Chapter 10

Thomas's POV:

I was reviewing quarterly reports when my phone rang. Victoria's name flashed on the screen.

Here we go.

"Dad, I need you to fire that secretary Julian brought back from Cleveland."

I didn't look up from my papers. "What did she do to you now? Can't you leave your brother alone for one goddamn day?"

"Brother?" Victoria's voice climbed higher. "He's a bastard, Dad. He doesn't belong—"

"Victoria." I set down my pen. "Watch your mouth. When did you become so bitter? You sound just like your mother."

Silence. Then: "Are you seriously defending him?"

"I brought Julian back because this company needs him. The board needs him. You need to be civil." I rubbed my temple. "And if I hear you call him that again, I'm canceling every single one of your credit cards."

Victoria made a strangled sound. "Fine. Forget Julian. Just fire his secretary."

"His secretary?"

"Yes. That Maya Bennett woman."

Maya Bennett. The name had come up twice in the past week. I leaned back in my chair. "Why?"

"She disrespected me. Talked back. How can someone like that represent Garrison Industries?"

"No."

"What?" Victoria sounded genuinely shocked. "Why not?"

"If you didn't provoke her, she wouldn't have talked back. She hasn't done anything wrong. Why would I fire her?" I picked up my pen again. "You think anyone else will want to work here if word gets out we fire employees for no reason?"

"Dad!"

"Enough. Stop causing trouble everywhere you go." I hung up.

I tossed the phone onto my desk and stared out at the harbor.

Two days ago, James Cooper—Adam Sterling's right hand—had called me directly.

"Mr. Garrison, Mr. Sterling was quite impressed with Ms. Maya Bennett during their brief interaction in Cleveland. Mr. Sterling would like to invite her for a follow-up conversation."

"Additionally," James had continued, smooth as silk, "regarding Garrison's proposal for the tech park project—Mr. Sterling has some concerns. He'd like Ms. Bennett to personally deliver the revised documents for his review."

I'd hung up knowing exactly what that meant.

I pressed the intercom. "Anna. Maya Bennett. Which department?"

"She's Mr. Julian Garrison's executive assistant, sir. He brought her back from Cleveland eight days ago."

I'd immediately arranged for the revised proposal to be ready. Had personally ensured Maya would be the one delivering it to Sterling Global.

I didn't know what Adam Sterling wanted with Maya Bennett. Didn't particularly care, either.

What mattered was this: Adam Sterling had made a request. A personal one.

And I was smart enough to recognize an opportunity when it fell into my lap.

The Austin tech park deal is worth hundreds of millions. Garrison Industries desperately needs a piece of it. Needs Sterling's approval to supply the core components—the lidar systems, the chip packaging, all of it.

If Maya Bennett is the key to Adam Sterling's favor?

I'll hold onto her tight.

---

Maya's POV

I practically ran back to Garrison Industries after escaping Victoria on the street.

My hands were still shaking when I reached Julian's office.

He looked up from his computer. "You're back. Thank God." He stood. "Sterling didn't give you trouble?"

I twisted my hands together. "Actually... something happened."

"What?"

"I ran into Victoria outside Sterling Global." The words came out in a rush. "She... she threatened to call your father. Said she'd have me fired."

Julian's expression darkened. "Don't worry. Victoria doesn't run this company. She likes to think she does, but she doesn't." He sat back down. "My father brought me back to Boston for a reason. Victoria can throw tantrums all she wants, but she can't touch my team."

Relief flooded through me. "You're sure?"

"I'm sure." He gestured to the door. "Go. Get back to work. Stop worrying about my sister."

I nodded and left his office.

Back at my desk, I shut down my computer and grabbed my bag.

Finally. Time to pick up Amy.

I glanced at the clock. 5:35 PM. If I left now, I'd make it to Sunny Days before six-thirty.

Tomorrow's Saturday. No work. No Adam. No Victoria.

Just me and Amy.

I headed for the elevator.

---

By the time I picked up Amy from Sunny Days, I felt almost human again.

"Mama!" She threw her arms around my legs. "Can we have sandwiches for dinner?"

"Of course, baby."

At home, I made Amy's favorite. Turkey, cheese, lettuce, mayo on white bread. Cut into triangles because she insisted triangles tasted better than squares.

After dinner, Amy curled up on the couch to watch a nature documentary. Something about lions in Africa.

I grabbed my phone and went into bedroom.

The call connected on the second ring. "Mmm... hello?"

"Did I wake you up?"

Chloe yawned loudly. "Maybe. What time is it?"

"Eight PM." I sat on the bed. "You were asleep at eight PM?"

"I was up late last night. Sue me." She yawned again. "What's up?"

"Are you free this weekend? I want to check out some used car dealerships."

"Oh shit, you're really doing it." Rustling sounds—probably Chloe stretching. "Yes. Absolutely. You need me. I'm excellent at negotiating."

"I know you are."

"Why used though?" Chloe asked. "There are decent new cars in your price range. You could finance—"

"I want to keep the monthly payments low," I said. "My budget's around twenty thousand. I'd rather buy used and put the savings toward a down payment on an apartment."

"You want to buy a place?"

"Eventually. I can't keep moving Amy around, Chloe. She needs stability. A real home."

Silence on the other end.

Then: "You're a good mom, Maya."

My throat tightened. "I'm trying."

"You are. Trust me." Chloe's voice softened. "Okay. I'll pick you both up tomorrow morning. We'll find you a car."

"Thank you."

"Anytime."

"I'll see you tomorrow."

"See you."

I hung up and stared at the phone for a moment.

Then it rang.

Unknown number. Boston area code.

I frowned and answered. "Hello?"

Silence.

"Hello?" I said again. "Who is this?"

Nothing. Just breathing on the other end.

"If this is a prank—"

The line went dead.

I stared at the screen.

Probably a wrong number. Someone who realized mid-call they'd dialed incorrectly.

I tossed my phone onto the nightstand and went back to the living room.

Amy looked up from the TV. "Mama, look! Baby elephants!"

I sat beside her and pulled her close.

"They're so cute, baby."

Amy smiled and leaned into me.

On screen, a mother elephant wrapped her trunk around her calf.

I kissed the top of Amy's head and tried not to think about anything else.