Chapter 17 - Clara's Choice
Federal agents arrived before noon.
Dominic handed them the memory card.
He also handed them every company ledger Mateo had recovered.
His lawyers protested.
Dominic ignored them.
"If my companies were used, open them."
His attorney stared at him.
"You could lose everything."
Dominic looked toward Noah's playroom.
"I already almost did."
Clara watched from the hall.
Her phone rang.
The hospital.
Tyler's surgery had been moved forward.
A cancellation had opened a surgical slot.
The deposit was due that afternoon.
Clara felt the floor disappear beneath her.
She had refused Hargrove's money.
Her first Vale paycheck had not cleared.
She called the billing office.
No extension.
No exception.
When she hung up, Dominic was standing behind her.
"How much?"
Clara shook her head.
"No."
"Clara."
"I won't take money because of Noah."
"This isn't payment for Noah."
"Then what is it?"
Dominic considered the question.
"An advance on your salary."
"I don't have a salary."
"You do now."
She almost laughed despite herself.
"For what job?"
Dominic looked through the doorway.
Noah was stacking blocks with Dr. Foster.
"Child-care liaison."
"That's not a real job."
"It is if payroll approves it."
Clara's eyes filled.
She hated that.
She hated crying in front of powerful people.
Dominic continued.
"Same rules as any employee."
"I pay it back?"
"Through work."
"Interest?"
"No."
"Then it's charity."
"Fine."
He sighed.
"One percent."
Clara stared at him.
"That's ridiculous."
"It's a very competitive rate."
A sound came from the playroom.
Noah laughed.
Everyone stopped.
It was small.
Brief.
But unmistakable.
Dominic turned toward the sound.
His entire face changed.
Clara wiped her eyes.
"One percent."
Dominic nodded.
"Deal."
Then Mateo entered.
The softness vanished.
"Federal agents traced the transfer vehicle used to move Elena."
Dominic straightened.
"Where?"
"A private airfield."
Clara's heart sank.
"They flew her out?"
"No."
Mateo placed a photograph on the table.
A black SUV had arrived.
A man stepped out.
Clara recognized him from the news.
Victor Raines.
And beside Victor stood someone far more disturbing.
One of Dominic's own guards.
May you like
A man who had protected Noah since birth.
---
