Chapter 1 - THE HAND ON THE GRILL
Ivan forced my palm onto the sizzling grill before anyone around us decided to move.
The skin of my right hand touched the black iron grate.
Pain exploded through my fingers, wrist, and shoulder. I screamed and twisted with everything I had. My wedding ring scraped against metal as I tore free.
The smell of burned oil and meat filled my throat.
I clutched my reddened hand against my chest.
Around the patio, twelve executives stood frozen beneath strands of white lights. Two held drinks halfway to their mouths. One woman stepped backward but did not speak.
Ivan’s face was flushed with whiskey and rage.
“I wouldn’t even feed this slop to my dogs!”
The food on the grill hissed behind him.
I looked at the men and women who had spent all evening praising his leadership. Not one of them met my eyes.
Ivan reached toward me again.
I seized the edge of the serving table and overturned it.
Plates shattered across the stone. Wine glasses burst beside polished shoes. Bowls of sauce rolled beneath chairs.
I grabbed the long metal spatula, struck the grill controls, and killed the flame.
Then I shoved the grill onto its side.
The heavy lid crashed against the patio. Smoke rose from the cooling grates.
Cynthia stared down at the dark sauce splattered across her elegant cream outfit. Her pearls trembled against her throat.
“Look what this ungrateful woman has done!”
Ivan stepped over the broken glass.
I lifted the spatula between us.
“Take one more step and everyone here becomes my witness.”
His executives backed away.
Not toward me.
Away from responsibility.
Ivan’s eyes narrowed.
“You think anyone here will support you?”
I reached for the smartphone lying beside the overturned serving tray. The call had remained active.
I raised it and switched on the speaker.
Marcus Reed appeared on the live screen in his suit and tie. His office lights reflected across his glasses. He held another phone near his ear.
Ivan’s confidence vanished.
Cynthia stopped shouting.
Marcus said nothing.
He did not need to.
I looked at my husband.
“You just gave me the final evidence.”
For one second, no one breathed.
Then Ivan glanced toward a silver cooler positioned beside the outdoor kitchen.
Cynthia followed his gaze.
Her lips barely moved.
“Get the red packet before Reed sends anyone.”
Ivan lunged toward the cooler.
I stepped between him and it.
May you like
A siren sounded beyond the hedges.
Only then did the first executive finally say my name.
