calling from? Pick up.”

I have no choice but to answer the call. “Hey, Vivian, what’s up?”

“I need to see you. It’s urgent,” says the anxious caller.

“I’m at Pennybaker’s with Jason and the kids.”

“Meet me out back.” Then the caller hangs up.

I keep the phone pressed to my ear despite the silence on the other end of the line.

“Can I talk to Aunt Vivian?” Abbie asks.

“Not right now, honey,” I say, pressing my hand over the phone. “Your aunt just met a new man, and she’s eager to give me the details. Knowing her, it’s probably X-rated.”

I tell the family I need a quick bathroom break. I wade through the noisy crowd, then exit the restaurant. It’s the end of October, with temperatures dropping by the hour. I adjust my scarf and tighten the belt of my Burberry coat as I arrive at the parking lot located behind the restaurant.

The man who made eye contact with me inside the restaurant leans against my car, his figure highlighted by the splash of light from the lamppost. He sports a brown leather jacket with a double collar and dark jeans. His thick, dark hair is an unruly mess. His usually vibrant blue eyes are clouded over by something I can’t quite identify.

“Are you nuts?” I whisper. “We can’t be seen out here. Do you want to get caught?”

My eyes dart all over the parking lot, looking for nosy neighbors or acquaintances who might spot me.

Alessandro Rossi, my former physical therapist, to whom I owe a massive debt of gratitude, pats the front bumper of the Mercedes AMG S65 sedan. “I like the new toy. I wonder if Jason would be so generous if he knew you’ve been a bad girl.”

“Is that supposed to be funny?” I ask.

“Relax, Shelby,” he says. “If anyone sees us, we have nothing to hide. It’s over, and besides, we’re friends, aren’t we?”

“Alessandro, both of our spouses are here. I told Jason I was going to the bathroom. I have to get back. What is so urgent that you hauled me out here?”

His next words have me feeling flabbergasted. “I’m leaving. For good.”

I jam my hands into the pockets of my coat to ward off the chilly New England night. I stay silent for a beat, unsure of what to say.

Then I ask, “When?”

“Soon,” he says.

“Why?”

“You know why. It’s not safe for my girls. Or me.”

“Did something happen?”

“Isabella slapped Morgana across the face, after I warned her not to,” he says, clenching his jaw.

“I’m so sorry, Alessandro. How are the girls?”

“They’re terrified of their own mother. That’s why I need your help.”

“I don’t see what I can do.”

“Help the girls and me leave the country, undetected. We’re going back to Brazil. If we stay here, I don’t know what Isabella will do next, and I’m not sticking around to find out. In exchange for your help, I’ll sign over half ownership of the business to you. All the centers are profitable. It will be a good investment.”

“You don’t ask for much,” I say, mustering a half-grin. “But you don’t need to compensate me. You built that business from nothing, and you should continue to be the sole owner, no matter where you end up.”

“So you’ll help us?” he asks eagerly.

“Of course I will. You’re doing the right thing, protecting your children.” I lightly stroke his forearm and then pull back.

“Time is of the essence,” he says and then scans the area as if looking for someone.

“Well, I need time to pull some resources together, and you haven’t told me the plan yet,” I remind him.

“We don’t have much time because something bizarre is going on, and I want the girls and me gone as soon as possible.”

“What do you mean by bizarre?”

“Strange phone calls. The person hangs up whenever I answer. I also think someone is following me. Mostly on my way to or from work. That’s why I wanted to meet out here. When I saw you inside the restaurant, I thought I should take advantage of the opportunity to talk.”

“Do you think Isabella could be behind this?” I shudder, and the tiny hairs at the back of my neck stand at attention.

“I don’t know anything for sure,” he says. “I’m sorry I called you out here like this, but you’re the only person I trust.”

“Okay. Then we should avoid contact. I’ll do what I can on my end and then hand things over to you.”

Alessandro lets out a deep breath as if he’s been holding it since the conversation began. “Thank you. And you’ll let me know if you run into any trouble? I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.”

“Chill out, Alessandro. Nothing is going to happen to either one of us.”