Chapter 9
“You’re doing it wrong,” I said.
“I am removing the food.”
“You’re spreading it.”
He looked at the orange streak across Lily’s cheek.
“That appears to be true.”
I took the cloth and cleaned her face.
Our hands brushed.
Vincent withdrew immediately.
The small act of restraint settled somewhere deep inside me.
“Did you have children?” I asked.
His gaze moved to Lily.
“No.”
“Did you want them?”
Celia became very interested in the dishes.
Vincent leaned back in his chair.
“Once.”
The answer held an entire history.
I did not ask for more.
Not yet.
Later, after Lily was asleep, I sat on the nursery floor with my back against the bed. The key lay on a folded towel in front of me.
I photographed both sides and sent the images to my sister, along with the house address and a message explaining that I was safe.
I left out Vincent’s identity.
For now.
A quiet knock came at the door.
“Who is it?”
“Vincent.”
I opened the door only a few inches.
He held a mug.
“Tea.”
“What kind?”
“Celia said chamomile.”
“Did you make it?”
“No.”
“Then it’s probably safe.”
His mouth curved.
I opened the door wider.
He handed me the mug but remained in the hallway.
“I wanted to tell you something before tomorrow.”
I waited.
“Daniel Cross was an investigative accountant.”
“I thought Ryan said he was investigating your family.”
“He investigated financial structures. Shell companies. Hidden ownership. He was very good at finding connections people believed were invisible.”
“And Belladonna hired him?”
“No. My father did.”
That surprised me.
“To investigate his own company?”
“Near the end of his life, my father became convinced that someone inside Belladonna was moving money without his knowledge.”
“Did he find out who?”
“He died before Daniel completed the audit.”
“How did your father die?”
May you like
“Heart failure.”
There was no hesitation.
