Daniel Reed stood before his family with blazing eyes, demanding in protective fury to know who had touched his daughter as the little girl buried her face in his chest with a red mark burning across her cheek.

The hostile takeover of Reed Enterprises took less than twenty minutes. The board members, terrified of federal prison and completely intimidated by Daniel's terrifying control, voted unanimously to strip Robert of his title, shares, and pension.

Daniel walked out of the corporate headquarters, the bright afternoon sun glinting off his heavy silver wristwatch. He had severed his father's lifeline. The arrogant patriarch who demanded total obedience was now a penniless prisoner in his own home.

His encrypted phone buzzed in his pocket. It was Marcus.

"Sir. The corporate transition is complete," Marcus reported. "But we have a situation at the compound. Lily is awake."

Daniel’s blood ran cold. The ruthless, calculating predator vanished instantly, replaced entirely by the desperate, protective father. "Is she okay? Is she crying?"

"She is asking for you, Mr. Reed," Marcus said softly. "The medical team has examined her. The bruising on her arms and face is severe, but there is no permanent physical damage."

"I'm on my way," Daniel said, his jaw locked tight.

He drove back to the fortified compound with blinding speed. When he walked into the secure, darkened bedroom, Lily was sitting up in the plush bed, holding a small stuffed bear. Her fair, rosy face was still marred by the ugly red handprint, and the faint, purplish-red fingerprints were stark against her soft arms.

"Daddy," she whimpered, reaching out for him with trembling hands.

Daniel dropped to his knees beside the bed, pulling her gently into his broad chest. He buried his face in her hair, inhaling her sweet, innocent scent.

"I'm here, sweetheart. I'm right here," Daniel murmured, his voice thick with unshed tears. "You are safe. Nobody is ever going to hurt you again."