Chapter 2
Arthur did not make it ten steps.
My men closed the ballroom doors before he reached them.
The music stopped.
Now everyone understood something was wrong.
I did not explain.
Not yet.
I carried the three luggage tags back into the service hall and placed them on the sideboard.
Michael Vale.
Natalie Vale.
Theresa Vale.
My children had been assigned a dead man’s surname while their real father stood fifty feet away carrying birthday gifts for them.
I looked at Miranda.
“Why Vale?”
She said nothing.
Gavin answered first.
“It was temporary.”
I almost smiled.
Temporary identities.
Temporary disappearance.
Temporary children.
“What happens after the van?”
Silence.
Milo pulled at my sleeve.
“Dad?”
I crouched.
“What?”
“Miranda said you wanted us somewhere safe.”
I looked at her.
“She said you were too busy being boss.”
My chest tightened.
Nora whispered:
“And you didn’t want little kids at the lake house anymore.”
Tess began crying again.
“No Daddy go.”
I closed my eyes for one second.
Miranda had not merely prepared them physically.
She had prepared the story.
Their father did not want them.
Their father was too busy.
Their father arranged this.
If they cried in the van, the adults could tell them Bennett sent you.
If they begged to come home, the adults could tell them home rejected you.
Perfect.
I stood.
Arthur Vale was brought into the service hall.
He looked angry, not afraid.
“Bennett, this is insane.”
I held up the tags.
His face changed.
“Why are my children wearing your name?”
“They aren’t.”
I put the tags against his chest.
“Then explain.”
Arthur looked at Vincent.
There.
Again.
Same direction.
I turned toward my uncle.
He had entered calmly behind the guards.
“Enough theater,” Vincent said.
I stared.
“My children were strapped to luggage.”
“And they’re unharmed.”
Wrong sentence.
“You had one chance to enter this room as family.”
My voice dropped.
“You just used it.”
Vincent’s jaw tightened.
Then Miranda whispered:
“He was supposed to explain after they left.”
I looked at her.
“Explain what?”
May you like
She swallowed.
“Why the Ferrante heirs couldn’t stay Ferrante.”
