Chapter 1 - THE CANE ABOVE HER HEAD.
Ethan Cole stood over Lena with the black cane raised above his shoulder.
“You should have remembered your place before you embarrassed me.”
Lena lay barefoot on the marble floor, breathing hard, one hand protecting her ribs. Eight-year-old Mia screamed for her mother while Nora held the child safely away.
Mr. Harris stood beside the elevator, frozen.
Ethan looked toward the guests gathering at the far end of the lobby.
“Go back to the ballroom. This is a private family correction.”
Lena stared up at him.
“A correction? You pushed me down because I refused to sign away my daughter’s trust.”
Ethan lifted the cane again.
Mr. Harris finally found his voice.
“Stop this now!”
The elevator chimed.
The doors opened, and Victor Grant stepped out in a black suit and dark glasses.
“Put the cane down.”
Ethan swung toward him instead.
Victor blocked the cane, turned Ethan’s momentum aside, and sent him safely to the floor with one controlled kick.
He stepped between Ethan and Lena.
“Nora, call an ambulance.”
Then he knelt beside Lena.
“You are safe now.”
Ethan laughed from the floor.
“No, she isn’t. Everyone in this hotel works for my family.”
Victor removed his glasses.
“Not everyone.”
May you like
Lena recognized him instantly.
He was the federal investigator Ethan had paid to disappear.
Related Stories
