Chapter 2 - THE WOMAN I THOUGHT I'D LOST FOREVER
Richard Mercer had made a serious mistake.
He thought the terror on his bodyguard's face meant I was about to hurt him.
That wasn't what frightened the guard.
The guard knew I didn't need to raise my voice to end a businessman's career in Chicago.
He also knew I had a history with people who threatened children.
Mercer swallowed.
"Mr. Hayes. I didn't realize—"
"That these girls were frightened?" I asked.
He hesitated.
"There's been a misunderstanding."
I looked at Claire.
"Is there?"
Her hands were trembling.
Mercer answered before she could.
"Claire and I are discussing a private family matter."
"No," Claire said.
The word was quiet.
But clear.
Mercer turned.
"Claire."
She straightened.
"We are not family, Richard."
His jaw tightened.
"Think carefully."
I placed Lily gently into the empty chair beside me.
"That's enough."
Mercer looked at me.
"You don't understand the situation."
"Then explain it."
He glanced toward the girls.
"Not in front of the children."
I stood.
He took a step backward.
"I'm going to make this simple," I said. "Mrs. Bennett has told you no. You are going to respect that."
Mercer opened his mouth.
I continued.
"And if you believe she owes you something, you can have your attorney explain it to hers."
His expression changed.
"Attorney?"
"Yes."
Claire looked startled.
Mercer forced a smile.
"Of course."
But his eyes had gone cold.
"This isn't finished, Claire."
He turned and walked toward the door.
His bodyguards followed.
Only after he disappeared did Claire exhale.
I looked at her.
"Are you safe?"
She nodded automatically.
Then shook her head.
"I don't know."
The admission frightened me more than anything Mercer had said.
I pulled out a chair.
"Sit down."
She hesitated.
I caught myself.
"Please."
She sat.
The oldest girl moved beside her immediately.
"Mommy, are we in trouble?"
Claire wrapped an arm around her.
"No, sweetheart."
I studied the children.
Four girls.
All wearing matching coats.
The oldest appeared ten.
The next two looked about eight and seven.
Lily was five.
"Would someone like hot chocolate?" I asked.
Four heads turned.
Lily raised both hands.
"With marshmallows?"
"Especially marshmallows."
The girls smiled.
Claire didn't.
She looked at me as though she was standing on the edge of a cliff.
"Alexander," she whispered, "we need to talk."
I nodded.
"I think we do."
Then the oldest girl looked at me.
"Are you really Alexander Hayes?"
"Yes."
She stared.
"My mom has a picture of you."
May you like
Claire closed her eyes.
And my heart stopped.
