Chapter 3
Victor greeted Ethan like nothing was wrong.
That told Ethan almost everything he needed.
The older man stood beside the ballroom fireplace holding a fresh drink.
Silver hair.
Dark suit.
Calm eyes.
“You came home early.”
Ethan looked at him.
“My daughters were eating mold.”
Victor sighed.
“There has been tension in the house.”
“Tension?”
“Vanessa has struggled.”
“With feeding children?”
Victor’s mouth tightened.
“Four girls at that age are difficult.”
Ethan stared.
Victor continued.
“You’ve been away.”
There it was.
The first shift.
Not Vanessa.
Ethan.
“You left other people to handle your home.”
Ethan did not argue.
Part of that was true.
He had left.
But responsibility and blame were not the same thing.
“Did you disconnect their heaters?”
Victor frowned.
“No.”
“Maintenance says your order.”
“My name is used for half the house.”
Ethan nodded.
“Convenient.”
Grant laughed from across the ballroom.
His face had begun swelling.
“The great Ethan Caldwell finally discovers delegating has consequences.”
Ethan turned.
Grant spread his arms.
“What?”
“Months overseas.”
“Four kids at home.”
“Now you want to look shocked because dinner wasn’t perfect?”
Harper stood in the ballroom doorway behind Thomas.
She had followed.
Grant saw her.
His smile turned cruel.
“There’s the little spy.”
Harper stopped.
Ethan’s expression changed.
Grant continued.
“Go on.”
“Cry.”
“Maybe Daddy leaves again.”
Harper immediately backed away.
Ethan took one step toward Grant.
Victor intervened.
“Enough.”
Not for Harper.
For Grant.
Grant closed his mouth.
That told Ethan something too.
Grant obeyed Victor.
Ethan looked back at his uncle.
“Why did Harper say you told Vanessa not to let me see them yet?”
Victor laughed.
“She’s three.”
Grant added:
“Three-year-olds lie.”
From the doorway Harper whispered:
“I don’t.”
Grant smiled.
“Of course not.”
Then mockingly:
“You’re perfect.”
Ethan looked at Victor.
“Answer.”
Victor’s face hardened.
“I told Vanessa the girls should stay upstairs until after the toast.”
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
“What toast?”
Silence.
Several guests looked away.
Ethan noticed.
Victor corrected himself.
“Christmas toast.”
“No.”
Ethan looked around.
“The Christmas toast happens before dinner.”
Victor said nothing.
Tonight it had not happened.
The tables were full.
Guests were waiting.
Champagne remained untouched in front of several senior capos.
Ethan suddenly understood.
They had not gathered only for Christmas.
“What toast?”
Victor’s expression changed.
Very slightly.
Then Vanessa appeared at the ballroom entrance.
“You weren’t supposed to find them before midnight.”
Silence.
Ethan turned.
Vanessa froze.
Another sentence escaped too early.
Ethan looked at the clock.
10:17 p.m.
May you like
Whatever Victor had planned—
the starving children were supposed to remain hidden until after midnight.
