Chapter 7

Julian left me in the control room with Eli and a security guard named Marcus. He told me to lock the door. Then he went to find Arthur.

I couldn’t stay still. I told Marcus to watch Eli. I slipped out through the service corridor and found Julian in the donor lounge. Arthur Reeves was there, holding a glass of champagne. He was a small man with soft hands and a careful smile.

When he saw me, his smile died.

“Eliza,” he said. “You should not be here.”

“You lied to me,” I said.

Julian closed the lounge door. “You told me she drowned.”

Arthur set down his glass. “I told you what was necessary.”

“Necessary?” Julian’s voice was quiet. “You told me my daughter was dead.”

“I kept her alive.” Arthur looked at me. “Victor Kessler had men watching you. Sixteen years ago, he was going to use you to break your father. He wanted Thorne Capital. He wanted Julian to sign over shares. I staged the accident. I told Victor you were dead. I told Julian the same.”

“You told me my father rejected me,” I said.

Arthur’s eyes flickered. “I told you what would keep you hidden.”

“You notarized a lie.”

“I notarized a protection.”

Julian stepped closer. “You made me believe I lost my daughter. You made her believe I abandoned her. And Victor got my company.”

Arthur’s voice turned sharp. “Victor would have killed her. I made a deal. You signed the shares over. She lived.”

“You used her as leverage,” Julian said.

“I used the only thing Victor wanted.” Arthur straightened his tie. “It worked. She is still breathing.”

I wanted to hit him. I wanted to scream. But Eli was in the theater. I had to get back.

Julian grabbed Arthur by the lapel. “Where is Victor now?”

Arthur’s face went pale. “He’s here. He knows.”

Then Julian’s phone buzzed. He answered. Marcus’s voice was breathless.

“Mr. Thorne, they took the boy.”