The only information that mattered to Darius was about the girl. She was still alive. That needed to change.
“I don’t think I have to tell you what’s at stake, do I, Mars?”
“No, sir.”
“We could lose everything if we don’t clean this up and soon.”
“I’ll take care of it,” Mars vowed.
“No,” Darius said slowly. “I want the girl.”
“Sir?”
“The girl belongs to me. Bring her to me. Take care of anything or anyone who stands in your way.”
“Anythingandanyone?” Mars didn’t need the clarification as much as he wanted to savor his directive.
“Whatever it takes.”
This time, when there was a knock on his office door, Darius responded.
“Just a minute!”
He looked back at Mars, but the man was already slipping out a different exit. Mars had his orders. He would carry them out flawlessly. All Darius had to do was wait. The girl would be his soon enough, and he would show her exactly what a mistake it was for her to run.
“Come in,” he finally called.
His son breezed through the door with all the confidence and polish he was bred to have. Dressed in an expensive navy suit accented with a blue tie and matching pocket square, he wore the million-dollar smile that was made perfect by years of orthodontia.
“You’re not going to believe this.” Cassius Boyd waved a piece of paper in the air as if it were a first prize ribbon from a county fair.
“I don’t know about that. If it’s good news for you, I’ll believe it.”
“It’s the best possible news. I got a call from Patty Whitfield with MLD Holdings. They are giving me their endorsement. They pledged half a million dollars to start.”
Darius flashed a bright smile that he knew would please his son. “Wonderful! We should celebrate. Dinner at Château de Lumière? My treat.”
Cassius beamed. “Sounds perfect. I’ll tell Nyla. She’ll be up for dinner at her favorite French restaurant. Will Mom be able to join us?”
Darius barely suppressed a look of disdain. “Octavia left earlier today for New York. I don’t believe she plans to be back until Sunday.”
“Then she’ll be back for the next speaking engagement?”
Darius dipped his head in a brief nod. “Yes. She won’t miss it. We’ll both be there. We want to be with you every step that you’re on the campaign trail.”
“All our plans are coming together, Dad.”
This time, Darius’ smile was genuine. “That they are, Cass. We’re going to have everything we deserve.”
Chapter Twenty-One
“You all right?”
Paige turned from the window and smiled at Bailee as she came into view with Dylan resting on her hip. She had just changed the little guy’s diaper in one of the back bedrooms of Ben’s house. Paige had taken advantage of the moment of solitude to study the neighborhood through the front window, careful to stay out of sight of anyone passing by as Ben had instructed her to.
“Honestly, I think I’m going a little stir crazy.”
Bailee chuckled as she placed Dylan on the floor where he could play with his toy cars. Ziggy watched the little boy with feigned disinterest from the platform of his scratching post. Bailee curled her legs underneath her as she snuggled deep into the couch cushions.
