Page 60 of Her Courage

Icouldn't focus on anything in this meeting. The numbers blurred on the projection screen as the finance manager droned on about depreciation schedules and capital investments. It was important information—crucial even for the acquisition I'd been pursuing for months—but my mind kept drifting back to Patrice.

My mother was out on bail.

The knowledge sat like ice in my stomach. Marshall had called this morning with the news, his voice carefully controlled as he delivered the information.

"No idea where she got the money," he'd said. "Her accounts are frozen. Rupert's too."

I'd immediately pictured loan sharks. Or worse, Patrice manipulating one of my sisters into helping her. The thought of Sierra or Monica being dragged into this nightmare made my jaw clench so tight it ached.

"Mr. Wulf? Did you have any questions about the projections?"

I snapped back to attention, finding the entire room staring at me. The finance manager—Peterson—looked nervous, his forehead beaded with sweat. Beside me, Andrei subtly slid his notepad over. He'd been taking detailed notes while I mentally checked out.

"Actually," I said smoothly, scanning Andrei's meticulous handwriting, "I'd like to discuss your assumptions on the third-quarter projections. They seem optimistic given the current maintenance issues."

Peterson launched into a detailed explanation, giving me time to reorient myself. I nodded at Andrei in silent thanks.

Thank god for him. Between Andrei and his assistant, they'd kept this meeting on track while I mentally spiraled. Just one more thing to feel guilty about.

I forced myself to engage for the remainder of the presentation, asking pointed questions about the family-owned manufacturing company's operations. They desperately needed capital to modernize their equipment, and we could provide it while preserving the legacy the current owner's grandfather had built.

When the meeting finally concluded, I shook hands and smiled appropriately, though the effort felt mechanical.

"We'll be in touch by the end of the week," I assured them, ushering them toward the door.

As soon as it closed behind them, Andrei turned to me. "What's going on? You've been a million miles away since we sat down."

"Patrice made bail," I said flatly. "Marshall called this morning."

Andrei's expression darkened. "How? Her accounts are frozen."

"That's the question, isn't it?" I ran a hand over my face, suddenly exhausted. "If she's taken out another loan with some loan shark, I might have to murder her myself. Or if she's somehow manipulated Sierra or Monica..."

"Mikhail delivered the papers," Andrei reminded me. "He said she shrieked, turned red, and slammed the door in his face. Doesn't sound like someone who's going to play nice."

"I know." I sank into my chair, the weight of everything pressing down on me. "I can't help thinking about what she might do next. She's cornered now, and that makes her dangerous."

Andrei's expression was calculating as he leaned against the conference table. I recognized that look—he was strategizing, considering all angles like the tactician he'd been trained to be.

"We have security in place," he said finally. "At the house, in the parking garage on Lottie's and our floors, at the club. Sergei's people are the best."

"I know. I just..." I trailed off, unsure how to articulate the dread pooling in my gut. This went beyond rational concerns about security. This was primal—the fear of a child who'd grown up with a viper for a mother, always waiting for the next strike.

"You're withdrawing," Andrei said bluntly, his amber eyes sharp as they studied my face. "Like you did after she confronted Lottie."

I wanted to deny it, but he knew me too well. "Maybe."

"It's not going to help." His voice softened slightly, concern bleeding through his usually stoic demeanor. "Lottie needs you present. We all do."

"I'm trying," I insisted, but even to my own ears, it sounded weak.

Andrei pushed off from the table, pulling out his phone. His fingers tapped rapidly against the screen.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Calling in reinforcements."

Fifteen minutes later, there was a soft knock at the conference room door. Andrei opened it to reveal Lottie, her expression concerned as she stepped inside.