Chapter 9
The Calder men entered the west garden.
I let them.
Richard smiled when I gave the order.
Finally confident again.
“Good.”
I looked at him.
“What?”
“You’ve decided to be reasonable.”
“No.”
He frowned.
“I’ve decided I want everyone in the same room.”
That bothered him.
Good.
Calvin Calder entered first.
Seventy.
Silver hair.
Dark coat.
A man who smiled like contracts existed even when nothing was written.
Three men followed.
He saw Richard.
Then Daniel.
Then me.
Then Lily.
His eyebrows lifted.
“The child is still here.”
Silence.
I looked at Richard.
Calvin continued:
“You said she’d already be moved.”
Daniel’s face emptied.
Margaret closed her eyes.
Richard said sharply:
“Plans changed.”
Calvin laughed softly.
“They always do around you.”
I looked at him.
“What exactly were you promised?”
Richard interrupted.
“Emma.”
I raised one hand.
My guards moved closer.
Richard stopped.
Calvin smiled.
“I like her already.”
“What were you promised?”
“West Hart crews.”
“By whom?”
“Richard.”
“And Daniel?”
Calvin glanced at him.
“Decoration.”
Daniel flinched.
I almost felt pity.
Almost.
“And Mark?”
“Temporary security.”
Mark closed his eyes.
Everyone disposable.
Calvin looked at Lily.
“And the girl was insurance.”
My blood went cold.
He said it casually.
As if describing weather.
Lily hid behind my captain.
Calvin noticed.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart.”
I stepped between them.
His smile widened.
“Touchy.”
Richard said:
“She overreacts to everything involving the child.”
Calvin laughed.
“That’s why she’s useful.”
I looked at both men.
Not anger.
Clarity.
They truly believed this was strategy.
Children were handles.
Wives were leverage.
Sons were titles.
Homes were traps.
I asked Calvin:
“What happens if I refuse?”
He shrugged.
“Richard said you wouldn’t.”
“And if he was wrong?”
Calvin looked at Lily again.
My captain stepped forward.
Calvin smiled.
“That.”
He didn’t need to finish.
Daniel finally moved.
“Don’t look at my daughter.”
Richard turned on him.
“Oh, now you’re a father?”
Daniel froze.
Richard continued:
May you like
“You left her chained outside.”
And even the enemy understood exactly what Daniel had become.
