Chapter 1
“You hid the bruises because you knew exactly who would see them.”
Ryan’s face changed.
Linda’s did too.
That was the first thing I noticed.
Not outrage.
Recognition.
Emily stood behind me with one hand across her stomach and the other gripping the back of my jacket. I could feel her shaking through the fabric.
Two of my men blocked Ryan.
Two more blocked Linda.
Nobody touched Emily.
I wanted that distinction clear.
I turned toward my daughter.
“Are you hurt anywhere else?”
Her eyes filled.
Ryan answered for her.
“She falls.”
I looked over my shoulder.
“I wasn’t speaking to you.”
He stopped.
Emily swallowed.
“Dad…”
“What?”
“Please just take me home.”
Not punish him.
Not destroy the room.
Home.
That word told me how exhausted she was.
I removed my jacket and placed it around her shoulders without covering her arms completely. I would not help anyone hide what had already been hidden too long.
Then Linda snapped:
“She is seven months pregnant and emotional. Don’t let her turn one disagreement into a family crisis.”
Emily flinched.
I saw it.
Another practiced sentence.
“How many disagreements leave fingerprints?”
Linda’s mouth closed.
Ryan stared at me.
“You’re making assumptions.”
“No.”
I looked at Emily’s arm.
“I’m looking.”
Silence.
Then Emily whispered something I barely heard.
“They told me you knew.”
My breathing slowed.
“Knew what?”
Her face crumpled.
“That this was happening.”
Ryan closed his eyes.
Linda went perfectly still.
May you like
And suddenly the bruises were no longer the worst thing in the room.
Someone had been using my name to teach my pregnant daughter that asking me for help would change nothing.
