Chapter 2
I moved Sienna and Mila upstairs first.
That angered Gavin.
Good.
He wanted the conversation to remain near him because fear works best when the person causing it stays visible.
Mrs. Carter, one of my oldest housekeepers, took Mila to wash the dirt from her knees.
Sienna refused the doctor at first.
I did not force her.
Then she winced when she sat down.
That ended the argument.
My physician examined her privately.
No labor.
No immediate danger.
The baby’s heartbeat was strong.
Only then did I breathe normally.
When we were alone, I placed Mila’s severed braid on the table.
Sienna stared at it.
“She loved that braid.”
“I know.”
Her eyes filled.
“She said she wanted hair like mine.”
I remembered.
Sienna used to braid Mila’s hair every morning.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Another thing someone had turned into punishment.
“What did she see?”
Sienna’s expression closed.
I waited.
Finally:
“Gavin pushed me.”
“Why?”
“I told him no.”
“To what?”
Silence.
“Sienna.”
She whispered:
“He wanted me to ask you for East Harbor.”
There.
Territory.
Not marriage.
Not anger.
Power.
Gavin wanted one of the most profitable Ferrante routes.
I had refused him twice.
Apparently he decided my daughter could become the third attempt.
“What does the baby have to do with it?”
Her hand moved protectively across her belly.
Sienna looked ashamed.
“He says once the baby is born, you’ll do anything I ask.”
I stared.
“He thinks a newborn grandson buys him territory.”
She nodded.
Then corrected herself.
“Not just territory.”
My jaw tightened.
“What else?”
She looked toward the door.
“Dad… he’s been telling people the baby will make him family enough to sit beside you.”
There it was.
May you like
Gavin did not only marry my daughter.
He planned to turn fatherhood into rank.
