Page 40 of Crystal Veil

“What else?”

“Then in 2019, she was seeing a Parisian artist, René Proulx. Found dead in his studio. Poisoned. Some obscure botanical toxin. Took days to identify. Authorities couldn't trace it.”

The words slam into me. One death could be a coincidence. Two deaths look like a pattern.

He keeps going. “One of her lovers in Dubai had a stroke at thirty-nine. Another in Geneva lost his entire fortune to a mysterious crypto theft. Then vanished.”

I press a hand to my stomach, grounding myself. The implications are staggering. “How many?”

“Six men in eight years. All wealthy, all connected, all dead or ruined after being involved with her.”

“She's not just Bennato's woman,” I whisper. “She is his weapon.”

“Every man she's been tied to ends up dead or ruined,” Nick confirms. “Elena, she's dangerous.”

The confirmation I'd been dreading settles over me. I'd known, on some level, but hearing it confirmed makes it real in a way that terrifies me.

“How does she do it? How does she get away with it?”

“She's smart. She moves around a lot, never stays in one place too long. Changes her appearance, her accent, her entire persona. She's like a chameleon.”

“And the authorities?”

“Look the other way. Money, connections, and the fact that she's never technically been convicted of anything. She's clean on paper.”

I sink into a nearby chair. “Nick, this is bigger than just Francesco Bennato. This is international. This is...”

“This is a story that could get you killed.”

The bluntness of his statement cuts through my journalistic excitement. This isn't just about bylines and accolades. This is about survival.

“Don't do anything yet,” I say. “Sit on the information for now.”

“Elena, this information... it's explosive. If we sit on it too long she might come after you again.”

“I know. But I need to think this through. I need to figure out the best way to handle this.”

“The best way is to turn it over to the authorities. Let them deal with her.”

“Which authorities? The ones who've been looking the other way for years?”

Nick is quiet for a moment. When he speaks, his voice is careful. “You're thinking about taking this to Renat.”

“I'm thinking about staying alive long enough to see justice done.”

“That's not the same thing,” Nick reprimands.

“Isn't it?”

“From where I'm sitting, it looks like you're about to choose between your principles and your life.”

The words sting because they're true. “I need time to think.”

“You don't have time. If she suspects you know...”

“She can’t. I’ve only just found out.”

Nick exhales sharply. “Fine,” he says, relenting. “Watch your back. If I'm right about this woman, she's not going to hesitate to tie up loose ends.”