The Name Inside the Ring

Chapter 2: The Girl Who Ran

The woman did not hesitate.

Her name was Victoria Rosewood, though most people knew her as Victoria Lane. She had buried the Rosewood name years ago because it carried too much grief, too much money, and too many enemies.

But the little girl had brought it back with one sentence.

Victoria followed her through the restaurant, past startled waiters and half-turned guests. The man from the next table moved faster. He wore a gray coat, kept his head low, and never once looked back.

That made Victoria more certain.

He was not curious.

He was hunting.

The girl slipped through the side exit into the alley. Victoria reached the door just in time to see the man grab the girl's arm.

"Where did you get that name?" he demanded.

The girl cried out.

Victoria stepped into the alley.

"Let her go."

The man turned.

For a second, his face showed recognition.

Then fear.

"Miss Rosewood," he said.

Victoria's blood went cold.

He knew her real name.

The girl pulled free and ran behind Victoria, clutching the rose basket to her chest.

The man raised both hands. "This is family business."

"No," Victoria said. "This is a child."

The man smiled tightly. "That child is the reason people have died."

Victoria crouched beside the girl. "What is your name?"

The girl looked at her carefully.

"Lily."

The name hit Victoria like a hand around her throat.

Her missing sister had loved that name.

"Your mother," Victoria asked slowly, "what is her name?"

Lily whispered, "Anna."

Victoria nearly fell back.

Anna Rosewood.

Her sister.

The girl pulled a folded paper from inside her basket.

"Mom said if someone with the rose ring ever asked, I should give this to her."

Victoria opened it.

The note had only one line.

Vicky, if this child finds you, then Father lied to both of us.

Victoria looked up.

The man in the gray coat was gone.

And across the street, a black car was already starting its engine.