“Did you really think I wouldn’t notice hotel phone records? Or that I wouldn’t hear her whispering in the dark?” Bianca’s voice was silk wrapped around steel. “Your daughter is very clever. Takes after her mother, I suppose.”
“If you hurt her—”
“Hurt her? Oh, Elise. I’m not going to hurt her. I’m going to teach her what happens when children don’t mind their own business.”
The line went quiet, and then I heard Ava’s voice, smaller and more frightened than before.
“Mom? I’m sorry, I just wanted to help—”
“Don’t apologize, baby,” I said quickly. “You did exactly the right thing. You’re so brave, just like—”
“That’s enough family bonding,” Bianca interrupted. “Here’s how this is going to work. You have until noon tomorrow to transfer controlling interest in Monroe Technologies to me. All of it. No lawyers, no board meetings, no delays.”
“Even if I wanted to do that, it’s legally impossible—”
“Then make it possible. Because if you don’t, little Ava is going to have a very unpleasant accident. The kind that happens to nosy children who make phone calls in the middle of the night.”
Damon leaned forward. “Bianca, please. She’s just a child. Whatever you want from us, we’ll give it to you. Just don’t hurt her.”
“Oh, how touching. Daddy trying to save his little girl. Too bad you weren’t this concerned when you were screwing her aunt and destroying her mother’s life.”
“That’s not—”
“It’s exactly what happened. And now you’re both going to pay for it.” Her voice turned deadly serious. “Noon tomorrow. Monroe Technologies building, penthouse level. Both of you. Alone. Come to make the transfer, and maybe—maybe—I’ll let Ava live.”
“We’ll be there,” I said immediately.
“I know you will. Because you don’t have a choice.” She paused. “Oh, and Elise? Don’t bother trying to be clever. I’ve been planning this for three years. Every contingency, every possible move you might make. You’re not as smart as you think you are.”
